Early Childhood Assistant Teacher - Evanston (PT)

JCC Chicago; Evanston (IL); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job description

Early Childhood Assistant Teacher - Evanston (PT)

Job Category: JCC Early Childhood

Requisition Number: EARLY004540

Posted: July 22, 2024

Location: JCC Beth Emet Synagogue, 1224 Dempster Street, Evanston, IL 60202, USA

JCC Chicago seeks a dynamic, dedicated Assistant Teacher to join our amazing team at Evanston at Beth Emet JCC! JCC Chicago is the largest JCC system in North America, with more than 800 staff in over 15 diverse locations across the metropolitan area. Our core program offerings include Early Childhood Education, Children and Family Engagement Programs, Aquatics, Arts & Ideas, Day Camps, and Overnight Camp.

Classrooms are the first community. When we speak about community, we speak about places of sharing, learning, growing, and connection. For some 800 young children in the Chicago area, the first community begins in JCC Chicago’s Early Childhood program.

We are committed to excellence, providing strong professional development opportunities and nature-inspired classrooms that allow our staff to be their most creative selves! With our ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest DCFS standards, we are looking for those who are enthusiastic about guiding each child to reach their full potential.

Job Summary:

The Assistant Teacher is a critical member of a team of educators, social workers, and specialists who support the whole child through a developmentally appropriate curriculum that embraces Jewish life and complements what happens at home.

As a Reggio Emilia inspired Early Childhood program, we support the individual needs and abilities of each of our students through an emergent, play-based curriculum. We are looking for professional educators who are interested in growing with us!

Key areas of responsibility:

• Be responsible for the safety and welfare of the children, supervising all children by sight and sound.
• Work with your teaching team to implement a program that includes elements of the JCC’s integrated secular and Jewish curriculum.
• Provide and maintain an atmosphere conducive to emotional and cognitive growth.
• Establish and maintain good communication and a strong sense of community with the director, staff, and parents.
• Make families feel welcome by greeting them personally by name and sharing specific information regarding their child.
• Foster a collaborative, team-focused atmosphere, both in the classroom, teaching site, and the agency as a whole.
• Actively participate a minimum of 15 hours in staff meetings, training, and ongoing development opportunities.
• Work with your teaching team to maintain DCFS and Illinois state standards.

Additional responsibilities:

• Contribute to written and photo content of newsletters, portfolios, and mass communications to classroom families.
• Participate in regular, meaningful communication with families, including in-person conversations/meetings, virtual meetings, emails, and bi-yearly parent-teacher conversations.
• Assist in and maintain awareness of all aspects of the teaching position, including classroom management and social-emotional needs of children.
• Assist in classroom setup and preparation of lesson plans created by the lead teacher.
• Maintain respect for children and team.
• Follow and assist in implementing guidelines set forth by the Social Services department regarding concerns about a child’s development or behavior.
• Other duties as assigned.

Key Essential Job Duties/Physical Duties:

• Must be able to lift and move with children (up to 40lbs).
• Must demonstrate physical stamina and agility, including the ability to be mobile for long periods throughout the day.
• Ability to move from sitting to standing position easily and quickly.
• Must be able to stand for long periods and engage physically with children.
• Must be able to respond to emergency situations effectively.
• Must be able to supervise children by sight and sound.
• Willingness to be in the pool with children participating in swim programs.

Days/Hours: Monday - Friday 2:30 PM - 6 PM

Job Category: Union Professional

Salary Range: $16 to $25

Education Qualifications:

• At least 19 years of age with a high school degree or GED.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated passion for working with young children.
• Child development experience in a preschool, kindergarten, or licensed daycare program, from birth to age six preferred.

Employee Benefits and Discounts: (Benefits will differ for FT and PT employees, based on hours worked)

FT benefits may include medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, sick, vacation & holiday pay. PT benefits may include sick, vacation & holiday pay.

Other Perks:

• Free Fitness Membership (individual and family)
• Free Apachi Day Camp Sessions
• Free Community Engagement Programs
• Ongoing JCC professional development and access to JUF Scholarship funding available!

JCC Chicago provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual preference, gender identity or expression, marital status, apparent or non-apparent disability, veteran’s status, or unfavorable discharge from military service in accordance with state and federal laws.