Preschool Assistant Teacher

Classification: Part-Time, Non-Exempt

Hours: 20 hrs/wk, Monday-Thursday, 8:00am-1:00pm

Ministry Area: Westwood Preschool

Location: Chanhassen

Reports to: Preschool Director

Westwood’s Way of Life:

Be and love like Jesus

Westwood’s Purpose and Mission: 

To know God and share Jesus through loving others here, near, and far

Ministry Area Purpose: 

The Westwood Preschool exists to provide opportunities for children to learn and grow socially, emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically in God’s grace, spilled out to them through people and programs that will foster and nurture God’s love for them.

Role:

To assist Lead Teacher in implementation of programming, reflecting, and satisfying objectives established in the Westwood Preschool Operations Manual in conjunction with NAEYC accreditation standards and DHS licensing requirements.

Responsibilities:

· Assist in planning and implementing of the scope and sequence of instruction to impart a developmentally appropriate curriculum for 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds

· Assist in lesson plan development and implementation under the guidance of the Lead Teacher through offering activities to nurture the spiritual, emotional, social, intellectual, and physical needs of preschool-aged children

· Establish and maintain standards of child behavior appropriate for children to achieve a functional and healthy learning environment.

· Provide constant and consistent supervision of the children according to DHS and NAEYC standards

· Prepare and clean up snack for the classroom

· Assist children with self-help skill development including coats, bags, toileting, etc. 

· Assist children and parents in car line during arrival and departure and take attendance as the children arrive

· Assist in creating safe, functional, and attractive environments for learning, including displays, bulletin boards, learning centers, instructional equipment, etc. 

· Maintain professional competence through participation in educational staff development and in-service activities. Meet and exceed DHS and NAEYC Accreditation standards. 

· Attend and participate in monthly staff meetings and occasional evening events including Preschool programs and Westwood staff events

· Carry out other responsibilities as assigned by supervisor

· Align to and live out the Westwood Staff Values 

• Head High 
• Heart Soft 
• Arms Linked 
• Feet Forward 

· Someone who lives a life that honors God in heart, actions, and relationships, with the goal of becoming more like Jesus

· Meet Preschool lead teaching qualifications set by the State of Minnesota, preferred 

· Must meet requirements of education and experience as outlined in DHS staff qualifications rules; 2-year degree or CDA minimum with additional work experience in early childhood setting

· Knowledge of and the capacity to assist in providing engaging preschool activities and experiences for children in which they will grow spiritually, emotionally, socially, intellectually, and physically

· Proficient with Microsoft Office tools

· Ability to relate to and communicate effectively with children, parents, fellow staff, and church community

· Physically able to assist children for safety and supervision indoors and outside throughout the preschool day. Including but not limited to; ability move quickly, navigate stairs, lift, bend, stoop, climb, kneel, and reach as needed. Able to assist children into and out of cars in all weather conditions. 

· Ability to handle confidential information professionally

· Ability to relate to other Westwood staff and church attenders at large

· Endorse and support Westwood’s Statement of Faith

· Remain a member in good standing of Westwood Community Church