SUBSTITUTE TEACHER ASSISTANT - Preschool or School Age

SUMMARY: Assists the Teacher and Master Teacher with assuming responsibility for general supervision, development and education of children within their assigned classroom.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following as well as other duties and responsibilities that may be assigned.

Direct Services

• Assist in the planning and implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum and activities for children.
• Establish a climate of respect for each child’s individual personality, physical characteristics and traits, culture, language and ethnic characteristics, family structure, developmental needs and behaviors.
• Relate to all children in encouraging and positive ways.
• Interact daily with each child and support his or her learning process – including but not limited to…
• Assisting the child in developing problem solving skills.
• Contributing to the child’s social-emotional development.
• Modeling pro-social behaviors for the child.
• Teaching children to be responsible for their decisions and actions.
• Guiding children’s behaviors in a positive way that teaches self-respect along with respect for others and the community around them.
• Provide direct support, engagement, and extension of a child’s play and learning experiences by offering assistance, providing additional materials or resources, and creating opportunities for safe risks.
• Establish and maintain a positive relationship with each child’s parent and/or caregiver
• Using a team approach, assist in maintaining DRDP and Portfolio for each child and implement the individual goals and objectives that are set for each child.
• Replenish materials in the learning environment as needed.
• Prepare healthy snacks for children as necessary.
• Provide quality services to children and their families in accordance with NAEYC standards.
• Fully comply with Title 5, State Department of Education, Child Development Division Funding Terms and Conditions and Title 22, Community Care Licensing regulation.
• Maintain confidentiality of children, families and employees.Provide support to Teacher, Master Teacher, Site Supervisor/Regional Director.

Health and Safety

• Report safety hazards and injuries to Master Teacher and Site Supervisor/Regional director immediately.
• Observe safety hazards ensuring that rules are observed by children.
• Keep floors and other necessary spaces clean and free from any potentially dangerous situations.
• Follow health and safety standards for food handling, toileting of young children, hand washing, and universal precautions with exposure to blood.
• Watch for signs of illness in children at all times and direct ill children to the proper medical attention.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

· All other duties as assigned by Master Teacher, Site Supervisor/Regional Director, Program Director, Deputy Director, HR Manager or Executive Director.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

· Requires general knowledge of child care and associated development, including federal, state and local laws and regulations governing child care and safety; knowledge of sound techniques in all aspects child care and development.

· Must be organized, creative, independent and self-motivated, enthusiastic, dependable, detail-oriented, flexible in scheduling and prioritization, and driven by excellence.

· Must possess exceptional communication skills to present facts and recommendations effectively in oral and written form, including accurate grammar and business correspondence knowledge.

· Interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective relationships; demonstrated ability to communicate in situations requiring tact and poise; skilled in confidentiality and discretion.

· Must present a neat, professional appearance.

· Must be able to adjust tasks and focus with composure, and in accordance with changing deadlines and priorities.

· Requires a good sense of humor and belief in working as a professional, cohesive team member.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

· Must be at least 18 years of age.

· 6 units ECE/CD.

· Assistant Permit required or ability to apply within 90 days of hire. Alternative qualifications accredited HERO program including ROP.

· Must be able to assist in developing and implementing age-appropriate curriculum.

· Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, criminal record clearance and child abuse index check.

· Current pediatric CPR and first aid certificate required. Must be obtained from an approved vendor.

· Must be in good health as verified by a current health screening, including a test for tuberculosis, performed under the supervision of a physician not more than one year prior to employment.

· Must have a current California driver’s license.

· Bilingual in English/Spanish an asset.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

· Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals and governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedures with conformance to the prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from government entities, employees, managers, clients, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

· Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Ability to calculate figures & amounts with a 10 Key.

REASONING ABILITY:

· Ability to define and solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables, occasionally in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT: physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met (or may be encountered) by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls, stand, reach with hands and arms, and walk. Occasionally required to sit, climb or balance; stoop, kneel, or crouch; lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

· Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outdoor weather conditions and wet (humid) conditions and is occasionally exposed to the risk of electrical shock. Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and can sometimes be noisy.