Assistant Child Development Teacher

The University of North Florida Board of Trustees; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 19,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

UNF Preschool seeks a full-time VPK assistant teacher to support Lead teachers in delivering early childhood instruction aligned with NAEYC standards. The role focuses on implementing developmentally appropriate practices and collaborative learning experiences within the Reggio Emilia-inspired framework.

The position emphasizes assisting in lesson planning, classroom management, and authentic assessment, while embodying the university’s mission and commitments to student and family success.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Florida Staff credential to be completed within 12 months of employment.
• Pediatric First-Aid and CPR certification.
• DCF rules training (45 hours) to be completed within 60 days of employment.

Responsibilities

• Assist Lead teacher in lesson planning using the Project Approach to support literacy and development.
• Support classroom activities to meet social, emotional, language, math, and arts standards.
• Document student progress using photos, anecdotes, and artifacts for assessment portfolios.
• Maintain classroom order and a positive learning environment.
• Contribute to professional learning through inquiries and collaboration with staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Preschool director.

Skills

Experience with young children

Strong customer service mindset

Positive, patient disposition

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

Department

UNF Preschool

Compensation

$16.50 to Negotiable Hourly

General Description / Primary Purpose

Full-time VPK assistant teacher reports to the Lead Teacher. This is work assisting in teaching young children according to the philosophy and mission of the center's program and NAEYC standards. UNF Preschool is an integral part of the College of Education and Human Services and as such is measured by its ability to successfully interact with students and their children, to assist in their individual needs and concerns.

Job Functions

• Teaching young children in adherence with the philosophy and mission of the preschool. At UNF Preschool, we follow the Reggio Emilia Approach.
• 10%: Assist the Lead teachers in developing lesson plans utilizing the Project Approach to promote literacy, language, mathematical thinking, scientific thinking, social studies, arts, and social emotional development. Collaborate with Lead teacher to implement classroom learning experiences.
• 60%: Assist the Lead teachers in teaching to meet standards in social emotional, physical, language, social studies, and the arts domains. Help create and maintain an environment and structure for maintaining classroom order and behavior management. Demonstrate a strong working knowledge of child development and early childhood learning. Implement NAEYC developmentally appropriate practices in the daily life of the classroom. Assist the Lead teacher in implementing the Project Approach as a framework for learning experiences. Embody and promote the mission and vision of the preschool, College of Education and Human Services and the University of North Florida
• 15%: Assist the Lead teachers in children assessment using various strategies including photography, anecdotal records, children's words, and artifacts as a means to measure student learning. Help create and display children's learning through documentation panels. Help the Lead teacher in managing a portfolio for every child in the classroom as a form of authentic assessment to demonstrate children's learning.
• 10%: Engage in teacher inquiry to inform learning that is shared within the professional learning community, conferences, and publication. Remain updated on current research-based practices and translate them into practice. Assist and support other staff as needed.
• 5%: Any other job duties as assigned by the Preschool director. Demonstrate working knowledge of digital technologies and their appropriate use in early learning, instructional planning, and home-school collaboration.

Required Qualifications

• A high school diploma or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219. Departmental Requirements:
• Attain Florida Staff credential by completing one of the following, within one year of employment: National Early Childhood Credential (Includes National CDA), Formal Educational Qualification, or Birth through five Child Care Credential (FCCPC, ECPC, CACC)
• 45hr of Department of Children and Families (DCF) rules and regulation- must be attained within 60 days of employment
• Pediatric First-Aid and CPR
• Experience working with young children.
• Prefer Bachelors Degree
• Early childhood experience preferred
• VPK credential requirements from Early Learning Coalition.
• Requires a positive, self-motivated person willing to work in an environment requiring strong emphasis on providing superior customer service in conformance with the university's mission and values.
• Often be required to demonstrate a caring and patient attitude, utilize conflict resolution skills and ensure that every effort is made to create satisfied customers.

Statement(s) of Understanding

This position requires a background check. In conjunction with the University's policy, this position may also require a credit check.

The holder of this position is designated as a "Responsible Employee" pursuant to their role under Title IX. Therefore, the incumbent must promptly report allegations of sexual misconduct, sexual violence, and child sexual abuse by or against any student, employee, contractor, or visitor to the University's Title IX Administrator or any divisional Title IX Coordinator

This position has been designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). This position has been designated as a CSA because it involves significant responsibility for student and campus activities and/or responsibility for campus security. As such, any person in this position must report to the University Police Department a crime or an incident that might be a crime that he/she becomes aware of. This position has a reporting requirement because the University believes that responsibility for students, campus activities and/or campus security will make the holder of this position someone members of the University community will see as an authority figure and someone to whom they can seek help. A CSA is not expected to investigate or determine whether a criminal incident actually took place. A CSA ' s responsib