Assistant Teacher
: Job Details :

Position Type: Elementary School Teaching/Early ChildhoodDate Posted: 11/4/2024Location: Overbrook SchoolDate Available: ASAPClosing Date: until filledResponsibilities: The Assistant Teacher shares responsibility with the lead teacher for the care and education of an assigned group of children. Along with the lead teacher, the assistant is responsible for implementing curriculum, learning experience plans, supervising children, communicating with parents, and providing a healthy and safe environment for children. The successful candidate must have an Associates Degree or equivalent and working towards a Bachelors Degree with at least 12 credits in Early Childhood Education from an accredited college or university. This position is a 12-month, full time position. The salary range is $40,685.00 with full benefits. Job Title: Early Childhood Assistant Teacher (Preschool Program) Description: The East Haven School Readiness program is seeking a seasoned, energetic, and team-oriented individual with a desire to positively impact our East Haven Family Resource Center and the community. Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Primary Role & Responsibilities: The Assistant Early Childhood Teacher is a member of the teaching team who shares responsibility with the lead teacher for the care and education of an assigned group of children. Along with the lead teacher, the assistant is responsible for implementing curriculum, learning experience plans, supervising children, communicating with parents, and providing a healthy and safe environment for children. Qualifications: Applicants must:

• Have an Associates Degree or equivalent and working towards a Bachelors Degree with at least 12 credits in Early Childhood Education from an accredited college or university.
• Have experience working in a preschool environment.
• Possess, or be willing to obtain, certifications in CPR, CT Child Care, and Administration of Medication.
• Meet Federal as well as individual State requirements (i.e. TB test, physical, fingerprints) and maintain credentials for the position (i.e. ongoing trainings).
• Demonstrate knowledge of developmentally-appropriate curriculum practices.
• Be willing to take required early childhood course-work to comply with School Readiness Grant requirements.
• Be well-organized and conduct work independently.
• Have excellent computer, interpersonal, and writing skills.
• Be able to lift 40 pounds.

Professionalism:

• Believe that all children can learn and succeed.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding issues concerning other faculty members, children and families, or East Haven Family Resource Program management and operations.
• Maintain professional dress code. (Included in the Staff Handbook.)
• Support organizational mission, philosophies, values, goals, and policies to parents, co-workers, and the community.
• Ensure continuity of care for children by reporting to work on time and maintaining consistent attendance, and communicating leave requests in advance.
• Follow staffing schedules and be flexible as program needs change.
• Attend staff meetings, training sessions, and other program events.
• Listen and positively respond to constructive criticism with a mindset that promotes a willingness to learn and grow.
• Provide feedback to program directors/leaders in a respectful and meaningful manner.

Curriculum:

• Implement a developmentally-appropriate, literature-based curriculum that reflects observations and assessments of individual children and goals jointly developed with parents.

• Design an environment that responds to children's individual developmental levels, physical, and emotional needs, and current interests that meet guidelines set forth by NAEYC.
• Provide a variety of developmentally-appropriate materials and activities that are reflective of Learning Experience Plans, foster social skills, encourage children to think, problem- solve, question, and experiment.
• Foster positive self-concept by supporting individuality, independence, and the ability to make choices. Encourage creative expression.
• Demonstrate respect for diversity by providing anti-bias, nonsexist language, images, and experiences that reflect both center and global communities.
• Plan a daily schedule that provides a balance of activities: quiet/active, indoor/outdoor, fine/gross motor, etc.
• Plan and implement child-oriented, self-initiated activities while limiting large group faculty-initiated activities.
• Create documentation of children's accomplishments through anecdotal notes and portfolios in accordance with the State of Connecticut Preschool Assessment Frameworks.

Interaction between Faculty and Children/ Faculty and Parent:

• Interact frequently, affectionately, and respectfully by smiling and speaking to children in a friendly, calm, soft, courteous manner within close proximity of the child.
• Respect and observe children's interests. Intervene when needed to maintain safety.
• Enhance children's play with language, toys, and activities.

• Engage and communicate constructively with individual children during activities and routines. Take every opportunity to positively extend children's thinking and actions.
• Be available and responsive to children's needs, questions, and requests.
• Encourage and model social behavior and expectations that are developmentally-appropriate.
• Acknowledge feelings with sensitivity and demonstrate appropriate expression of emotions. Communicate directly with each child at the child's level.
• Practice positive discipline techniques when responding to or guiding children's behavior.
• Be attentive, flexible, and supportive of children and their families during transitions to and from classrooms.

• Acknowledge parents and all classroom visitors. Demonstrate a friendly, courteous, and professional demeanor.
• Respond to parents' concerns and comments with sensitivity, interest, and respect. Maintain confidentiality. Establish and maintain a primary care, giving relationship with individual children and their families that includes initial meeting with families during orientation period. Shares resources with parents through discussions, articles, parent boards, newsletters, and community contacts.
• Invite input from parents regarding their child's development and care.
• Communicate verbally and in writing with parents daily regarding the development and specific activities of the children and their primary care.
• Plan and facilitate in regular parent conferences to discuss orientation, transitions, and developmental goals for their child based on the State of Connecticut Preschool Assessment Frameworks.

Physical Environment, Health, Safety and Nutrition:

• Maintain and follow all safety and health rules of the program.
• Supervise children at all times. Demonstrate awareness of entire group while working with a small group or individuals.
• Know the number of children in applicable group and maintain defined teacher-to-student ratios at all times. Maintain accurate attendance records throughout the day.
• Complete appropriate paperwork (i.e. accident, medication, allergies).
• Encourage children to utilize appropriate health, safety, and nutritional practices.

• Keep environment and equipment safe, clean, and attractive. Encourage respect for classroom materials. Notify designated individual in advance when supplies are needed.
• Arrange space in clearly-defined, well-organized activity areas. Organize a variety of materials on low, open shelves for children to use independently.

We strongly encourage applications from individuals belonging to historically marginalized groups, including racial and ethnic minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. Our hiring process is designed to ensure fairness, impartiality, and equal opportunities for all qualified applicants. We embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion, striving to create a culturally responsive environment. We conform to the spirit of and the letter of local policy, applicable laws and regulations, such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX, of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Civil Rights Act of 1987, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act (CFEPA).