Organization & Program Summary

The Center for African Immigrants and Refugees Organization (CAIRO)’s mission is to enhance social justice and achieve parity for the diverse African immigrants and refugee communities in Oregon and Central Minnesota through community organizing, collaborative leadership, and service advocacy. We envision a more just and equitable society in which children, youth, and families live in sustained, supportive communities that reinforce the family's cultural wealth and lived experience.

CAIRO Academy is a decentralized preschool program funded by Preschool Promise and Preschool For All, with 5 classrooms across the Portland metro area. The Academy’s focus is to provide a culturally-specific and accessible preschool curriculum that draws on the values and approaches of Reggio Emelia, Montessori and play-based learning. The Academy runs on a school-year schedule from late August - mid June. 

Position Summary

The Assistant Teacher works under the direction of the Lead Teacher and assists them with daily classroom operations, including but not limited to: preparing and setting up activities; implementing portions of the daily program as directed by the lead teacher; keeping the classroom and storage areas clean and tidy. The Assistant Teacher will also participate in lesson planning and execution, and work closely with the Lead Teacher to document student progress in TSGold and ASQ-3. 

We have one Assistant Teacher positions open in Portland at the PPS - Vestal Elementary School site.

This is a full-time, non-exempt position expected to work approximately 37.5 hours per week for the duration of the school year. Required availability from 7:15a - 3:15p / 7:45a - 3:45p. Actual hours may vary based on workload, and additional hours will be required as needed for professional development or events.

This position reports to the Preschool Supervisor. 

Salary: $22.50 - $24.50 per hour, depending on experience.

Benefits

CAIRO offers the following benefits for this position:

• 7 days of Paid Time Off per year, plus a 1-week paid spring break.
• 5 sick days per year.
• 16 paid company holidays.
• Medical and dental insurance with employee-only premiums covered 100% by CAIRO.
• Vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with an up to 3% employer match.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

In the Classroom

• Assist Lead Teacher with executing lesson plans and evaluating their effectiveness. 
• Participate in daily and long-range lesson and activity planning; may lead activities or circle time on a semi-regular basis.
• Actively ensure the safety of children and staff in the classroom and monitor the physical and social/emotional wellbeing of the children while relating to each child with acceptance, understanding and care.
• Observe and take daily notes on students’ behavior and progress; document in TS Gold and ASQ on daily basis 
• Assist the Lead Teacher in implementing any Individualized Family Support Plans (IFSPs) in the classroom
• Establish good relationships with families and communicate with parents through procare, pick-up and drop-off times, and classroom events
• Collaborate with the Lead Teacher in preparing and delivering classroom conferences 
• Assist in maintaining student records, including signed incident & injury reports, meal counts, attendance records, etc. 
• Perform cleaning tasks as assigned by the Lead Teacher
• Participate in planning and attend classroom field trips and events like Open House, Family night, etc.
• Substitute for the Lead Teacher when they are out; substitute in other classrooms as needed, sometimes on short notice.

Other

• Participate in the program's annual self-assessment as required.
• Attend & participate in weekly classroom staff meetings
• Attend all CAIRO Academy all-staff meetings and trainings.

Qualifications/Experience

• One year of experience teaching 3-5 year old children in an early childhood education setting including a childcare center OR Oregon Registry Step 8 or higher, or the ability to get there within the first year of employment. 
• PREFERRED: AA in Early Childhood Education or CDA; 20 Semester Credits or 30 Quarter Credits in Early Childhood Education, Child/Human Development, Special Education, and/or Elementary Education. 
• REQUIRED Language: English
• Preferred Language(s): Somali, Swahili, Arabic, Spanish, Vietnamese.
• Knowledge of early childhood development and general principles of early childhood education and knowledge of developmentally appropriate curriculum for 3-5 year olds is required.

Skills & Abilities :

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills to read outcomes reports and measure a child's progress
• Ability to work well as part of a team.
• Experience with Google Workspace products, Procare, TSGold and ASQ. 
• Preferred: Ability to speak fluently in Somali, Swahili, Arabic, Spanish, Vietnamese.

Work Environment

The responsibilities described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

The noise level in the work environment is usually noisy. This position requires frequent bending, crouching, lifting up to 30lbs, sitting on the floor.