Assistant Teacher

Oakland Family Services; Pontiac (MI); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Comprehensive medical and dental coverage

Retirement plan with company match

Paid time off including 12 holidays

Job summary

Oakland Family Services is looking for an Assistant Teacher to support daily classroom operations in its Children's Learning Center. The position involves assisting with high-quality learning experiences and ensuring compliance with licensing standards.

Qualified candidates should have a CDA or an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. The role offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, retirement plans, and paid time off.

Qualifications

• Must possess CDA or equivalent credentials.
• One year of preschool teaching experience preferred.
• Experience with the High Scope approach is a plus.
• Effective communication with parents and children required.

Responsibilities

• Assist in designing engaging activities for children.
• Maintain standards of State licensure.
• Collaborate with supervisors and teachers.
• Ensure safety and supervision of children.

Skills

Communication skills

Positive classroom management techniques

Teamwork

Sensitivity to diversity

Education

Center-based preschool child development associate (CDA)

Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development

Job description

About the Opportunity / Work

The Assistant Teacher supports the daily operations of a classroom in Oakland Family Services' Children's Learning Center (CLC). The teacher is responsible for assisting with the implementation of high quality, High Scope learning experiences for children, ensuring adherence to State Licensing Standards, daily lesson planning, interacting with parents and volunteers, record keeping, and other miscellaneous operations related to the Children's Learning Center Programs. The position reports to the Early Childhood Education Supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the design and implementation of developmentally appropriate, engaging activities using the High Scope approach to learning with children.
• Assist in maintaining standards of quality as required by Great Start to Quality, NAEYC and COA accreditation.
• Maintain standards of State licensure including knowledge of all licensing rules and timely reporting of potential violations to both internal and external authorities.
• Assist in maintaining accurate child records.
• Participate in daily and weekly team planning meetings to support the creation of lesson plans, discuss classroom support needs and coordinate task responsibilities with the Lead Teacher and other classroom support staff.
• Collaborate with classroom partners, supervisor and administrative team members on curriculum, student, and center needs.
• Implements coaching, mentoring, feedback and professional development suggestions and strategies provided by the classroom lead teacher.
• Attend and participate in Agency and program events and activities.
• In conjunction with the Lead Teacher, conduct a minimum of two parent-teacher conferences per school year with each enrolled family.
• In conjunction with the Lead Teacher, conduct two home visits with each Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) enrolled family.
• Assist with daily documentation of children's interactions and play through anecdotal notes.
• In conjunction with the Lead Teacher, assess children' developmental progress using High Scope's Child Observation Record (COR).
• Assist in the creation and implementation of children's behavioral support plans as needed.
• Provides support in the creation and ongoing maintenance of a clean, healthy, and esthetically pleasing learning environment for children.
• Provides active supervision to ensure the safety and wellbeing of each child.
• Participate in professional development opportunities, meetings, and other program and agency activities as required by licensing, accreditation, and other funding requirements.
• Responsible for incorporating principles of diversity, equity and inclusion in work processes and in job functions. Responsible for promoting a feeling of welcoming, belonging, and acceptance to all clients and staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to be physical and capable of successfully managing an early learning environment. The employee is frequently required to sit and/or stand for 8 hours or more. Staff must have the ability to reach with hands and arms and must occasionally lift and move up to 25 pounds.

Qualifications

• Must possess Center-based preschool child development associate (CDA) or an existing 120‑hour approval or Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development.
• If assistant teachers do not meet the required credentials, they must have finished at least one course in child development and enter a compliance plan.
• One year of preschool teaching experience preferred.
• Experience utilizing the High Scope approach preferred.
• Communication skills that focus on positive and professional communication with parents and children.
• Utilization of positive classroom management techniques.
• Abilities and skills in the team approach to problem solving and task completion.
• Selected candidates for this position must possess a sensitivity to the diversity of the agency's service population including (but not limited to) differences of culture, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation and socioeconomic.
• Special abilities and skills necessary to perform the required tasks and that best meet the needs of the agency also will be considered. There may be some standards above that may be waived when compensating specifications or circumstances exist.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, prescription, and vision coverage.
• Flexible Spending Accounts and HSA options.
• Retirement plan with a company match.
• Long-term disability insurance.
• Voluntary short-term disability.
• Life insurance and AD'D.
• Malpractice insurance.
• Paid time off benefits, including generous vacation, sick, personal, and bereavement days.
• Twelve (12) paid holidays, including a floating holiday of your choice!
• Annual pay increases, as approved.
• Employee assistance program for you and immediate family.
• Network of support for your health & well-being.
• Verizon cellular plan discount.
• Mileage reimbursement at the IRS rate.
• Loan forgiveness programs.

• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Family friendly practices and support.
• Flexible work schedules, as appropriate.
• Hybrid and virtual work options, as appropriate.
• Highly robust and comprehensive onboarding and training program.
• Paid professional development.
• Free online trainings that count toward continuing education credits.
• Employee assistance programs.
• “Dress for Your Day” approach to dress code.
• Financial literacy education and workshops.
• Collaborative annual performance appraisals.
• "Dollars for a Difference" program for clients and staff in need.
• And more!
• Some benefits applicable to regular, full-time employees only.