Co-Teacher

Company Overview

Family Services of Westchester, Inc. (FSW) provides mental health and social services that strengthen and support families, children and individuals at every stage of their lives. Serving 30,000 people a year, including 20,000 children, with nearly 50 innovative programs, including counseling, education and support, FSW is a pillar of health in the Westchester community.

JOB SUMMARY

Family Services of Westchester is seeking a Co-Teacher to join our Early Head Start classroom in White Plains, NY.

This position serves as a teacher (aka caregiver) in a classroom for infants and toddlers by planning, implementing, and supervising all center-based activities. This position may work with infants and toddlers with developmental delays. Because this position is one part of a large system of services provided to infants/toddlers and families, this position also serves as a social service referral person and shares responsibility for parent involvement in the program. The position of Teacher works in tandem with the rest of the parts of the system as an integrated team to support the goals of the program. The position may be reassigned to various classrooms/centers as deemed necessary for program operations.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Development

• Attends and participates in all required meetings, activities, pre-service and in-service training that includes but is not limited to 15 hours of classroom focused professional development and methods that comply with applicable State and local laws for identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect.
• Remains up to date on information that pertains to the needs of the children in the program including Head Start Performance Standards, childcare licensing regulations and other applicable regulations and practices.
• Works as a team member with the other education staff, parents and Parent Committee members to develop curriculum that is meaningful and meets the individual and program needs.
• Responsible for the weekly preparation of daily lesson plans, which includes objectives to be posted for parents, volunteers and visitors in the classroom.
• Develops an individual plan for each child to include goal setting based on identified needs and prescriptions for objectives and activities to meet established goals (outcomes).
• Schedules home visits and parent-teacher conferences with families as required and on an as-needed basis and documents these events.
• Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Early Head Start children, families and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Prepares and maintains a safe, healthy learning environment for children that is positive, developmentally appropriate and experientially based.
• Provides sufficient and appropriate outdoor time daily for children (see Operations Manual for specifics). Dresses in clothing which is appropriate for outdoor activity and all-weather conditions.
• Works closely with transitional programs, as appropriate, for shared activities, registration, and smooth transition.
• Regular and predictable attendance is a requirement of the job.

Infant/Toddler Program Implementation

• Plans and provides developmentally appropriate activities and experiences that advance all areas of children’s development (social, emotional, cognitive, and physical in a manner appropriate to age and stage of development.
• Assists in development and implementation of a developmentally appropriate curriculum that focuses on routines and individual child interests and development.
• Provides a safe, healthy and well-managed environment so that children will have comfortable learning and growing experiences. Sets up the physical environment to meet the changing needs of infants and toddlers.
• Displays and develops material and provides activities related to cultures of the community in order to increase the children’s respect and understanding of their own and other local cultures.
• Models and promotes communication and problem-solving skills that assist in developing positive interactions, creating an atmosphere of acceptance, support and encouragement, which fosters the development of positive self-concept and self-esteem in children as well as attachment, bonding and trusting relationships.
• Demonstrates an understanding of infant-toddler development applying this knowledge in practice.
• Participates in Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) meetings.
• Participates in on-going training and development specific to working with infants and toddlers and their families, including infant/toddler development, communication and safety issues such as reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
• Works closely and cooperatively with family services staff to promote partnerships with families.
• Responsible for knowledge and understanding of the philosophy, content areas and functions of the infant/toddler curriculum including familiarity with the Head Start Performance Standards, NAEYC Developmentally Appropriate Practices and state child care licensing regulations.
• Displays commitment to continuing professional growth by taking classes, reading journals, etc.
• Conducts developmental screening of infants and toddlers’ motor, language, social, cognitive, perceptual, and emotional levels.
• Ensures an appropriate written Transition Plan for all children, six months before their third birthday; provides parents with training and information. Establishes communication to facilitate and coordinate the transition.
• Implements Active Supervision strategies in the classroom.

Relationships with Teaching Team

• Develop schedules and processes to ensure that work is complete in a timely fashion by teaching team.
• Lead regular documentation, reflection, and planning meetings with teaching team.

