Assistant Teacher

About the role

The E-Start Assistant Teacher assists the teacher in providing children with a learning environment and varied experiences which will help them develop in all areas in a manner appropriate to their age and stage of development, in enhancing parents’ role as the principal influence on the child’s education and development and to support children’s physical well-being and access to on-going health services. The primary focus of this position is assisting the teacher in the learning activities.

Responsibilities

• Daily Program: Participates in planning with teachers and other staff members. Participates in preparation of materials and the environment. Assists in maintaining a safe, orderly and developmentally appropriate environment.
• Interactions with Children and Families: Interacts positively with all children to support their individual learning and meets their emotional needs. Works with the teachers in communicating regularly and respectfully with families and involving them in the program.
• Environment: Helps maintain a safe and healthy environment for children which is reflective of the cultures and languages of the enrolled families, and supervises children in the classroom, outdoor spaces and on field trips.
• Individualizing: Participates in ongoing assessment of individual children including written observations, work samples, and developmental checklist. Participates in developing and implementing individual learning plans (ILP). Assists in providing a curriculum and environment which meets the needs of every child, including those with disabilities.
• Health and Development Screening: Assist in administering screenings and performing health duties.
• Meals: Participates in meal preparations, family-style meal implementation and cleanup. Plans, sets-up and prepares meals as appropriate; cleans up dishes, wipes down tables, and stores food; eats family style meals with children. Serves food, identifying children’s dietary accommodations with information provided by teacher/family support specialist. Completes USDA paperwork.
• Record Keeping: Helps maintain complete written records for each child/family, which are stored in a confidential manner.
• Interdisciplinary Planning: Participates as a team member in interdisciplinary planning for children and families, and other cross-component coordination efforts.
• Parent Involvement: Participates in, encourages, and supports family involvement in all aspects of the program, including parent gatherings/meetings. May visit parents in their homes.
• Duties in Absence of Teacher: When requested, assumes responsibilities of teacher in his/her absence.
• Staff Training: Attends pre-service and other staff in-service trainings.

Qualifications

• Education and Experience: Washington State ECE Initial Certificate, Short Certificate of Specialization, or Certificate OR Current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential (any focus) from the Council for Professional Recognition OR 12 job-related credits (Substitution: Professional Development Plan to complete above qualifications)
• Preferred Qualifications: One (1) school year (9 months) experience in a preschool classroom

Skills

• Knowledge/awareness of own cultural identity and how this influences behavior, and desire to learn about the cultural identity of others.
• Ability to establish and nurture an environment that promotes cultural competence and equitable treatment of staff, students, and patrons of the District.
• Ability to understand and hold self and others accountable for promoting the Federal Way Public Schools’ commitment to “Each Scholar: A Voice. A Dream. A Bright Future.”
• Ability to recognize that each person is a unique individual even as we celebrate their group cultural heritage.

Benefits

Required Qualifications: The position includes the following benefits prorated based on FTE - Medical, dental, vision; sick, life insurance and retirement