TEACHER ASSISTANT JOB DESCRIPTION

Must possess the ability to:

• Work symbiotically with classroom teacher.
• Implement the center’s philosophy.
• Observe and determine the children’s needs and to react to those needs.
• Offer ideas to help classroom teacher plan experiences from objectives.
• Adjust own style of communicating to a child’s receptive language level.
• Use own body to convey messages to the children.
• Understand child’s own experimental world, including fantasy.
• Anticipate child’s behavior and respond within the context of the child’s stage of development.
• Understand motives for children’s actions.
• Convey calm dependability and competence under stress.
• Immediately adjust own actions and procedures and to alter classroom experiences to foster change in children.
• Subjugate own needs to those of the children.
• Serve as a model for the child’s parents/family unit as well as teaching staff.
• Work effectively as a member of a team.
• Relate joyfully and sensitively to children.
• Display emotional maturity and stability.
• Display sound judgment to handle crisis situations and to use supervision constructively.
• Display physical stamina.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• To provide the children with a safe, loving, and nurturing environment.
• To interact with the children and encourage their involvement in activities.
• To prepare a warm and safe environment that is orderly, clean, and appealing and permits (and encourages) the child to grow and explore.
• To meet the children’s needs in all areas (physical, social, emotional, and intellectual).
• To offer feedback to classroom teacher in reference to planning.
• To establish and maintain open lines of communication with parents.
• To attend Family Workshops scheduled by Director(s) and Family Workers.
• To observe and record significant individual and group behavior as well as child progression through anecdotal notes.
• To use appropriate and positive discipline (Problem Solving) when problems arise.
• To attend all staff meetings as scheduled by the Director.
• To assist in planning and attend any school functions the may take place after regular working hours (Open House, Graduation, Holiday Programs, etc.).
• To see that program goals are implemented.
• Must attend ongoing training workshops totaling 20 hours yearly.
• Responsible for monthly “deep cleaning” of all learning areas and storage units as well as daily maintenance (sweeping floors, trash disposal, etc.).
• To assist with any other job-related duties as assigned.

Tardiness/Absenteeism

• Employee will arrive to work in a timely manner (designated start time). If tardy, policy #12.11 will be enforced.
• Employee will use given personal days each year. If days are taken over and above given days this will result in dismissal.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

• The Teacher Assistant will report to the Classroom Teacher pertaining to matters dealing with classroom operations.
• In absence of the Classroom Teacher or in matters of importance pertaining to issues outside of the classroom, the Teacher Assistant will report to the Head Teacher or the Director.

LIMITS OF AUTHORITY

In order to minimize miscommunications and/or misunderstandings, we must ask that Teacher Assistants refer parents directly to the Classroom Teacher to discuss any problems (behavioral or otherwise) unless the Classroom Teacher specifically requests otherwise.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $15.13 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Experience:

• Teaching: 1 year (Preferred)
• Childcare: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Child Development Associate Certification (Preferred)

Work Location: In person