Interactions with Children

• Speaking and listening to children with respect and mindfulness
• Supervising the whole group, while giving individual attention
• Managing classroom procedures including transitions, and routines
• Engage students in exploration and ongoing project work.
• Scaffolding children through conflict and problem solving

Parent Involvement and Community Relations

• Sets up system to assure program's needs for parent involvement are met.
• Establishes positive and productive relationships with families focusing on a relationship of trust and rapport with the parents of the children.
• Encourages the involvement of the families in the program and supports the development of relationships between children and their families.
• Participates in the orientation of parents to Early Head Start throughout the year.
• Facilitates and supports monthly Parent Committee meetings at the center.
• Schedules and arranges meetings and documents parent-teacher conferences and home visits as required.
• Participates in the training of parents as requested.
• Provides opportunities for parent/family involvement, inviting participation in classroom activities, family night, family team meetings, outside of classroom activities, etc.
• Establishes classroom meetings and socials for parents in cooperation with other staff. (i.e., Family Nights).
• Involves parents in the educational activities of the program:
• a. to emphasize their role as the principal influence on the child's education and development; and
• b. to assist parents to increase their knowledge, understanding, skills and experience in basic child development.
• Identifies and arranges for parents to participate as volunteers in the classroom and work as substitutes as well as other volunteer activities.
• Collects monthly in-kind records from parents participating and submits to Site Director
• Writes a classroom newsletter once every other month beginning in October and provides center news for the program newsletter as requested.
• Directly orients, trains and supervises all classroom volunteers assigned in coordination with the staff person in charge of program volunteers.
• Works closely with local early intervention program(s), as appropriate, for shared activities, registration and smooth transition into and out of the program.

Recordkeeping

• Submits monthly progress reports to the supervisor as scheduled.
• Gathers and maintains individual, family and classroom data for documentation, on-going assessment, evaluation, and recordkeeping for successful individual and program planning.
• Supervises or orders supplies as needed and takes inventory as requested.
• Maintains child records in cooperation with family services staff, including completion of health services, screening, immunizations and referrals.
• Attends all required training and workshops to include focused professional development and methods that comply with applicable State and local laws for identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect.
• Remains up to date on information that pertains to the needs of the children in the program, including Head Start Performance Standards, child care licensing regulations, and other applicable regulations and practices.

Active Supervision Duties

• Understands and implements all required policies and procedures related to the active supervision of children at all times, including:
• a. Observation of the environment evaluating that children have a place to play, and they can be observed and listened at all times.
• b. Continuously scan & count for children under care and reports accurate number when asked.
• c. Listen to children at all times to identify potential danger, like specific sounds or the lack of any sound that may trigger an action.
• d. Develops knowledge to the children under care to anticipate their behavior, performing wellness check and being proactive and avoiding putting children in danger.
• e. Ensuring that indoor and outdoor equipment and facilities are clean and do not present any hazard.
• f. Ensure that classrooms and centers are equipped with safety supplies that are readily accessible to staff.

REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION

• A current Child Development Associate (CDA) infant/toddler credential or associate in early childhood.

SKILLS

• English fluency.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer (Microsoft word, excel, etc.) and office equipment, including, but not limited to, the telephone, fax machine, and copier.
• Requires effective writing and oral communication skills to conduct meetings and to prepare reports that are clear, complete, and comprehensive.
• Extensive knowledge and skills in the field of early childhood development. Knowledge of various service resources in the community. Knowledge of the state and federal child abuse and neglect regulations and childcare licensing requirements. Knowledge of local resources, languages, and customs is helpful.
• Ability to be perceptive of children's needs and work well with staff, children, and parents/families,
• Ability to organize and direct classroom activities,
• Ability to maintain accurate records which reflect the needs and progress of children, utilizing Teaching Strategies Gold.
• Ability to communicate ideas and instructions orally and in writing,
• Ability to speak before groups of individuals,
• Ability to always maintain strict confidentiality, including recognizing situations in which confidentiality is required,
• Ability to exhibit patience and tact when communicating with children, families, staff, management, referral sources, and the public,
• Ability to project professionalism in conducting daily activities.
• Ability to work with typically developing children and children with disabilities.

EXPERIENCE

• 2 years of experience working with young children and families in an early childhood program such as Early Head Start, implementing comprehensive family services for young children and families from diverse backgrounds.

There are a variety of benefits to joining Family Services of Westchester, an organization with over 65 years of history impacting vulnerable communities. In addition to the opportunity to connect with and help thousands of residents in Westchester County, FSW offers its employees an inspiring, diverse and team-based work environment with comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, and 403(b) for full-time employees.

At FSW, we enjoy working in a collaborative, mission-driven environment and value the benefits of a diversified workplace that prioritizes our clients and the communities we serve. If you want to make a difference in the lives of thousands of people across the communities of Westchester, and if the position of Assistant Teacher speaks to your capabilities, experience and commitment to social service, please submit your resume and cover letter. Qualified candidates will be contacted by phone and/or email.

FSW is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $40,950.00 - $47,740.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $40,950 - $47,740