Teacher Assistant

SUMMARY:

Educare Lincoln is a collaborative partnership between the Lincoln Public Schools, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, and the Buffett Early Childhood Fund. The mission of Educare Lincoln is to help young children thrive socially, emotionally, and academically through high-quality early childhood education, and in partnership with their families and the community.

The Teacher Assistant works cooperatively with the Lead Teacher to plan and implement the daily education program for the children. Under the supervision of the Mentor Teacher and Lead Teacher, the Teacher Assistant ensures the education program is developmentally appropriate meeting the individual needs of children as well as program standards of Educare of Lincoln, Sixpence, the Nebraska Department of Education and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). In the absence of the Lead Teacher, the Teacher Assistant takes responsibility for the management of the classroom.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND KEY TASKS:

Child Development

• Observe, assess and document each assigned child’s health, skills, behavior, growth and development.
• Provide opportunities for children to develop positive self-images and experience success.
• As assigned, develop an individualized educational plan for each child.
• Contribute information for child and family staffing.
• As assigned, coordinate referrals for children with special needs or mental health needs with the Mentor Teacher.
• Foster positive relationships with all children in the classroom.

Classroom Management

• Maintain an attractive and stimulating learning environment and encourage children’s independence and self-selection of activities.
• Ensure that all children are under appropriate supervision and guidance at all times.
• Maintain a clean, safe and healthy classroom environment.
• Assist with the timely completion of necessary paperwork, including developmental assessments, lesson plans, newsletters, incident reports, etc.

Curriculum

• Assist in the planning and implementation of developmentally appropriate classroom activities that will enhance the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of each child.
• Assist in the development of lesson plans with goals, objectives, activities and outcomes for children and participate in implementing them intentionally.
• Assist in the integration of other areas, i.e., health, nutrition, mental health, disabilities and parent involvement, into the education plan.
• Assist in, or take responsibility for as assigned, the creation of documentation panels on a regular basis to make the learning that the children are experiencing visible to parents and visitors.

Parent Involvement

• Develop effective relationships with parents through regular informal conversations.
• As assigned by the Teacher, communicate with parents regularly about their child’s progress.
• As assigned, participate in home visits with each child’s family to clarify child and family needs.
• Encourage parent participation in program activities and in implementing education activities for their children at home.
• Develop effective partnerships with parents by encouraging input into all aspects of the educational program.

Other

• Participate in reflective supervision with primary supervisor.
• Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the job description.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School diploma or GED.
• Child Development Associate (CDA) required within the first year of hire.
• Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) preferred; OR 12 credit hours of either ECE college courses or certified ECE training preferred.
• Two or more years of experience working in an Early Childhood Center preferred.
• Must be able to pass a background check that meets compliance standards.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS / ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of curriculum, principles and best practices of early childhood education.
• Ability and willingness to remain abreast of developments in the child development/early childhood education field to enhance professional growth and development.
• Willingness to participate in Educare’s commitment to continuously review, analyze and apply findings from local and national evaluations to current program design.
• Knowledge of state childcare licensing requirements.
• Ability to work within an interdisciplinary team as a cooperative and supportive team member.
• Ability to establish supportive relationships and form an alliance with staff and families from diverse backgrounds on behalf of children
• Ability to effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, in a manner that demonstrates and fosters cooperation, respect, concern and openness to change.
• Ability to take, or think about, the perspective of others and demonstrate self-awareness of one’s own culture, beliefs, and values.
• Ability to physically interact with children including the ability to walk or run quickly, kneel or sit on floor, bend and lift, walk over rough or uneven ground, while in or outside of facility.
• Ability to lift, carry and move center/classroom equipment and supplies and/or bulky objects or children weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Organization skills with the ability to manage time and multiple priorities.
• Ability to collaboratively problem-solve.
• Maintain boundaries and performs all duties in an ethical and professional manner.
• Compliance with all confidentiality regulations as required.
• Ability to obtain First Aid and CPR certification.
• Ability to operate a computer and office equipment, including, but not limited to, a telephone, fax machine, and copier.