Classroom Support Specialist - Bilingual Spanish

Major Functions/Accountabilities

• Support the quality of the classroom by working in partnership with leadership, other classroom staff, and consultants.
• Create a classroom atmosphere in which children can develop physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and creatively, and create a developmentally appropriate environment.
• Create an inclusive environment that supports children with disabilities, social-emotional needs, and challenging behaviors, ensuring all children feel welcomed and supported.
• Implement developmentally appropriate practice within the classroom, including utilizing materials and studies from the Creative Curriculum.
• Support the full inclusion of children with identified and suspected disabilities and/or children who need extra social-emotional support.
• Use data from child outcomes, screenings, and IFSPs/IEPs to guide lesson planning for individual children and for the group.
• Maintain up-to-date documentation in Child Plus, Teaching Strategies GOLD, child education files, and child portfolios.
• Ensure all children within the classroom have sufficient, high-quality observations and implement active supervision systems, ensuring the active supervision and safety of children so that no child is ever left alone or unsupervised.
• Document observations and interventions attempted in the classroom in the database system.
• Support social-emotional development using the pyramid model.
• Prepare reports on classroom activities, including attendance records.
• Attend and/or complete required and recommended training and meetings.
• Invest in your own development and complete an ongoing professional development plan.
• Support the center in maintaining the highest levels in ExeleRate and NAEYC Accreditation.
• Ensure that the center is a clean and safe learning environment for all children. Share responsibility for cleaning up after all classroom activities and proper care of classroom equipment and supplies.
• Support the center’s school readiness goals.
• Implement policies and procedures with Early Head Start/Prevention Initiative and Head Start/Preschool for All programs.

Education/Certification

• Required: Minimum of either Infant/Toddler or Preschool CDA Credential and must achieve both credentials within one year of hire if no degree.
• PREFERRED: Associate's degree in early childhood education, with a minimum of 30 college credits with 15 hours in ECE.
• ECE Level 2 and/or Infant Toddler ECE Level 2 within one year of hire.
• A paraprofessional license is required within 6 months of hire.

Experience Requirements

• 1 year of early childhood classroom experience.
• 1 year of experience in serving culturally and linguistically diverse children in early childhood settings.
• 1 year of experience in Head Start/Early Head Start preferred.

Knowledge

• Microsoft Office Suite or related software including Microsoft Teams.
• Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies GOLD.
• Head Start Performance Standards.
• Knowledge of Illinois Early Learning Guidelines (IELGs)
• Knowledge of Illinois Early Learning Development Standards (IELDSs)

Vehicle/Transportation Requirements

• Valid driver’s license
• Auto insurance
• Reliable vehicle

Skills/Abilities

• Ability to multi-task in a high stress environment.
• Ability to interact with diverse personalities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Basic competency with office equipment including laptops and other portable devices.
• Completion of a minimum of 15 hours of continuing education per year.
• Willing to work flexible hours to accommodate the needs of the families.