Union Settlement is an East Harlem anchor institution, serving families, children, youth, older adults, and businesses for more than 127 years. As a proud member of the settlement house movement, our nonprofit organization is always innovating to meet our evolving community. Since opening our doors in 1895, we have brought education, wellness, business support, and community-building programs to our neighborhood, empowering New Yorkers with opportunities to realize their dreams. 

Today, Union Settlement offers more than thirty programs and services, across nearly twenty East Harlem locations and serves more than 10,000 people and nearly 1,000 businesses every year. As a pillar of East Harlem, Union Settlement is a connector, convenor, and advocate for the neighborhood and our network of partnerships. We have a dynamic, diverse, and collaborative team of more than 350 who are committed to supporting our neighbors and growing the vitality and success of East Harlem. With new leadership, Union Settlement is growing!

Position: Substitute Teacher Aide

Department: Early Childhood Education

Reports to: Educational Directors and Associate Director of Education & Curriculum

Hours: Per-diem

Hourly Rate: $20.88

Position Summary

The substitute Teacher Aide provides classroom support under the supervision of full-time teaching staff including the Lead Teachers and Assistant Teachers. This position works with the teaching staff to meet the individual needs of children and to provide support and guidance to children as they explore the classroom and learning activities. This position follows the guidance and modeling of full-time teaching staff in engaging children in conversations, expanding their learning and thinking, providing children with new information and knowledge, and helping them develop self-help skills.

Substitute Teacher Aides will receive a two-week onboarding training that will include training on child development, social-emotional development, safe and healthy environment, classroom management, etc. The training will include classroom observations and classroom work under the supervision of a mentor teacher. Monthly professional development will be provided to enhance classroom management, child development, and curriculum skills and knowledge.

This is a per-diem position and work hours depend on the needs of the program for substitute staff. The centers operate from 8 am - 4:30 pm or 8 am – 6 pm. 

Responsibilities

• Ensure the physical, social, and emotional well-being of children in the classroom under the supervision of full-time teaching staff
• Support teaching staff with managing classroom activities, supporting the individual needs of children, and engaging in age-appropriate conversations and interactions with children that expand their learning and support their social and emotional development
• Assist teaching staff with supervising, caring for, and supporting the children's physical needs including supporting with toileting, diapering, and other self-help skills
• Support teaching staff with the implementation of classroom activities including leading small group activities with the children as instructed by the teaching staff 
• Support children's interests and exploration of learning activities and expand children's play by expanding their thinking, language, and problem-solving skills
• Follow children's interests and engage in play with them by following their lead while introducing new concepts and ideas
• Encourage and celebrate children's primary languages, cultures, and diverse backgrounds through classroom activities, books, and the classroom environment
• Follow all necessary safety and reporting procedures as directed by teaching and program management staff
• Maintain documentation as instructed by teaching and management staff
• Other duties as instructed by the supervisor

Qualification

• High School Diploma or GED
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have at least 6 months – one year caring for children under the age of 5 including own children or babysitting
• Be passionate about working with young children and interested in helping their growth and development
• Be interested in receiving training in child development and early childhood education
• Complete all required training in addition to initial onboarding training sessions
• Multilingual Spanish/English or Chinese/English – preferred