Teacher Assistant - Early Childhood Education

WHAT MAKES VOA SPECIAL?
Volunteers of America Colorado believes unique challenges require unique and thoughtful solutions. VOA creates specialized programs to meet the critical needs of the communities we serve—our programs across Colorado look different because each community is distinct. We support Denver’s homeless veterans who have been underserved, and prepare preschoolers challenged by poverty to be successful in elementary school and beyond. Wherever we go we engage faith, relationship-building, and volunteers to lift-up and support Colorado’s most vulnerable citizens.

JOB SUMMARY:

Assist in the delivery of the preschool program (ages 3-5) based on the individual and group’s educational, intellectual, physical, social, and emotional potential of the children enrolled utilizing an ecological model that focuses on the child and family. Service modalities include Trauma Informed Care, Conscious Discipline, Motivational Interviewing, utilizing the domains of CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System), Head Start Child Development and Early Learning Framework, Creative Curriculum, and Teaching Strategies Gold. Job Duties include the responsibility for working alongside the Lead Teacher, Teacher Associate, and Foster Grandparents in managing the classroom’s physical and educational environment, partnering with families to support whole child development, collaborating with all team members and partners to consistently improve individual, team, and children’s learning outcomes, preparing and maintaining documentation in compliance with federal, state, and agency performance standards, creating a positive classroom climate to benefit the social-emotional and academic development of students and welcomes families. May need to work in different classrooms, the kitchen or step into a Teacher Associate roll during absences.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensures that the family’s voice is heard, and their ideas play a prominent role in programming.
• Assists in the implementation of high-quality, trauma-informed, large group and individualized lessons that align with Head Start, CLASS, and TSG performance standards.
• Supports top ECERS-R and CLASS ratings and creates a welcoming and warm environment for all students and their families.
• Utilizes lessons and studies from the Creative Curriculum and Conscience Discipline to guide children’s education.
• Engages in consistent data gathering, documentation, assessment, and analysis of student’s performance.
• Discusses children’s ongoing development in collaboration with the Education Coordinator, School Nurse, Mental Health and Developmental consultants. Provides thorough documentation when referrals are made for students in need of further evaluation.
• Maintains accurate records of students’ daily and hourly attendance and Meal Counts.
• Aides in the organization and maintenance of the classroom, kitchen, and other school-related materials.
• Creates and maintains a predictable schedule and routine for the classroom, including arriving to work on time and refraining from frequent absences.
• Regularly maintains classrooms sanitization practices in accordance to licensing and best practices.
• Attends orientations, trainings, education programs, staff meetings, community meetings, conferences, and workshops as requested and applicable to meet the needs of the position. May provide training and mentorship to team members and community stakeholders regarding best practices in relevant service models and practices.
• Completes a minimum of 15 credit hours of continued education per licensing requirements.
• Assumes the role of the Associate Teacher during absences. Covers teacher breaks as needed. Covers in the kitchen as needed.
• Performs all duties in a professional manner, adhering to the NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) Code of Ethics, and maintaining confidentiality of all information.
• Predictable, consistent attendance.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Ability to effectively communicate to families, coworkers, consultants, volunteers, and community partners.
• Good organizational skills.
• Basic computer and tablet skills to input data and documentation.
• Knowledge about human development.
• Ability to use standard classroom office technology: I-Pad, copier, computer Good organizational skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent.
• Must be willing to enroll in a CDA credential program to be completed within two years of time of hire, or must receive a state awarded certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements for a CDA credential within two years of hire.

PREFERRED QUALIFCATIONS:

• Experience working with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds.
• Previous experience working in a classroom.
• Knowledge of Teaching Strategies GOLD, CLASS, Trauma-Informed Care, and Creative Curriculum.

POSITION TYPE:

Full time

Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 5:30 pm

PAY

Starting base pay $19.29/hr. 

Employee must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of self or others. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Employee will perform job according to applied laws. The requirements listed above 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. If you require a reasonable accommodation to perform this role, please contact [email protected] to begin the Interactive Process.

BENEFITS (eligibility is based on job type/status)

Vacation Time/Separate Sick Time/Paid Holidays

Floating Holidays/Personal Days

Volunteer/Wellness Day

Tuition Assistance

Pension Plan

403b Retirement Plan with Agency Match

Health, Dental, Vision, Pet Insurances

Life Insurance/Accident Insurance

Employee Assistance/Work Life Balance Program

Employee Discount Program

LifeLock with Norton

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Volunteers of America is an EEO Employer

POSITION WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL FILLED

VISA SPONSORSHIP IS NOT OFFERED FOR THIS ROLE

Veterans Strongly Encouraged to Apply