Teacher Assistant

Position Summary: 

The Teacher Assistant assist the Teacher in the planning and provision of individualized instruction to children with disabilities and typical role models ages birth to five years old.  Incumbent in this position demonstrates sensitivity to the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.

Responsibilities

• Assist teacher in the execution of the education curriculum for all students in the classroom.
• Assist in arranging the classroom environment according to the children’s abilities.
• Support the teacher in establishing clear objectives for all lessons and activities; and effectively communicating those objectives to the students. 
• Foster an environment that supports individual achievement, team spirit and leadership. 
• Assists teacher to implement the developmental assessment for each child to determine the child’s strengths and areas in which each child may need help.
• Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.
• Demonstrate and utilize appropriate guidance techniques, behavior supports and classroom management skills.  This support may include the following but are not limited to:
  1. assist teachers with implementing lesson plans, copies, administering daily snacks, assisting in administering tests and surveys, ensuring student attendance is completed, printing, directing parents to appropriate staff, assist with dismissal, may substitute for enrichment staff during emergency absences
• Assist in administering snacks and ensuring room(s) is cleaned before and after snacks
• Ability to respond appropriately to an emergency or a crisis situation.
• Maintain a safe, healthy learning environment.
• Report any suspected child abuse/neglect to the Hotline; as well as administration.
• Follows Easter Seals policies, DCF standards, and other regulations to ensure the safety of the children at all times.
  • Document arrival and departure time on a daily basis 
  • Completes all required trainings as per standards, funding, licensing and other trainings as requested by supervisor. 
  • Ensure the safety of all staff, volunteers, visitors and individuals receiving services at Easter Seals.
    1. Act in compliance with Medical and Non-Medical Emergency Procedures.
    2. Assist individuals in evacuating building during emergency situations to include but not limited to: fire drills and external disaster drills. Specific duties to be assigned by immediate supervisor.
    3. Assume assigned responsibility for non-clinical duties during disaster and/or drills including but not limited to safety of files/office areas, closure of doors.
  • Other related duties as necessary may be assigned to ensure the smooth running and efficiency of agency.

Physical Demands:

• Regular to frequent requirement, and as needed, to lift children (up to 50 lbs.), including bending, stooping, stretching, walking, squatting, pushing, pulling, kneeling, crawling, sitting on low chairs or on the floor. 
• The work is in a childcare setting. In order to conduct classroom activities and interact with children in a meaningful way, some physical exertion such as the following physical demands are required:
  1. Noise level can be moderate to loud.
  2. Detecting unsafe situations by sight or sound.
  3. Moving quickly to intervene in unsafe situations.

Educational & Experiential Requirements:   

• High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• Department of Children and Families (DCF) 45 hours childcare training 
• Within 90 days of employment must register for the courses and complete credits within 1 year.
• National CDA or FCCPC preferred
• Enroll in class during the 1st year. if employee is assigned to an Early Head Start classroom. It is required that the CDA is completed within the first year of employment. 
• Must obtain CPR certification.
• Demonstrated experience working with children preferred.
• Ability to promote teamwork and build effective relationships.
• Ability to take initiative and meet objectives.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding personal information of participants and staff
• Desire to improve the lives of people with special needs

Other:

• Work a flexible schedule as required. 
• Other related duties as necessary to ensure the smooth running and efficiency of Easter Seals South Florida as a whole.
• Successful completion of background process which includes: Local background check, Level 2 clearance (FBI, FDLE), clear TB test, medical clearance, drug test and reference checks.
• Adhere to the use of Universal Health & Safety Precautions as applicable