Teacher Assistant

Brief Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Teacher Assistant is responsible for assisting the Lead Teacher and Teacher in the care and learning of children within the classroom.

Our Culture

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger, beginning with you.

Essential Functions

• Assist in developing and implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum aligned with MA Dept. of Early Education and Care (EEC) guidelines, Developmental Standards, and YMCA policies.
• Collaborate with the Lead Teacher and Teacher to prepare and deliver lesson plans for indoor and outdoor activities.
• Conduct ongoing assessments of children’s progress, document findings, and review with the Lead Teacher and Teacher.
• Incorporate Y Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) Standards into daily routines through positive role modeling.
• Maintain classroom learning centers per ECERS Environmental Rating Scale standards.
• Provide daily communication to families, including updates on children’s activities and progress.
• Ensure compliance with MA EEC regulations for sign-in/out procedures and maintain accurate attendance and meal reports.
• Conduct daily health checks, document findings, and follow all health, safety, and emergency protocols.
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities.
• Foster a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment by building supportive relationships with children and families.
• Communicate professionally, modeling YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe classroom and workplace environment.
• Support and participate in special events and parent/family-oriented activities.
• Serve daily snacks/meals following child nutrition program guidelines and maintain related documentation.
• Serve as a positive role model by maintaining a professional appearance, ensuring clear identification as YMCA staff, and upholding a demeanor that positively represents the organization.
  
  

Leadership Competencies

Engaging Community-Builds bridges with others in the community to ensure the Y’s work is community-focused and welcoming of all, providing community benefit.

Inclusion-Values all people for their unique talents and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as cultural competence.

Communication & Influence-Listens and expresses self effectively and in a way that engages, inspires, and builds commitment to the Y’s cause.

Emotional Maturity-Demonstrates ability to understand and manage emotions effectively in all situations.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 18 years old
• High School Diploma or GED
• Participate in ongoing early childhood staff development
• Certifications required before working with children: Child Abuse Prevention Training, New Employee Orientation, all RI DHS and MA EEC requirements.
• Certifications required within the first 60 days of hire: YMCA approved basic lifesaving skills such as CPR, First Aid, AED, and Emergency Oxygen, RI DHS
• Pre-service Health & Safety Training. This position must have the ability to respond to safety and emergency situations.
  
  

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in a fast-paced environment. Position may occasionally require attending meetings at different off-site locations.
• Sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions of position and to safely supervise children’s activities.
• Visual acuity is required for reading computer screens and/or documents and making changes as necessary/required.
• This job requires high levels of alertness and concentration. This position requires analytical abilities and multitasking to identify problems and recommend solutions.
• This job requires accuracy and attention to detail, organizational, and time management skills, while maintaining high levels of initiative to work within deadlines.
• Occasional stooping and bending with regular lifting of up to 20 pounds is required.
• The incumbent must be able to sit and stand for long periods of time, and the ability to manipulate keyboards, telephone keypads, and writing utensils is essential.