Assistant Teacher

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Assistant Teacher, in conjunction with the Lead Teacher, implements developmentally appropriate lesson plans following the agency's curriculum that works to meet the emotional, social, physical, and cognitive needs of each child in the group. Additionally, establishing and maintaining a safe and child-oriented classroom environment all in accordance with state licensing standards, agency, and center philosophy and policy, and national accreditation criteria. 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following general areas:

General Management

• Maintenance of accurate supervision and records on all children, which includes attendance, behavior, accidents, assessments and evaluations, health, and all aspects of their development.
• Dependable and reliable in attendance.
• Maintains confidentiality. 
• Transporting and supervision of transported children may be required. 

 Program/Curriculum

• Possession of thorough knowledge of child development, and developmentally appropriate practices. 
• Implementation of developmentally appropriate lesson plans and activities which effectively meet the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs of each child.
• Assistance to team members in developing and implementing appropriate lesson plans and/or activities, and coordination of such plans/activities.
• Carries out in a safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate manner such regular childcare routines as diapering, potty training, hand washing, eating, napping, transitioning between activities, putting away toys/materials.
• Identifies the developmental level of all children by observations and assessments.
• Supports cultural differences. 

Child Interactions

• Builds trust and rapport with children.
• Fosters their development of a positive self-concept. 
• Encourages independence and development of self-control. 
• Respectful of the child. 
• Considers the needs of the individual child. 
• Models’ appropriate behaviors and attitudes. 
• Communicates in an honest and open manner while being direct and clear.
• Maintains good eye contact, getting to child’s eye level.

Classroom Management

• Establishes routines and procedures which help children function positively in a group situation.
• Provides positive feedback to reinforce children for appropriate behavior. 
• Redirect children experiencing difficulties. 
• Model appropriate behavior management strategies, with particular attention to ensure that standards involving appropriate positive discipline are followed.
• High tolerance for change and adaptability. 

Environment

• Establishment and maintenance of indoor and outdoor learning environments which are healthy, safe, and developmentally appropriate for the age group.
• Monitoring of maintenance and repairs for the room/area of all furniture, equipment, and supplies, and reporting of problems and needs to appropriate staff.
• Maintenance of the room/area in a neat, orderly, and attractive manner, while at the same time helping children and staff to share this responsibility.

Communication 

• Positive and supportive to parents as partners in early childhood education.
• Providing parents with adequate information about their child's development and activities through daily contact, regular parent conferences, and specially arranged conferences as needed.
• Communication with administrative staff regarding any parent concerns.
• Written communications are neat and literate and approved prior to distribution.
• Encourages the parent’s interest and participation in the classroom.
• Works cooperatively with staff and management.
• Sustain a positive and supportive attitude toward both children and adults to ensure a health and team-oriented workplace environment. 
• Cooperation with all center and agency staff, sharing talents, ideas, and time as appropriate.

Other

• Performance of other duties assigned by the Lead Teacher, Center Director or Assistant Center Director including operation of center office/ administrative duties, as requested.