Assistant Teacher

Gymnastika Liberec; Enfield (CT); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Gymnastika Liberec seeks a Teacher Aid/Floater to assist the classroom teacher by preparing materials and working with children under supervision. You will help maintain standards updates and support health, safety, and daily classroom operations.

The role requires a high school diploma or GED, and employees must complete annual CPR and First Aid, Infant & Child, along with ongoing professional development. Travel to other PMLC locations may occur.

Qualifications

• 16 years old, OR
• High School diploma or G.E.D.
• No prior experience required
• CPR and First Aid, Infant & Child required annually
• Participate in the Center’s required professional development

Responsibilities

• Assist with preparing materials for the classroom.
• Support the teacher and children to meet daily needs.
• Maintain classroom safety and cleanliness.
• Follow center policies and CT/MA regulations.
• Report incidents to the Program Director and complete required paperwork.
• Escort transportation children as needed and ensure proper sign-out.

Skills

Enjoys children

Verbal communication

Teamwork

Comfortable around students/parents

Problem reporting

Education

High School diploma or GED

16 years old, OR

Tools

CPR/First Aid training

Job description

Job title

Teacher Aid/Floater – Works at all times under the supervision of at least 1 teaching-qualified staff person.

Position summary

To assist the classroom teacher in preparing materials and working with the children in the classroom. Work on maintaining standards updates and changes.

Reports to

Program Director, Lead Teacher, Teacher

Supervisory responsibility

None

Required education and experience

Education

• 16 years old, OR
• High School diploma or G.E.D.

Experience

• None

Additional eligibility qualifications

• Evidence of medical physical within 1-year of employment and a statement from a physician that the applicant can do the job.
• Evidence of mandatory vaccinations or immunity to communicable diseases (including TB).

On-going education, training, certification

• Annual CPR and First Aid, Infant & Child.
• Participate in the Center’s required professional development.

Travel: To and from other PMLC locations and occasional offsite training.

Responsibilities/Core Functions

• All staff serve as mandated reporters as stipulated under state laws governing center locations.
• All staff ensure all needs of children are met.
• Assist with the health and safety of the children in the classroom.
• Assist with maintaining classroom practices consistent with MA EEC or CT OEC laws and regulations at all times.
• Assist with maintaining classroom practices consistent with all Playful Minds policies and procedures.
• Assist with daily classroom safety, organization, and cleanliness: includes washing, vacuuming floors, and other general light housekeeping tasks.
• Assist with ensuring all dangerous material, equipment or cleaning supplies are not within reach of children.
• Report all incidents and accidents to the Program Director and complete all documentation required.
• Notify the Program Director immediately in case of unreasonable behavior from staff, children and parents, or of any parent complaints received.
• Care for room and equipment (report repair or replacement needs).
• Assist with maximizing the growth and development of children and protecting the group and the individuals within it.
• Assist with responding to children’s individual needs and support the development of self-esteem, self-expression, autonomy, social competence, and school readiness.
• Assist with nurturing and responding to the children.
• Assist with the support of children in the development of self-esteem, independence, and self-regulation.
• Assist with the support of children in the development of social competence.
• Assist with guiding children in a positive and consistent way based on an understanding of the individual needs and development of children.
• Have a method of communicating effectively with each child.
• Assist teacher with required child:staff ratios at all times. Never leave the room out of ratio or unattended.
• Know the whereabouts of every child.
• Use proper handwashing before handling food, after diaper changing, blowing noses, using bathrooms, caring for a sick child, and handling of animals, etc.
• Never allow anyone to pick up a child from the Center that does not have the proper identification.
• Assist with the escorting of transportation children to and from vans/buses. Ensure the driver signs out on the SignOff sheet.
• Never allow unauthorized persons on the grounds.

Other responsibilities

• Cooperate with the Director and other staff in activities involving the Center.
• Greet and treat parents, children, and staff with kindness and respect.
• Arrive in the classroom on time, as scheduled, and remain with the group.
• Awareness of the whereabouts of every child.
• Paperwork is completed and up to date.
• Daily care for room and equipment and report items needing repair or replacement.
• Assist with food program (setup and cleanup) as needed.
• Perform duties as assigned by the Program Director.

Skills/Competency

• Genuine enjoyment when working with children.
• Strong verbal communication skills.
• Contributes to an atmosphere of teamwork.
• Comfortable around students, staff, and parents.
• Quickly and effectively reports problems.

Work environment

Office work, classrooms, outside play areas.

Physical demands

Lift children up to 75 lbs. Bend and sit on the floor. Run, skip, and hop.

Expected hours of work

8.5 hours per day during the center’s core hours with an unpaid 30-minute meal break.