Part Time Teacher - Infant - Longview Center

About the role

The Teacher Aide is responsible for providing care for a group of children as part of a teaching team, working with any age group from infant to Pre-K classrooms.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe and healthy environment by promoting healthy eating practices, sharing routine duties (supervision on playground, toileting, cleanup, classroom maintenance), keeping rooms and areas neat and clean, and following hand washing and sanitizing procedures.
• Interact with children during supervised activities, participate in child/teacher-initiated activities, and use equipment/materials to promote physical development.
• Implement planned activities and ensure materials are prepared in advance; engage children in learning activities outdoors.
• Follow Active Supervision policies to ensure children’s safety at all times.
• Support social and emotional development by facilitating hands-on activities that build self-esteem and social skills, demonstrating cultural awareness, using positive guidance techniques, and encouraging independence in decision making and self-care.
• Greet children upon arrival and departure, show affection and attention daily, and help children work through problems by encouraging expression of feelings and appropriate responses.
• Work with children who have special needs and their families.
• Establish positive and productive relationships with families by greeting parents and visitors warmly, encouraging parental participation, and maintaining open communication.
• Attend staff meetings, conferences, and in-service training; apply new knowledge and share it with staff; promote the agency’s philosophy and educational objectives.
• Report to the Center Director before the workday begins when planning to be absent; maintain good attendance and punctuality; follow center rules regarding breaks, telephones, and timekeeping.
• Demonstrate proficiency in required job skills, maintain current knowledge of trends and best practices in early childhood education, and work independently with minimal guidance.
• Assist the Lead Teacher and Teacher in assessing children’s progress.
• Work effectively as a team member, maintain positive relationships with staff, resolve conflicts, and adapt to center changes as needed.

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills

• Proficient knowledge of child development and early education theories and practices.
• Understanding of safe and appropriate activities for children and relevant policies to ensure supervision and safety.
• Familiarity with the early education and family center cultural environment.
• Demonstrated team building, supervisory, analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, communication, stress management, time management, and teaching skills.
• Maintain strict confidentiality as an early learning professional.
• Ability to be respectful, culturally aware and sensitive, flexible, and compassionate; uphold sound work ethics and consistency.

Education, Training, and Experience

• High school diploma or GED with 2 or more years of Early Childhood Education experience preferred.
• OR High school diploma or GED plus one of the following:
  • Enrollment in CDA within 12 months of hire
  • High school diploma plus course credits
  • Child Development Associate (CDA) credential
  • Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC)
  • Technical College Diploma (TCD)
  • Associate degree with 60 or more total credit hours toward a Bachelor’s
  • Completed BA/BS

Physical Demands

• Lift and carry children and equipment: 30 lbs unassisted, 50 lbs with assistance.
• Capability to sit on the floor and stand independently to interact with children.
• Clean and maintain equipment and the center.
• Take precautions to ensure health and safety due to potential exposure to illness.
• Work in a busy and occasionally noisy environment with multiple simultaneous activities.
• Use arms, legs, and whole body for activities such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Ability to learn and use technology.
• Pass a hearing test.
• Visually observe children from all areas of the classroom and playground from at least 20 feet away.

Special Requirements

• Background check, fingerprinting, and drug test required prior to hire.
• Ability to handle stressful situations and ensure children are supervised and engaged in safe activities.
• Preparedness to respond to accidents and emergencies at any time.