ASSOCIATE TEACHER

Basic Job Assignment: Under the supervision of the Site Supervisor, and when appropriate, under the guidance of a master teacher and/or teacher, assists in the instruction of preschool children. Adheres to the core values of the Agency; NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct for Early Childhood Practitioners and Professional Practice; Head Start Performance Standards; and required Head Start competencies. Employment Requirements: The ideal candidate is a self-motivated, independent worker who possesses a solid understanding of appropriate child development theories and practices; has the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with staff, managers, clients/ participants, and individuals of varying levels outside of the organization; has the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of Association management, employees, parents, and others encountered in the course of work; has the demonstrated ability and skills to create and maintain a safe learning environment for children and others; is willing to work effectively with parents, families, and childcare providers and be sensitive to the needs of culturally and ethnically diverse groups; has the demonstrated skills and ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public; is well organized and is able to plan and prepare in a thorough fashion; and has demonstrated experience working with culturally and ethnically diverse, low income or no income clients and unique populations. Qualifications: A minimum of twelve (12) units of Early Childhood Education/Child Development is required; Associate Teacher Permit required;  For Early Head Start: at least three (3) units of demonstrated coursework in Infant and Toddler is required; A minimum of at least six (6) months experience in a licensed preschool facility; Current Certification in CPR/ Pediatric First Aid or the ability to obtain within the first 90 days of employment required; Must meet and maintain state law and county licensing requirements regarding employment in a child care center including fingerprints, TB, and physical examination as well as provide proof of immunity to measles and pertussis, and must obtain an influenza vaccination, or provide a medical exemption; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education/ Child Development preferred. Examples of Major Functions: Assist in developing weekly lesson plans which integrate activities that are developmentally appropriate for infants and toddler children, reflect an integrated Early Head Start curriculum and philosophy, and comply with the Performance Standards; Recruits families for the Program as required by Performance Standards; Assist in developing and maintaining a safe and pleasing environment for the children which facilitates their ability to grow physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually; Assist in screening each child using appropriate assessment tools, and apply the requisite knowledge and skills in translating those assessments into appropriate lesson plans to meet the needs of each child; Assist in developing Individual Education Plans for children with special needs; Assist in preparing monthly reports on attendance, excused absences, daily sign in/out sheets, in-kind, CACFP meal count, fluoride tracking, health and safety checklist, etc. Complete forms such as writing anecdotal notes/observations, Home Visit, Parent/Teacher Conference, Classroom Meeting, training reports and agendas, Ouch Reports, Parent Engagement Permission Slips, and milestones. Assist in ensuring that daily hygiene needs are met by modeling such routines as tooth brushing, hand washing, use of the bathroom, and meal times; Assist in ensuring the safety of the classroom as well as the outdoor playground; Provide emotional support and encourage high self-esteem in the children; Other duties as assigned by supervisor.   SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS, LICENSES, & CERTIFICATES: Certification in pediatric first aid and CPR must be met within 90 days of employment.  Must meet and maintain state law and county licensing requirements regarding employment in a childcare center (fingerprints, TB, physical, Measles, and Pertussis).    Language Skills: Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public; demonstrated skills in written and oral communication. Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Physical and Mental Demands: The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.        Physical Demands: Employee is required to stand, bend or stoop for long periods of time; sit, stand, talk or hear in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle and feel computers and other standard office equipment, and reach with hands and arms.  The employee may be required to lift up to fifty (50) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus to view documents. Mental Demands: While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; learn and apply new skills and information; perform work on multiple, concurrent tasks; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with Association staff and others encountered in the course of work. Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employee works under childcare conditions.  The noise level varies from quiet (office) to loud (classroom or playground).