Our Mission:

Hourly rate $18.00 per hour

JOB SUMMARY

The Teaching Assistant position will assist the Lead Teacher and the classroom in its daily functioning. This position will assist in assuring that all Office of Early Childhood (OEC) and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) requirements are implemented in the classroom. This position will be responsible for assisting with planning and implementation of the identified age appropriate curriculum in the classroom. Encourage self-esteem and independence for the social, emotional, cognitive and physical needs of the children within the classroom. Interacting with both children and caregivers on a daily basis. The Teaching Assistant will also participate in the evaluation of student progress through the use of observations using the CT Documentation and Observation for Teaching System in alignment with the CT Early Learning Standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Serves as an assistant to the classroom and its daily functioning.
2. Participates in preschool planning meetings to build effective collaborative efforts.
3. Provides input on student progress.
4. Records and maintains child observations on the benchmarks during each recording period.
5. Scores observations according to the CT Documentation and Observation for Teaching System and submits to Lead Teacher and/or Program Supervisor for review.
6. Treats children in developmentally appropriate ways, as well as serves all children without bias or favoritism.
7. Encourages children’s independence and pro-social behavior.
8. Disciplines children in a positive, firm, and consistent way.
9. Reports incidents to the teacher.
10. Monitors children.
11. Helps with dressing and toileting.
12. Attends special activities.
13. Sets up, prepares and cleans up snack in classroom.
14. Prepares materials for activities.
15. Sets up, cleans up materials before and after activities.
16. Leads activities with individual children, small groups, and/or large groups as appropriate.
17. Distributes mail to student lockers.
18. Copies, laminates, binds, etc. for classroom projects.
19. Maintains light cleaning (e.g., tables, sinks, etc.).
20. Maintains the supplies and requests supply re-order as needed.
21. Moves furniture related to classroom arrangement and organization.
22. Monitors space for safety, cleanliness.

EDUCATION

• High School Diploma/GED Diploma
• Child Development Associate (CDA) or 12 credits of Early Childhood Education or Child Development to be completed within 18 months from date of hire.

EXPERIENCE/REQUIREMENTS

• Experience working with young children and their families. Speaks and behaves in a professional manner with staff, children, parents, visitors, service people, et cetera, at all times.
• Has flexibility in adapting to the diverse situations that arise in early childhood education, particularly in a model “lab” school.
• Takes initiative to fulfill typical responsibilities and takes direction from the supervising teacher regarding additional duties, setting priorities, and atypical situations.
• Enjoys working as a part of a team.
• Willingness to learn.
• Must demonstrate the following teaching practices:
  • Belief that teachers and children are active partners in the learning process. This balanced approach to adult-child interaction — also called "intentional teaching" — is critical to the effectiveness of the program.
  • That the design of the classroom space and the location of the materials can promote active learning. The classroom is divided into interest areas organized around specific kinds of play; for example, block area, house area, small toy area, book area, sand-and-water area, and art area.
  • By having a daily routine, it will provide a balanced variety of experiences and learning opportunities. Children engage in both individual and social play, participate in small- and large- group activities, assist with cleanup, socialize during meals, develop self-care skills, and exercise their small and large muscles.

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