Preschool Associate Teacher
New Today
JOB SUMMARY:
The Associate Teacher is responsible for working as a team with the Lead Teacher in the operation and management of the classroom. The Associate Teacher is responsible for adhering to Head Start Performance Standards, CAPE's policies and procedures, NAEYC, State Licensing Standards and CAPE's Mission Statement. Must be professional and be able to work cooperatively and respectfully with children, families, staff and community members.
EDUCATION AND REQUIREMENTS:
- Minimum 18 hours in ECE and actively pursuing Associate Degree.
- Must possess or obtain current (within one year of expiration) CPR, First Aid and Universal Precautions certifications.
- Pass required drug screens and criminal history checks including national fingerprinting.
- Annually provide proof of a physical, TB test or chest x-ray, and Physician's statement that provides evidence that the employee had no known communicable disease in an infectious state or physical or mental conditions, which could affect their ability to perform assigned duties. These items are at the employee's expense.
- Good communication skills
- Some experience preferred.
- Possession of valid driver's license and car insurance.
- Personal/reliable transportation.
- Bilingual/Spanish a plus.
- Must have ability to read, speak, and write with proficiency in the English language.
- Must be able to supervise staff and volunteers.
- Ability to work effectively with individuals of diverse educational, socio-economic, cultural backgrounds, and with disabilities or special needs.
- Must have sufficient strength and flexibility (ability to stoop, bend, lift, squat, kneel, twist, etc.) to frequently be at a child's level, sit on the floor with children, respond to a child's quick and frequent movements.
- Must have ability to work in an environment with high noise level and considerable activity. Possess the physical stamina to be outside daily as required (weather permitting, no local heat or health advisories for young children and temperatures above 25 degrees, wind chill factor) and the ability to walk and run on uneven surfaces.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES:
- Build a positive relationship with families and children.
- Provide a safe and nurturing environment. Report safety concerns to Local Site Supervisor/County Manager.
- Work as a team member with lead teacher to meet needs of children and classroom as a whole.
- Cooperate with other staff and classroom groups to maintain the smooth function of CAPE sites, which at times may require changes to meet the needs of the children.
- Assist in implementing Creative Curriculum in classroom.
- Meet the emotional, social, and cognitive needs of each child.
- Eat with and assist children in development of social and self-help skills, and sound nutritional practices.
- Use the playground as an extension of the classroom, assure the playground is safe daily.
- Provide constant supervision of children and ensure their well-being.
- Be a high-quality language model for all children and strongly support continued home language development.
- Strongly support the development of school readiness goals with all children.
- Attend work regularly. Follow CAPE's policies and procedures for reporting an absence.
- Work with Lead Teacher to ensure monthly newsletters, Color Me Healthy newsletters, Creative Curriculum parent letters and School Readiness Sheets are given to families.
- Maintain accurate daily attendance of children.
- Maintain daily open communication with parents.
- Maintain safe and healthy environment.
- Meet all applicable licensing regulations.
- Attend staff meetings and trainings.
- Participate in monthly fire drills, tornado drills and disaster drills (two times a year).
- Ensure Lead Teacher is informed of materials and supplies needed.
- Work with Lead Teacher to make necessary referrals to Manager of Disabilities/Mental Health and Nutrition and Family Advocate.
- Administer first aid when needed and document on an Injured Child Report.
- Complete sick child form as needed.
- Ensure classrooms are clean and orderly. Clean and arrange classroom environment in accordance to program goals and philosophy. Complete daily, weekly and monthly items on Classroom Cleaning log.
- Complete a Professional Development Plan annually.
- Work with Lead Teacher to ensure that DECAS, Outcomes, Conferences and Home Visits, Brigance's is completed and entered in ChildPlus.
- Use home visits and parent teacher conferences to discuss the child's individual development and progress, assist the parents in developing observational skills and solicit parent observations.
- Follow CACFP procedures in preparation and serving of meals and snacks.
- Work with Lead Teacher to complete bi-monthly and service plans.
- Complete CACFP log and turn in monthly to Local Site Supervisor or County Manager.
- Take inventory of First Aid kits monthly.
- Work with Lead Teacher to complete lesson plans on a weekly basis. Develop experiences that are developmentally appropriate and follow the Creative Curriculum framework.
- Work with Lead Teacher to plan educational experiences that are individualized using observations, Parent and School Readiness Goals.
- Generate and submit paperwork for in-kind donations on a regular basis within the scope of his or her description.
- Work with Lead Teacher to maintain NAEYC Program Portfolio.
- Supervise volunteers in classroom.
- Work with Lead Teacher to ensure children's files are up to date.
- Perform all other duties as assigned.
- Maintain confidentiality at all times.
- Location:
- Princeton