Assistant Teacher
Classification: Non-exempt
Status: Full-time
Reports to: Teacher
Location: Early Childhood Education Center
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Summary/Objective:
Under the supervision of the classroom teacher, this position assists in providing the students with a learning environment on sound developmentally appropriate practices, adheres to health, safety, and nutritional procedures, and encourages inclusive parent and volunteer involvement.
Essential Functions:
Developmentally Appropriate Practice:
· Assists the teacher with the completion of the Agency’s developmental and behavioral screening within the 45 day mandate.
· Participates in the on-going assessments of children including but not limited to completing observations, quarterly assessments, and developmental checklists.
· Supports the individual learning and development of each child by providing an environment which offers developmentally appropriate equipment and materials.
· Responsible for the classroom management and educational instruction during the absence of the teacher.
· Follows the child’s Individual Education Plan to be inclusive of children with disabilities.
· Assists with the implementation of a daily program which provides quality teacher and child-initiated activities in both large and small group, indoor and outdoor play, and timely and predictable transitions.
· Collaborates with the teacher to develop and implement lesson plans based on the Curriculum that emphasize the five domains of early learning defined by the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework.
· Provides opportunities for creative self-expression through the use of art, music, movement, and dramatic play.
· Supports the social and emotional development of each child by building trust, fostering independence, encouraging self-confidence, and supporting positive adult and
peer relationships.
· Encourages positive guidance by setting clear, consistent limits, and having realistic expectations.
· Supports the home language, culture, and family composition of each child through the creation of a cultural and linguistically appropriate classroom.
· Assists with recording student attendance and meals daily as designated.
· Assists the teacher in making timely requisitions for health, safety, and classroom supplies.
· Follows the Agency’s educational timeline to include but not limited to assessments, parent conferences, home-visits, professional development.
Health, Safety, and Nutritional Procedures:
· Practices and models the Agency’s sanitation and hygiene procedures which include but are not limited to: hand washing, the cleaning and disinfecting of toys and furniture, and providing children with space to place personal belongings.
· Complies with the Agency’s policies regarding blood borne pathogens to adequately protect children and staff.
· Assists the teacher with maintaining accurate emergency contact information
· Follows the Agency’s approved policies regarding temporary health exclusion and physician notification of diagnosis.
· Practices the Agency’s approved policies regarding medication administration and storage.
· Models sound dental hygienic practices by providing daily opportunities for children to brush their teeth in a hygienic and supervised environment.
· Provides an indoor and outdoor environment that is supervised in accordance with Child Care Administration standards and is free of environmental and physical hazards.
· Complies with the Agency’s approved Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting policy.
· Responds to emergency situations by implementing the Agency’s outlined procedures.
· Implements the Agency’s approved Food Policy.
· Assists in the nutritional aspects of the program by assisting children with “family style” meals, sitting with children during designated meal times, and appropriately
scheduling meals into the daily schedule.
· Serves all food that is on the planned menu in accordance with the Agency and Maryland State Department of Education nutritional guidelines.
· Serves Agency purchased food replacements for children with specific and physician documented dietary needs.
Parent and Volunteer Involvement:
· Invites parents to become an integral part of the program.
· Assists the teacher in completing two home visits and two parent and teacher conferences throughout the year.
· Assists parents with transitioning their child from one Early Childhood Education classroom or from the Head Start to kindergarten.
· Assists with the preparation of home learning activities.
· Communicates in a professional and respectful manner with parents and guardians.
General Responsibilities:
· Demonstrates a positive role model for others by maintaining the highest level of professional and ethical behavior throughout interactions with both internal and external customers.
· Uses technology for the completion of specified job duties.
· Attends work regularly per assigned work schedule and in accordance with Agency policy.
· Attends and participates with in-service training, staff meetings and other activities to facilitate professional development which includes but not limited all required core of knowledge workshops and/or educational courses, and professional activity units to meet the Maryland Office of Child Care requirements for the Maryland Child Care Credential of level 3 or higher.
· Complies with all Early Childhood Education Performance Standards and Maryland State Department of Education Accreditation Standards.
· Works cooperatively with others including all staff, supervisors, administrators, co-workers, community professionals, clients, vendors and the public.
· Follows instructions and abides by Agency policies and procedures.
· Assumes other duties, responsibilities and special projects as assigned.
Secondary Functions:
· Works cooperatively and effectively with Agency volunteers maximizing the volunteers’ experience while meeting the needs of the programs.
· Participates in the training and supervision of program volunteers.
· Completes Daily Attendance records on a daily basis when requested by teacher or in the teacher’s absence.
· Contacts parents of absent child on first day of absence with a referral regarding additional assistance if contact is not made by day two of the absence as designated.
· Assists the Agency in obtaining community partners and volunteers to assist in varied capacities throughout the agency.
Education, Experience and Knowledge:
· Must hold a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education
· Must have MSDE credentialing of at least a level 2
· One year of experience in an educational program with 3 to 5 year old children. Early Childhood Education Program experience preferred.
· Must possess a valid Maryland driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle during work hours.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
· Ability in work in a classroom environment.
· Ability to communicate on the telephone.
· Ability to read, writes, comprehend and speak English.
· Ability to complete tasks with numerous interruptions.
· Ability to walk up and down stairs.
· Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
· Ability to bend, lift and carry.
· Must be able to maintain a safe environment for up to 22 people. This includes, but is not limited to the physical ability to evacuate students and clients during disaster drills and emergency situations.
· Full awareness of environmental stimuli
· Full range of motion above the head.
Abilities and Skills:
· Effective decision-making and problem solving skills.
· Must be organized, flexible and dedicated to quality service delivery.
· Ability to work independently and collaboratively with others.
· Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks effectively.
· Ability to demonstrate compassion and respect for persons with economic challenges.
· Ability to use computer.
· Ability to move quickly in order to respond to children who are very active and may need redirection in order to ensure their safety and/or the safety of others in the environment.
· Demonstrate integrity and ethical standards in job performance.
· Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing across all levels of the organization.
· Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
AAP/EEO Statement:
Community Action Council of Howard County is an equal opportunity employer.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.
Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.