Pre-K Instructional Assistant

Position Summary

The Early Childhood Assistant collaborates and partners with the Teacher to ensure successful outcomes for children and an effective, safe and nurturing learning environment is sustained in the classroom.

Roles and Responsibilities

 Assists the lead teacher with all aspects of the classroom in a manner consistent with the philosophy and goals of the center and in accordance to DCFS licensing standards.

 Implements activities that encourage each child’s growth in the areas of emotion, social, cognitive, creative, and physical development.

 Interacts with the children to support play, exploration, and learning, meeting the individual needs of children.

 Assists in behavioral supports to redirect children and foster positive interactions among children and their peers; Support and model positive discipline

 Monitors children outside of the classroom during recess and while the teacher is occupied.

 Creates and maintains an environment that is clean and safe for all children and meets licensing requirements.

 Establishes a professional level of rapport with each family to provide quality care for the children.

 Obtains at least 15 hours of high-quality, classroom-focused professional development per year.

Required Qualifications

1. High school diploma or equivalent certificate (GED)

2. 1 years of experience working with young, preschool or school-aged children.

3. Commitment to continued education and staying current on the latest early childhood practices.

4. Demonstrated interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively build and maintain relationships with families, staff, and other stakeholders and constituents and act as a role model to others.

5. Completed background check.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Some college coursework (60 credit hours preferred)

2. Current participation in a teacher certification program, early childhood education or child development preferred.

3. 2 years of experience in a classroom or early childhood setting.

4. Bilingual in Spanish and English.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics

1. Exhibits the skills required to successfully execute instructional and behavior management tasks

a. Possesses sufficient ability to monitor students and control behavior of students

b. Understands and carries out oral and written instructions

c. Utilizes materials, technology, etc. effectively to enhance instruction

d. Demonstrates time management skills

e. Provides for active student engagement through management of lessons

f. Possesses the ability to adapt to different tasks as needed

2. Strong written and verbal skills

3. Professional demeanor

4. Ability to express self effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.

5. Maintains a high level of energy and a consistent positive attitude.

Benefits Summary
We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package for all full time employees, including Health insurance, dental, vision, paid vacation, personal days, paid holidays, short and long term disability, paid life insurance, 403B and the Chicago Teachers' Pension fund.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Early Childhood Assistants will be working in a busy and active environment. There may be a number of activities

and situations happening at once, and the Assistant will support the Teacher to ensure children are supervised at

all times. Majority of work will be performed in a general classroom/school environment. He/She may be asked to

participate and attend organization sponsored events and meetings, such as field trips and network professional

development.

Early Childhood Assistants may be lifting and carrying children and equipment and may spend time sitting on the floor or child sized furniture. Nature of work requires an ability to operate standard business office equipment. Required the ability to communicate and exchange information, collect, compile and prepare work documents, set-up and maintain work files. Assistants will also be expected to clean and maintain classroom equipment and furniture. Will frequently moving moderate distances indoors and outdoors throughout the community or building with children including climbing stairs. Physical demands require to stand, bend, reach high and low, stoop, walk around the classroom and kneel upwards of 60% of the day. In addition, walking up and down stairs several times a day. Must be able to lift, push and pull 15 to 40 pounds for short periods of time.

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of LEARN Charter School Network. Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.

Salary : $38,000 - $50,000