Teacher Aide, II

I. Position Summary

The Teacher Aide, II assists the classroom teaching team in creating a classroom atmosphere where children can grow and develop in a safe and positive learning space. The Teacher Aide, II must have a passion for partnering with parents and other educators in providing a safe and nurturing environment for children to receive a quality early learning experience. 

II. Education & Certification Requirements

• High School Diploma or non ECE related degree. 
• Must be at least 19 years of age.
• Must obtain a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) and/or otherwise meet the credentials to be a Teacher Aide I for the age group of interest (infant/toddler or preschool) within 6 months of hire. 
• Must agree to a one-year commitment to Chicago Commons following the receipt of Teacher Aide I qualifications.

III. Experience & Training Requirements

• Child development experience in a nursery school, public/private pre-k program, kindergarten, or licensed childcare center – birth to age 6 preferred. 
• The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. 
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. 
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to read and write English proficiently. 

IV. Desired Outcomes

• Identifies own learning needs and takes the steps necessary to develop skills and set challenging goals. 
• Working with direct supervisor on a yearly professional development plan.
• Fully understands and implements the Reggio Emilia approach to learning with the classroom teaching team. 
• Acquire CDA within 6 months of hire.

V. Essential Job Requirements & Duties

• Maintains a positive attitude regardless of the situation. 
• Keeps work area clean, safe, and secure.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding client and staff’s personal information at al times.
• Ability to work well with others, offering help when needed and seeking assistance when necessary. 
• Handles conflicts with clients or staff in a way that results in others feeling respected and valued.
• Communicates with parents, students and coworkers in a way that results in their feeling that you care about their well-being, values and diversity by treating all with respect, integrity and dignity without regard to background, race, religion, age, gender, disability or sexual orientation.
• Identifies own learning needs and takes the steps necessary to develop skills and set challenging goals. Working with direct supervisor on a yearly professional development plan.
• Assists the Lead and Assistant Teachers  with paperwork including but not limited to lesson planning, observations of children, and maintaining children’s binders.
• Always interacts with students in a respectful, supportive, and positive manner ensuring children feel safe and their voices are heard in the learning process and daily activities.
• Maintains a learning environment that is organized, clean, and inviting in whichchildren are allowed free choice the entire day and are encouraged to explore their environment at their own pace. 
• Attends and participates in training opportunities hosted by the Excellence, Quality Innovation (EQI) Team along with other opportunities that will enhance individual teaching practices .
• Fully understands and implements the Reggio Emilia approach to learning with their teaching team. 
• Notifies supervisor of any problems in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates ethical behaviors in all activities and interactions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements: (The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform). While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak and read English proficiently. The employee must regularly operate a word-processing system and therefore must be able to read, produce and transmit data on such a system. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision requirements include the ability to see at close range. 

Employment Conditions: This job description is to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee’s ability to perform the duties as described. This job description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned as deemed appropriate commensurate to the position. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and Chicago Commons reserves the right to change this job description and /or assign tasks deemed appropriate.

Working Conditions: (The unavoidable, externally imposed conditions under which the work must be performed, and which create hardship for the incumbent including the frequency and duration of occurrence of physical demands, environmental conditions, demands on one’s senses, and mental demands.) None known

Chicago Commons is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, marital or parental status, sexual orientation including gender identity, gender expression, military discharge status, physical or mental disability, or any other status or characteristic protected by law. In addition, Chicago Commons provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws (including during the application or hiring process.