Assistant Teacher, 10-month, Full-Time

About the role

The Guidance Center is a leading organization dedicated to providing comprehensive services to children, adults, and families since 1958. With 25 programs serving over 18,000 individuals annually, we focus on fostering development, resilience, and well-being.

Responsibilities

• Ensure daily activities and interactions align with the program's mission and goals.
• Plan and implement appropriate early childhood activities based on the Preschool HighScope curriculum.
• Maintain a clean, nurturing, and safe environment that supports children's growth and development.
• Adhere to and comply with The Guidance Center's policies and procedures, including Office of Head Start Performance Standards.
• Demonstrate cultural competency and sensitivity towards diverse backgrounds, needs, and experiences of children, families, and staff.

Requirements

• A minimum of an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field, with 12 credit hours in Early Childhood Education.
• A Preschool Child Development Associate Certificate (CDA) or a state-awarded certificate meeting CDA requirements, or enrollment in a program leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree.
• Knowledge and understanding of early childhood development and ability to implement developmentally appropriate curriculum practices.
• Previous experience working with preschool children in a classroom setting.
• Ability to lift up to 60 pounds unassisted during emergencies.
• A nonjudgmental approach reflecting cultural competency and sensitivity to diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Ability to handle crisis situations appropriately.
• Physical stamina to stand consecutively for 3-1/2 hours per part-day class session and 5 hours per full-day class session.
• Ability to move between sitting on the floor and standing, and chair sitting to standing at least 20 times per session.
• Flexibility to bend and stoop to child level and lift for urgent situations.
• Capacity to sit on the floor or a child-size chair for up to 60 minutes multiple times during a class session.

Qualifications

To apply, candidates must possess a valid physical examination and background check.

Skills

Strong communication skills, patience, and the ability to work effectively in a team environment are essential.

Benefits

The Guidance Center offers a competitive salary, flexible scheduling options, and a supportive team-oriented work environment.

Pay

Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

Schedule

Flexibility in scheduling is offered to accommodate the needs of both the employee and the program.