Assistant Teacher Pre-K Counts - Armstrong East

POSITION: HEAD START PRE-K COUNTS ASSISTANT TEACHER

RESPONSIBLE TO: Head Teacher/Program Manager

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Works in conjunction with other ELC staff to ensure that the education program objectives and activities are carried out in accordance with the PA Pre K Counts Requirements, PA Early Learning Standards and with fidelity of curriculum implementation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION:

• Assists the Head Teacher in planning and implementing a quality early childhood education program that is responsive to each child's emotional, social, intellectual, and physical needs in accordance with the curriculum and PA Pre-K Counts requirements.

• Assists in planning and preparing the learning environment, setting up centers, and preparing needed materials and supplies under the direction of the Head Teacher and in accordance with the curriculum and performance standards.

• Assist the Head Teacher in administering screening and education assessments.

• Assume responsibility of the classroom when the head teacher is absent.

• Plans and conducts a positive and nurturing environment geared to the individual child's interests, abilities, strengths and needs.

• Attend all regularly scheduled staff meetings.

• Proficient with technology as required for record keeping and documentation.

• Participates in recommended training programs/coaching sessions, conferences, courses, and other aspects of professional growth including maintaining PA Keys Registry Career Pathway.

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENT:

• Travel to other classrooms in the program to help provide coverage as needed.

• Communicates all progress and concerns with tact and professionalism to head teacher

• Maintains a clean, orderly physical environment ensuring classroom materials, furniture, and supplies are clean and sanitary.

• Assumes responsibility for the safety, education and care of all the children in his/her classroom while following the agency active supervision policy.

• Maintains supplies and equipment in good order and repair and submits, in advance, written requests of needed supplies, equipment, repairs, etc. to the Head Teacher/Program Manager.

• Assists with toileting/diapering.

• Observes and records behavior of individual children to assist with planning and activities.

• Proficient with technology as required for record keeping and documentation.

• Documents observations through Smart Teach/Teaching Strategies/Child Plus/BIR data.

• Completes and/or supervises attendance and meal count for all children enrolled in his/her classroom.

• Supervises housekeeping duties of staff and assists when necessary.

• Conducts and/or participates in monthly fire drills and submits reports to the Data Coordinator.

• Support the program-wide adoption of the teaching pyramid model (PBIS) to promote the development of young children's social-emotional competence and address challenging behavior.

• Consults with the Program Manager, Education Director and other Service Area Managers to ensure the needs of children and families are met.

• Enthusiastic personality that will engage preschool children.

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT AND COLLABORATION:

• Make adaptations for dual language learners in the classroom and when communicating with families.

• Establishes a positive rapport with parents of the children.

• Promote Early Learning Connections in the community by commonly sharing the responsibility of active recruitment of children.

• Create and maintain a positive organizational culture by demonstrating the program-wide behavioral expectations in their social interactions with children, families, community members and colleagues.

• Other duties as assigned by Supervisor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Completion of an undergraduate program at an accredited college or university with a

Bachelor's degree in early childhood education or child development and a PA Teaching Certificate PK-4 Level I.

• Agrees to successfully complete ELC's PA Induction Plan to move to a Level II Teaching Certification within 2 years of hire.

• Two years of experience caring for and educating children.

• Strong leadership and time management skills.

• Strong technical skills.

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be able to always maintain visual and auditory supervision of children to ensure their safety in the classroom, on the playground, and on field trips.

• Must be able to communicate with parents and preschool children in their spoken language or make accommodations and work closely with an interpreter.

• Must be able to lift pre-school children and move child-size furniture.

• Must be able to climb, stoop, crawl, kneel, and bend to speak to children at the child's eye level, play with children, and pick up toys and equipment from the floor.