Assistant Teach - Infant/Toddler Class

About This Role Earthplace Preschool is currently hiring a Full-Time Assistant Teacher in our Infant/Toddler Classroom for the "opening shift" of 7:30am - 3:30pm Earthplace Preschool offers a unique brand of nature-based preschool in Westport, CT - each day, students learn through exploration, investigation, and experimentation! Students construct their own learning using critical thinking skills, creativity, and innovation. These young children need guidance in language acquisition, encouragement of gross motor and fine motor skills, as well assistance with toilet training and other self-help and self-care skills. They are also just beginning to share, think about others' feelings, and form meaningful friendships. Earthplace is looking for teachers with an understanding of child development to help encourage these skills within this unique group of children. Teachers will be offered training opportunities throughout the year - at Earthplace, we encourage and expect teachers to increase their knowledge and facilitate the learning of young children! What You'll Do Preschool teachers work as part of a team - at Earthplace Preschool, we understand that the teacher's approach and demeanor set the tone for the classroom. An intentional, thoughtful approach and calm demeanor are imperative for success with young children. The Assistant Teacher is a member of the teaching team who shares the responsibility with the Lead Teacher for the care and education of an assigned group of children. The Assistant Teacher is responsible for planning with the teaching team, implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum, student supervision, and helping to provide a healthy and safe learning environment. An Assistant Teacher must consistently demonstrate the ability to: assist Lead Teacher in establishing and maintaining a safe and healthy learning environmentadvance cognitive and physical development using Teaching Strategies Gold and the ELDS as a guideassist Lead Teacher in using multiple sources to assess and understand children’s needsassist Lead Teacher in adapting classroom routines, environment, and instructional methods and strategies to meet students’ needssupport social and emotional development and provide positive guidanceassist Lead Teacher in establishing positive and productive relationships with familiesensure a well-run, purposeful program responsive to participant needsmaintain a commitment to professional growth and developmentspend ample time outdoors, bend, squat, lift children (weighing up to 50 lbs)teachers must be prepared with appropriate clothing and mental mindset to spend one hour outside, each day, regardless of weather conditions, within the Earthplace safety perimeterunderstand and adhere to the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct An Assistant Teacher must consistently demonstrate the willingness to: accept guidance and coaching from his or her Lead Teacherask the Lead Teacher for help and support when neededmaintain current CPR, First Aid, Medication Administration (including Epi-Pen), and OSHA trainingattend professional development workshops and/or college courses that meet the required 1% of hours worked per yearspend at least one hour each day outdoors and interact with nature in a meaningful and purposeful waykeep the classroom clean according to the NAEYC and state licensing standardsparticipate in and facilitate NAEYC Accreditationparticipate in two Earthplace events per year Requirements courses in Early Childhood Education and/or 2 years of experience working with toddlers and/or preschoolerspassion and commitment to make a positive difference in the lives of young children and familiesstrong work ethic, reliable and timely attendance, and a desire to learnworking knowledge of CT Statutes and Regulations, NAEYC criteria, and the CT ELDSability to work collaboratively as part of a teaching teamcomfort spending ample time outdoorsphysically able to bend, squat, get down and up from the floor, and lift up to 50 lbs to chest height Benefits Health InsuranceDental InsuranceVision InsuranceLife InsuranceRetirement PlanChild Care DiscountProfessional Development