ISD Early Learning Teacher Assistant

DIVISION; EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM

JOB TITLE: TEACHER ASSISTANT

REPORTS TO: Assistant Director/Teacher

SUPERVISES: Generally not a supervisory position

EMPLOYEE STATUS: Regular/Full-time/Hourly

Summary Of Position

To provide a safe, fun, and appropriate learning environment for pre-school children ages three to five. Assist teacher in lesson planning, child assessment and providing experiences which foster children's learning. Assists in a classroom of 16-20 children

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

These Are The Most Significant Performance Factors Involved With This Position And They Will Be The Principal Factors On Which The Employee Will Be Evaluated

• Use available resources and opportunities in order to improve his/her knowledge and capacities in early childhood education.
• From time of employment, the employee has one year to acquire a CDA and will be encouraged to actively pursue the educational requirements as described in the "Teacher" job description.
• Expand the child's ability to learn and grow in his/her environment by doing the following:
• Helping children develop the ability to effectively handle feelings and to get along with others, making it possible for them to cope with present and future circumstances; Teach and model pro-social behavior.
• Providing stimulation and developing materials and activities that will promote children's gross motor, fine motor, and sensory development;
• Providing adequate experiences for children's cognitive and language development in preparation for their school and life experience;
• Providing a safe, healthy, and well-managed learning environment so that children will have a comfortable learning and growing experience;
• Providing experiences and giving responses that create an atmosphere of
  
  

acceptance, support, and encouragement which fosters the development of a positive self-concept and children's individual strengths;

• Provide input in the creation of lesson plans with the Teacher by using the Creative Curriculum materials and TLC activities.
• Occasionally, a child who has not yet been picked up will remain after program hours. Teacher's Assistants will follow established steps specified in Authorized Child Pick-up Procedure. PM (afternoon) teachers must remain with the child until he/she has been picked up.
• Apply developmentally appropriate best practice in the
• Will relate with parents, children, Center staff and the public in a manner that is friendly, courteous, helpful and respectful.
• Provide a balance of staff directed and student directed
• Maintain accurate daily attendance and meal
• Develop positive relationships with parents, supporting their strengths and acknowledging the parents' role as the experts on their child.
• Maintain current and continuous classroom records including, but not limited to: individual child skill mastery, child assessment, anecdotal notes and observations within the Teaching Strategies GOLD system.
• Relate positively with all Center staff to acquire necessary resources, process conflicts and join in common tasks which support the overall Center program.
• Attend meetings and trainings required by the Supervisor and participate fully, respectfully and constructively.
• Maintain professional conduct at all times while representing the
• Assist in developing an Individual Education Plan for each child that is based on parent input, results of observations, screening and assessment results during Parent/Teacher conferences.
• Ensure full inclusion of all children with special
• Regular, dependable attendance is a critical performance factor to ensure consistent, high quality services to children and families.
• Maintain the highest level of sanitation for your classroom and bathroom following the Center's Safety & Sanitation Policy.
• Willingly perform other related duties as assigned by the Supervisor.
  
  

Position Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required;
• Must have a CDA or willing to actively pursue CDA with completion within 1 year of
• Must be able to work cooperatively with co-workers, supervisor, children and parents; work references will be required.
• Must be able to lift weight of a child without injury to self.
• Must pass medical, TB exam; Criminal Records and Child Abuse/Neglect background checks.
• Must have or obtain CPR, 1st Aid and Food Handlers Certification and maintain current thereafter.
• Must have valid Colorado Driver's license and proof of insurance.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in early childhood education setting strongly preferred
• Experience working in multi-cultural setting
  
  

LANGUAGLE SKILLS: Ability to communicate clearly and accurately, verbally and in writing.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Possesses basic math skills.

Reasoning Skills

• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality at all times, including the ability to recognize situations in which confidentiality is required
• Ability to establish and maintain effective, supportive and respectful relationships with children, parents, staff, consultants and the public
  
  

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

• Ability to lift a minimum of 30 pounds is required
• Position requires standing, sitting and kneeling
  
  

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is performed in ad educational setting with some exposure to illnesses, stress and frequent interruptions
• The noise level in the environment is moderate
• Frequent communication with employees, children, parents and others on a daily basis, including telephone as well as face to face interaction.
  
  

CODE OF ETHICS:Must be willing to accept and adopt the Code of Ethics required of all Early Learning employees.