Summary

The Assistant Teacher is responsible for helping and supporting the teacher in the creation of a responsive, age-appropriate experience that fosters the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth of the children.

Essential Functions:

• Perform the functions of this position with a strong understanding of the local, state, and other federal guidelines. Thorough knowledge and application of Developmentally Appropriate Practices

• Assist in facilitating activities of the children, including daily activities, field trips, selecting and arranging equipment and materials in the classroom in alignment with Early Childhood best practices as defined by National Education for Young Children (NAEYC), New York State) Quality Stars Quality Rating and Improvement System), NYS Common Core, and NYS Early Learning Framework. 

• Assist in maintaining a comprehensive and ongoing portfolio assessment for each child, including observations, developmental and social emotional assessments.

• Assist in maintaining a safe and healthy classroom environment. Assure that classroom equipment, furniture, materials, and supplies are properly maintainedand stored.

• Follow the integration and implementation of children's I.E.P. (Individual Education Plan) or I.F.S.P. (Individual Family Service Plan) into lesson plans for individualized outcomes. 

• Perform other duties, as may be required.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Assist in the management of the overall direction, and evaluation of the classroom in accordance with the federal, state, locals’ requirements as well as agency policies and applicable laws.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• A High School Diploma or GED with an age-appropriate Child Development Associates (CDA) Credential. 

• Bilingual preferred in one or more of the following: Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Bengali and others, may be required depending on client needs.

• Experience working with children. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products 

• Ability to plan and carry out assignments independently.

• Ability to prioritize, adhere to timelines and multi-task

Qualifications Preferred: 

• Associate’s (AA or AS) degree in Early Childhood Education or related field OR 

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field preferred

• 2 years’ experience preferred. 

Job Behavioral Expectations:

• Maintain regular consistent and professional attendance, punctuality, personal appearance, and adherence to relevant health & safety procedures.

• Safe and successful performance, including meeting productivity standards.

• Maintain an understanding of the principles, methods and processes needed to perform the job. Participate in staff meetings, in-service training, and professional development training.

• Demonstrates the ability to complete work in an acceptable manner by the time and/or date established with accuracy, neatness and thoroughness and minimal number of errors.

• Record keeping which includes the following: anecdotal records, health observations forms, screening and assessment forms, attendance records, accident/incident reports, parent/staff forms in accordance with federal, state, and local licensing requirements. 

• Maintain established departmental policies and procedures including always maintaining strict confidentiality and adherence to guidelines.

Physical demands and work environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to walk, sit for long periods of time; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or control; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. 

Work environment:

• Work is performed in a classroom environment (indoor and outdoor) with normal heating and cooling.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only job duties to be performed by the incumbent. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by his or her supervisor.