SUMMARY: This position is responsible for assisting the lead teacher with establishing an enriched and stimulating classroom environment that is orderly, well-run, and challenging for the children. This position will float between multiple classrooms assisting where necessary as well as maintain classrooms during after-school program. The working hours for this position are from 2PM - 6PM, Monday through Friday.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists the Lead Teachers in a classroom of 16 three-year-olds, 20 four-year-olds, or 14 advanced level five-year olds. 
• Supports the Lead Teacher in maintaining a high-quality program that adheres to state licensing codes and NAEYC standards.
• Maintains a healthy and safe indoor and outdoor environment.
• Assists with the documentation of children’s developmental growth by utilizing assessments, observations, portfolios, and reports.
• Models positive behavior, attitude, appropriate caregiving, and proper language for children.
• Attends all classroom and center meetings, as well as training workshops.
• Performs daily classroom operations including setting up activities, transitions, and clean-up.
• Administers first aid to ill or injured children when necessary.
• Will fill in for Assistant Teachers who are on vacation or are ill  
• Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must enjoy working with preschool-aged children in an educational setting. 
• Must be creative with art projects and classroom design 
• Must have the ability to solve conflicts among children in an effective manner
• Ability to read and speak Spanish is a plus but not required
• Must be current with required immunizations
• Must have patience and understanding
• Must be able to work your assigned 20, 30, or 40 hours per week shift in the facility
• Must have a clear criminal background and be able to pass a pre-employment drug screen

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, utilize hand and finger dexterity, climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel, or crawl.
• Continually required to speak, hear, taste or smell.
• May be required to sit on small furniture or the floor.
• Frequently exposed to outside weather conditions.
• Occasionally exposed to bloodborne and airborne pathogens or infectious materials.
• The noise level in the classrooms or outdoors may at times be relatively loud.
• Must be able to lift and/or move up to 35 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision; distance vision; color vision; peripheral vision; depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

COMPETENCIES:

• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings on time.
• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict between children; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Effectively organizes and schedules children’s activities; Develops realistic action plans.
• Safety and Security – Makes children's safety and security a priority. Observes safety and security procedures; Determine appropriate action beyond guidelines; Report potentially unsafe conditions; Encourage the proper use of equipment and materials.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information. Communicates effectively with parents.

This job description is intended to be an outline of the general requirements needed to perform the job of Assistant  Teacher well. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Management has the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of this job at any time.