Part-Time Preschool Classroom Floating Aide (Washington County)

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

Aides are responsible for assisting the Lead Teacher and the Assistant Teacher with classroom operations in a team-teaching setting. The Aide will assist classroom teachers in the instructional process, reinforcing instruction to individual or small groups of students in a classroom environment and occasionally leading activities. This person will also assist in the preparation of instructional materials and implementation of lesson plans and provide routine support throughout the day.

This position will include accompanying drivers on their drop-off routes. 

This is a part-time, non-exempt position expected to work approximately 22.5 hours per week for the duration of the school year. Additional hours may be requested to support substitute needs in either classroom.

This is a floating position, and is scheduled to split time worked between our two Washington County classrooms, one located at Errol Hassell Elementary & the other at Imlay Elementary.

Required Availability: 12:30pm - 5:00pm 

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: $20.91 - $22.66 per hour, depending on experience. 

Benefits

CAIRO offers the following benefits for this position: 

• 7 days of Paid Time Off, 5 days of paid Sick Time per year, plus a 1-week paid spring break. 
• 16 paid company holidays.
• 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 the Lead and Assistant Teacher in arranging the learning environment, including assembling and putting materials on the classroom learning displays and in keeping such displays current. 
• Prepare for classroom activities by distributing and collecting papers and other instructional materials for classroom instruction. 

○ May be asked to develop or lead an activity on occasion as a part of 

professional development. 

• Read to students, assist students with letter and word pronunciation and recognition. 
• Actively supervise students and ensure student: teacher ratio is maintained at all times, including during outdoor/recess times, in restrooms and hallways, field trips, etc 
• Assist students with clothing, wash-up and toilet routines. Assist with meal and snack times and nap time. 
• Ensure the health and safety of students by following established practices and procedures and maintain the learning environment in a safe, orderly and clean manner. 
• Become familiar with student IFSP goals, actively support students in reaching these goals, and report progress regarding student performance and behavior to the Lead Teacher. 
• Perform a variety of cleaning tasks throughout the day, including before and after school. 
• Participate in planning and attend classroom field trips and events like Open House, Family night, etc. 
• Establish good relationships with families and communicate with parents during pick-up and drop-off times and classroom events 
• Assist with daily reporting tasks such as attendance counts, meal counts, etc.
• 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. 
• Will accompany van driver on drop-off routes, helping to load children in and out of vehicle & contacting parents. 

Qualifications/Experience

• REQUIRED: One year of experience teaching 3-5 year old children in an early childhood education setting including a childcare center 
• REQUIRED Languages: English 
• 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. Oregon Registry Step 7 or higher. 

Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of Google Workspace products and Procare. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. 
• Ability to work well as part of a team. 
• 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.