FT Staff: Assistant Teacher - Infants/Toddlers/Preschool

About the role

The Assistant Teacher assists the Lead Teacher in classroom management, supervision, and teaching of infants, toddlers, and preschool students in the Child Development Center. They also ensure the health, welfare, and safety of students, maintain records, and stay updated on compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Effectively assists in the teaching of infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged students.
• Aids in planning and implementing a model instructional program for infants and toddlers.
• Aids in developing and implementing individualized daily routines and curriculum for infants and toddlers.
• Aids in establishing appropriate limits for children and enforcing them in a positive manner.
• Encourages toddlers to develop and model positive attitudes towards various ethnic, racial, and social groups.
• Aids in utilizing teaching strategies that enhance development in domains of social, language, cognitive, and physical development, including appropriate instructional technology.
• Aids in assessing children based on guidelines of Teaching Strategies GOLD.
• Maintains an open, friendly, and cooperative relationship with each child's family, encouraging their involvement in the program.
• Aids in managing the classroom environment.
• Aids in organizing the classroom according to appropriate developmental levels and individual needs.
• Promotes secure relationships with infants and toddlers.
• Provides warm, caring, nurturing, positive, and supportive responses to all children.
• Aids in providing positive guidance and discipline to support the social and emotional development of each infant and toddler.
• Aids in coordinating parent/family volunteers in the classroom.
• Aids in conducting developmental screenings of infants and toddlers in accordance with program policies and procedures.
• Aids in accompanying the Lead Teacher in conducting at least two home visits and two parent conferences with each child's family per year.
• Aids in meeting the daily needs of all children (i.e., food prep, toileting).
• Aids in assisting children in developing good health and hygiene habits.
• Aids in making appropriate accommodations to ensure child outcomes are achieved with children who have health issues.
• Reports all student injuries, accidents, illnesses, and discipline problems to the appropriate authority immediately or as soon as is reasonable possible, as outlined in the Center’s Staff Handbook.
• Aids in the daily spraying of toys with bleach water solution and a weekly deep cleaning of toys using the Center’s preferred method of sanitizing.
• Participates in professional development to remain current in childcare licensing, policies, and regulations.
• Fulfills NAEYC accreditation and Division of Child Development Licensing requirements.
• Satisfactorily completes required training on North Carolina child abuse and neglect laws and procedures and indicators of child abuse and neglect.
• Improves professional competence and performance by engaging in child care professional development and pursuing programs of self-development.

Requirements

• Associate degree in Child Development Education from an accredited institution of higher learning or a related discipline required; Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education preferred.
• Internship or work field experience in a birth-kindergarten center.
• Current certification in First Aid and CPR.
• Ability to speak, read, and write Spanish fluently required.
• Responsible, dependable, well-organized, and demonstrates a high level of integrity.
• Ability to maintain a positive and professional attitude.
• Good organizational skills.

Qualifications

• Must have a philosophy consistent with the Mission, Vision, and Core Values of the organization.
• Strong oral and written presentation skills.
• Ability to work well independently and as a member of a team.
• Excellence in organization, decision-making, problem-solving, and creating a collaborative environment.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak fluently in English.

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit or stand for up to 8 hours/day and climb stairs as required.
• Some lifting (up to 25 pounds occasionally), bending, and carrying.
• Specific vision abilities include the ability to use close vision.
• The employee is regularly required to talk and hear, and to use hands and fingers to handle or feel.