Assistant Teacher

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED certificate


• Minimum of 1 year of teaching experience in a preschool or early childhood program


• Demonstrated ability or requisite personal qualities to work well with children and adults Actively enrolled in an AA or CDA program

PLACE CHILDREN AS THE FIRST PRIORITY

Family Relationships

• Establish and maintain regular 2-way communication


• Learn about children's individual needs to ensure a smooth transition between home and school

Emotional Support

• Create an emotional connection with students and among students with warmth, respect, and enjoyment communicated by verbal and nonverbal interactions (positive environment)


• Avoid negativity in the classroom (negative environment)


• Exercise awareness of and responsivity to students' academic and emotional needs by providing comfort, reassurance, and encouragement (teacher sensitivity)


• Interact with students in classroom activities and place an emphasis on students' interests, motivations, and points of view and encourage students responsibility and autonomy (regard for student perspectives)

Classroom Organization

• Provide clear behavioral expectations and use effective methods to prevent and redirect misbehavior (behavior management)


• Manage instructional time and routines and provide activities for students so that they have the opportunity to be involved in learning activities (productivity)


• Maximize students' interest, engagement, and ability to learn from lessons and activities (instructional learning formats)

Instructional Support

• Use instructional discussions and activities to promote students' higher-order thinking skills and cognition and focus on understanding rather than on rote instruction (concept development)


• Provide feedback that expands learning and understanding and encourages continued participation (quality of feedback)


• Focus on the quality and amount of use of language-stimulation and language-facilitation techniques (language modeling)

Harmonious Classroom

• Support children as they practice social skills and build friendships


• Counter potential bias and discrimination by treating children with equal respect and consideration


• Provides models and visual images of adult roles, differing abilities, and ethnic and cultural backgrounds


• Assist lead teacher with designing enriched learning environments

Curriculum

• Support teachers in the implementation of activities that support the social, emotional, physical, language, and cognitive development of children


• Engage in children's physical and cognitive play and ask open-ended questions to challenge a child's problem-solving abilities and language acquisition


• Plan and implement 1outdoor activities

Health, Safety, and Emergency Procedures

• Supervise children by positioning self to hear and see children at all times (refer to child supervision policies and procedures)


• Complete First Aid/CPR training in order to perform critical life-saving measures, when necessary


• Gain a thorough knowledge of and follow risk management plans


• Check children for signs of illness or accidents


• Dispense medication according to procedures


• Follow all HWCEC and DHS policies and procedures

Other

• Assist lead teacher with ensuring classroom meets Environmental Rating Scale


• Assist with laundry, classroom cleanliness, and equipment sanitization


• Records daily attendance


• Records food records, serves children and models during meal times


• Promotes teamwork and shows respect for team members


• Complete other duties as assigned by Team Lead or member of leadership team

Work Ethic and Professional Responsibilities

• Attend scheduled team meetings


• Acquire at least 25 hours of professional development annually


• Learn Environmental Rating Scale and GOLD Assessment


• Maintain professional appearance


• Meet program requirements for attendance


• Maintain professional composure during a busy working day

Employment is contingent on passing pre-employment background checks, drug screens and reference checks.