Classroom Instructor (45769)

Mission Contribution: Strengthens families by providing a safe and nurturing environment for children.

About the Role

To provide basic care, special instruction, and educational services to children enrolled in the Child Development Center or participating in Family Support Services at the CDC.

Responsibilities

• Provides a loving, consistent, nurturing, and safe learning environment that promotes acceptance and increases confidence and self-esteem for all children, including an understanding of any special needs they may have.
• Prepares and implements assigned curriculum each day and provides a structured learning environment for children, including goals and activities recommended on the child’s IEP/IFSP if applicable.
• Prepares and displays weekly lesson plans for the benefit of parents and support staff.
• Prepares, serves, and assists children in feeding snacks and meals, following procedures for the USDA Childcare Food Program if applicable.
• Diapers, toilets, and assists children in potty training as needed/scheduled; works with the child’s family to meet this goal as appropriate.
• Maintains a clean, orderly, and child-friendly classroom and diaper-changing area, including safe handling of supplies, materials, and equipment, appropriate physical arrangement, and display of children’s artwork and bulletin boards.
• Completes daily cleaning duties in the classroom (sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, disinfecting tables, chairs, toys, changing table, washing dishes, utensils, emptying trash, and diaper pail). Completes other cleaning duties as assigned.
• Follows assigned schedule for lunch, kitchen duties, and center clean-up.
• Maintains clear communication with parents and program staff through daily reports, monthly and/or quarterly progress reports for assigned children, and other required information.
• Implements appropriate behavior management techniques with children, including those with special behavioral or developmental needs.
• Provides support for special education or early intervention services, including ongoing assessment of each child’s strengths, needs, and developmental progress. Reports observations to supervisor, parents, and other team members.
• Stays informed of program information by reading daily news, minutes of staff meetings, monthly newsletters, and other memos; participates in scheduled meetings and in-service trainings.
• Observes all safety procedures and personnel policies.
• Adheres to a Monday–Friday schedule with occasional evenings and weekends as scheduled.

Requirements

• Acts as a positive role model for employees and trainees in all aspects of professional performance.
• Markets Goodwill and explains the mission to the general public.
• Maintains confidentiality of information.
• Reads, writes, and communicates clearly in English.
• Maintains effective working relationships with team members, coworkers, and a variety of people.
• Functions in a hectic work environment with occasional periods of high stress.
• Obtains CPR certification, food handlers permit annually, and other training as required by DHR personnel standards for licensed childcare centers.
• Holds a valid driver’s license for at least 3 years, liability automobile insurance, and is insurable through the agency’s insurance carrier.
• Passes a drug screen, including random drug testing as required by the Drug-Free Workplace policy.
• Is at least 21 years of age.

Qualifications

The following are classifications of education levels for Goodwill Classroom Instructors:

• Classroom Instructor I: High school diploma/GED with at least 2 years of experience in a childcare setting.
• Classroom Instructor II: Associate degree in Early Childhood Education with a minimum of six semester hours specifically related to infant/toddlers or Pre-K, or an Infant/Toddler or Preschool Child Development Associate (CDA) with at least two years of experience in a childcare setting.
• Classroom Instructor III: Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education with at least 2 years of experience in a childcare setting.

Physical Requirements

• Uses hands, fingers, and wrists repetitively while using a computer keyboard.
• Occasionally spends 2 to 4 hours a day in strenuous physical activity.
• Stands, bends, sits on the floor, stoops, walks, talks, hears, uses hands to grip, and reaches with arms.
• Carries items weighing up to 40 lbs.

Critical Performance Factors

• Respects the individuality of each child and shows sensitivity to and acceptance of each child’s feelings and needs.
• Provides attentive supervision of children at all times and ensures an authorized adult is always present.
• Ensures children experience a nurturing environment and learning activities are developmentally appropriate and engaging.
• Implements a positive approach to behavior management, setting simple, clear, and consistent guidelines while providing assistance and support.
• Is knowledgeable of the Department of Human Resources Minimum Standards for daycare centers and complies with guidelines.
• Communicates pertinent information respectfully and clearly to coworkers, parents, and service providers on a daily and/or weekly basis.
• Maintains integrity by immediately reporting suspicions of child abuse or neglect, coworker inappropriate conduct, and other unacceptable behaviors within Goodwill’s Children and Family Services Policies.

Working Conditions

This work is performed in a preschool classroom setting, requiring walking, standing, bending, and carrying items weighing up to 40 lbs. At times, the employee will sit on the floor, stand, stoop, bend, walk, talk, hear, use hands to grip, type, and reach with arms. Occasionally spends 2 to 4 hours a day in strenuous physical activity.