Job Title: Preschool Teacher Assistant
FLSA Code: Non-Exempt, Part- time
Reports to: Early Childhood Director
Program Area: BYN-Breakthrough Beginners
WE ARE BREAKTHROUGH
Educators have identified early childhood education as one of the most critical necessities for preparing urban youth for academic success. Breakthrough Beginners, an early childhood education program, equips young children with a strong academic foundation for kindergarten and fosters social and emotional development in young children.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Assistant Teacher works in collaboration with the Lead Teacher, Director, and staff to support families and foster the holistic development of children ages 2-5.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / FUNCTIONS:
- Assist in establishing and maintaining an environment for children which is clean, safe, stimulating, and appropriate for each child’s developmental level.
- Promote healthy eating practices through participating in family style meals and planning and implementing nutritional activities.
- Work collaboratively with center staff to meet and maintain licensing requirements.
- Assume the role of leadership in the absence of the teacher.
- Interact with children in accordance with developmentally appropriate practices as established by NAEYC guidelines.
- Manage classroom through positive redirection, problem-solving, setting appropriate limits, and active listening.
- Support Lead Teacher in the development and implementation of daily, weekly, and monthly lesson plans and assist with implementation.
- Communicate parent questions or concerns to Lead Teacher or Director.
- Communicate your concerns about a child’s development to Lead Teacher or Director.
- Promote and support a welcoming environment by welcoming each child and family at arrival and departure.
- Maintain the daily schedule of the room.
- Assist in observation and documentation of individual progress through anecdotal notes, development checklist, portfolio assessments, and other screenings.
- Attend staff meetings, parent meetings, and other mandatory professional development meetings.
- Keep open communication with staff and co-workers.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding staff, families, and children at all times.
- Upon hire, each employee must become CPR and First Aid certified, complete the Child Abuse Recognition and Prevention as mandated by DCFS, and begin the credential process through Illinois Gateways to Opportunity.
- Work collaboratively with staff to adhere to all guidelines provided by partner agencies included but not limited to Easterseals, DFSS, and DCFS
- Assist with documentation into Teaching Strategies Gold
- Perform other duties as assigned.
JOB REQUIREMENTS:
- Clear Criminal Records Background Check
- Proof of Medical Exam and Negative TB Test
- Must have some classroom experience.
- Knowledge of urban issues regarding youth, children and families
- Must be reliable and demonstrate initiative and follow-through capabilities.
- Must be physically able to perform the job of a teacher of young children.
- Must have a warm, supportive attitude toward children.
- Must be flexible in receiving assignments or adapting to changes in the program.
- Demonstrates willingness to consistently improve work performance through their relationship and guidance from supervisor.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must have achieved 60 semester hours of credits from an accredited college or university with 6 semester hours in courses related directly to childcare and/or child development from birth to age six or
- 1 year experience in a licensed childcare center and 30 semester hours of credits from an accredited college or university with 6 semester hours in courses related directly to childcare and or child development, from birth to age six.
COMENSATION/BENEFITS:
We offer competitive wages, free fitness center membership, employee discounts and more.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
Work Environment
The typical work environment is in a classroom setting. Noise will be moderate to high depending on activities in a multi-purpose facility.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, stoop, and walk.
The employee must occasionally lift and or move up to the 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
Safety Requirements
Prior to the first day of work, must complete a criminal background & sex offender clearance.
Equipment Used
The employee will generally use general office equipment including but not limited to general classroom items, telephone, computer, calculator, copier, paper shredder, paper cutter, and filing systems.
Additional Information
A review of this description has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. All duties and requirements are essential job functions. All requirements are subject to possible modifications to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves, other employees or individuals served.
This description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties requested by the supervisor.
Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent will possess the abilities or aptitude to perform each duty proficiently. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.
STATEMENTS
Breakthrough is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or any other non-merit factors. If reasonable accommodation is needed for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact us via the telephone number listed above. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.