Under the supervision of the Director of Early Learning and the direction of the Classroom Teacher, a successful incumbent may work independently in the absence of the teacher but for the majority of the time works with the teacher in the classroom.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Relationships – assists in
- Building strong partnerships with families
- Establishing on-going community with families, children and co-workers
- Developing and maintaining effective classroom team
Curriculum – assists in
- Implementing developmentally appropriate practice in the five key areas of practice
- Planning and responsibility for and implementing weekly lesson plans in all domains using the Creative Curriculum Goals and Objectives
- Preparation of lesson plans in cooperation with the teachers
Teaching – assists in
- Creating an inviting and positive learning environment across all domains using Creative Curriculum
- Using intentional and purposeful multiple instructional methods
- Supervision of all classroom activities
- Implementing lesson plans with the assistance and cooperation of the teacher
Assessment – assists in
- Conducting ongoing observations and documentation of the children
- Maintaining portfolios and observation notes for every child with the assistance of the teacher Conducting yearly screening of every child
- Referring children for additional assessment to the appropriate professionals in a timely fashion
- Preparing Individual Child Profiles and Child Progress and Planning Reports for family conferences three times a year
Health and Safety – assists in
- Assuring a safe and secure environment in the classroom and throughout the center
- Promoting the complete physical, oral and mental health and social well-being of children because health is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity
Families
- Assists in establishing and maintaining positive and effective relationships with each child’s family to foster children’s development
- Is sensitive to the diversity of children, their families and co-workers, including but not limited to family composition, language and culture
- Maintains confidentiality of children and parents
- Assists in reinforcing a families’ responsibility in their child’s education, growth and development
Community Relationships – assists in
- Developing community resources outside the scope of the program
- Building reciprocal relationship with community groups to achieve the center’s goals for curriculum, health promotion, children’s transitions, inclusion and diversity
- Advocating on behalf of children and families
- Networking with other early care and education professionals
Physical Environment – assists in
- Setting up and maintaining the classroom’s physical environment to foster learning, comfort, health and safety of children, parents and colleagues
- Assuring that the classroom is accessible to all
Leadership and Management
- Knowledge of and adherence to the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct
- Knowledge of policies and procedures of the organization generally and of the center specifically
- Adherence to the policies and procedures of the organization and the center
- Be a role model for the classroom and for the center
- Be proactive in identifying problems and providing solutions
- Being a willing participant in continuing educational growth and development
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- An Early Childhood Certificate or
- Current CDA with 12 ECE credits or
- 3 or more ECE credits or currently enrolled in ECE education program at an accredited institution
- Experience and/or training in working with children under six years old
ESSENTIAL ABILITIES, SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPECTATIONS:
- Effective interpersonal skills, effective communication, organizational and guidance skills
- Ability to work effectively with diverse children, families and co-workers
- Specific preparation, knowledge and skill in Early Childhood Education
- Strong, positive and nurturing approach to the care and education of children
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds (picking up children when necessary and retrieve supplies)
- Ability to stand, walk, reach, stoop, kneel or crouch (To work with and communicate with children at their level and to keep classroom tidy)
- Move throughout the classroom (and outdoors) supervising children
- Stand for long periods of time
- Walk or run for long periods of time
- Sit on the floor for periods of time
- Walk up/down flight of stairs daily
This is a full time, non-exempt position, scheduled for 35 hours per week.