Assistant Preschool Teacher

Job Title: Teacher Assistant

Classification: Full-Time, Permanent, Non-Exempt

Department: Children Services

Reports to: ECDS

Designation: Non-Safety Sensitive

Job Summary

The Teacher Assistant works in cooperation with and under the supervision of the Lead Classroom Teacher.

The Assistant works with the Lead to provide individual and group instruction to children in self-help, cognitive,

motor, social and communication skills. Assists the Lead Teacher with the maintenance of a classroom

management system that promotes the development of all children. It is essential that they demonstrate

professionalism, a respect for confidentiality and a commitment to the agency's mission.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Works efficiently and in cooperation with assigned teacher so that duties are well coordinated.

2. Sees to the welfare, health, and safety of each child.

3. Carries out plan designed by Lead.

4. Assists children with self-care skills, i.e., toileting, diapering, washing.

5. Supervises outside play and sees to the welfare, health, and safety of each child present.

6. Provides individual, small group and/or group instruction using appropriate behavior management

techniques such as -

a. Manages undesirable behaviors by using behavior management techniques that are appropriate for the

situation.

b. Avoids the use of negative behavior corrective terminology whenever feasible.

c. Requests teacher assistance when child specific behavior plan is needed.

7. Provides individual and/or small group instruction using appropriate teaching techniques such as -

a. Keeps verbal instruction/input brief and appropriate to language level of student.

b. Allows adequate time for child to respond.

c. Provides necessary assistance, only, to gain most independent response possible.

d. Provides immediate positive reinforcement and/or reinforcement as needed.

e. Acknowledges results, i.e., you picked up the toys so we can go outside.

8. Maintains a portfolio for each child showing their progression of skills in each area.

9. Participates in 25 hours of staff development and training activities annually, based on an individual staff

development plan to be updated annually.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Assists with miscellaneous housekeeping chores including meal preparation and cleanup.

2. Carries out the responsibilities of the Lead Teacher in their absence.

3. Other duties as assigned that support the mission of Sunshine School

This job description and the enumerated Essential Duties and Responsibilities are intended to provide

general guidelines for job expectations and the employee’s ability to perform the position described. This is

not intended to be an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional

functions and tasks may be assigned by the incumbent’s supervisor, or the agency as deemed appropriate.

Qualifications:

1. Minimum of high school diploma or GED

2. One year of teaching experience in special education and/or early childhood education, preferred.

3. Background clearance from the Child and Adult Abuse and Maltreatment Central Registry and Arkansas

State Police criminal background check.

4. Meet the agency’s requirements for drug screening.

Updated – May 2023

5. Essential physical and mental requirements to perform the duties of this position include:

Must be able to work in a constant state of alertness and concentrate for long periods of time. Regularly

required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers; handle or feel

objects, tools, or controls. The employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and

arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must often lift and/or move

up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision,

color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is

usually moderate to loud.

Days/hours:

Monday – Friday, 7:15 AM – 3:15 PM or 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM, as assigned per supervisor. This position’s work

requirements are based on the annual, in-center staff calendar.

This job description does not represent a contract of employment and is not meant to alter the at-will status of

an employee’s employment in any way. It is subject to change at any time, without prior notice,

as needed to support the agency mission.