EC Teacher Assistant -FT

YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago is seeking a Head Start Assistant Teacher to support the Lead Teacher in delivering developmentally appropriate instruction for 3- to 5-year-olds. You will help plan activities, supervise children, and maintain a positive, inclusive classroom environment aligned with DCFS, ExceleRate Illinois, NAEYC and program standards.

Strong communication with families and colleagues is essential.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in child development or related field.
• 1–3 years of experience in a child care setting.
• Illinois Gateway Registry registration within 90 days of employment.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with Lead Teacher to develop and implement lesson plans.
• Supervises children to ensure health and safety.
• Provides developmentally appropriate learning experiences for 3–5 year olds.
• Documents observations and child progress; supports ongoing assessments.
• Engages families through conferences and communication.
• Maintains a supportive, inclusive classroom climate.

Skills

Oral and written communication

Team collaboration

Classroom management

Observation and assessment

Education

Associate’s Degree in Child Development / Early Childhood Education

Tools

CLASS

ERS

Rosie

Job description

The Head Start Assistant Teacher collaborates with the Lead Teacher to provide support in effective instructional strategies, classroommanagement, learning, assessment, evaluation and related research for children 3-5 years old. The Assistant Teacher is responsible forproviding developmentally appropriate learning experiences, supervision of children assigned in the classroom, and providing a supportiveand positive classroom climate, while ensuring the individual needs of the children are met. This includes alignment with DCFS, ExceleRate Illinois, NAEYC, federal, state and local standards, as applicableScope of Responsibilities:• Supports and models high-quality teaching and learning in the classroom that promotes academic readiness.• Demonstrates enthusiasm and uses interpersonal skills in order to relate well with children, parents, co-workers, administratorsand the community.• Maintains awareness and supervision of the needs of all children and ensures their health and physical safety, at all times.• Interacts and assists children individually or in small groups in order to guide and reinforce learning concepts.• Supports the Lead Teacher in planning for at least two parent/teacher conferences per program year.• Identifies different instructional resources and methods to meet children’s varying needs.• Organizes and supervises games and other activities to promote physical, mental and social development.• Guides and supports all children, including dual language learners and those with special needs.• Demonstrates culturally and linguistically appropriate practices that values all children and families and makes them feel welcomedand an essential part of the program.• Models and promotes appropriate grammar, language, positive interactions and discipline and interactions for children andparents.• Establishes a professional rapport and works cooperatively with adults assigned to the classroom (i.e., Teacher, Aide, Parents, andVolunteers), establishing clear expectations for roles and responsibilities.• Develops effective partnerships with families and encourages parent involvement through a variety of methods (e.g., classroomparent meetings & events, center-wide activities).• Annually completes at least thirty clock hours of professional development, through participation in offered trainings, workshops,in-service days, all staff conferences and maintain log of professional development requirements, including documents supportingcompletion.• Reports and maintains a log of professional development requirements, including documents supporting completion through theGateways Registry system.• Utilizes continuous quality improvement (CQI) strategies to improve the classroom experience for children and families.• Participates and supports agency/center efforts toward recruitment, enrollment, attendance and retention of families.Lesson Planning and Classroom Management• Collaborates with the Lead Teacher to develop lesson plans with goals, objectives, activities and outcomes for children thatintegrate health, nutrition, mental health, disabilities and parent involvement.• Assists the Lead Teacher in implementation of high quality, developmentally appropriate curriculum approaches (like CreativeCurriculum) while ensuring the program follows DCFS, YMCA, ExceleRate Illinois, and NAEYC accreditation standards, ifapplicable.• Plans, prepares and delivers age-appropriate instructional activities that facilitate active learning experiences and promotes thesocial, emotional, physical and cognitive development of each child. Takes the lead in absence of the lead teacher.• With the support of the Lead Teacher, uses observational and child data to assist in planning developmentally appropriate andengaging early learning experiences based upon the emergent needs of the child.• Assists the Lead Teacher in planning and adapting the early learning environment using researched based tools (like CLASS, ERSand Rosie) and children’s interests to maximize their experiences.• Supports and implements planned studies/projects for an in-depth investigation of a topic over time, based upon children’sinterest and experiences.• Helps to create an inclusive classroom environment that will integrate and assist children with special needs.• Participates in planning and implementation of developmentally age appropriate indoor/outdoor activities that will enhance thesocial, emotional, physical and cognitive development of each child.• Gathers, arranges and displays children’s work to help develop perceptual skills and in a manner appropriate for their eye level.• Ensures routines such as toileting, hand washing and meals are handled promptly and consistently within state and localregulations.• Establishes and maintains an attractive, clean, safe and engaging classroom environment which includes positive guidancetechniques and that encourages children's independence and self-selection of activities.• Models and implements family style eating during mealtimes, if applicable.• Regularly sanitize all surfaces, classroom toys, equipment and laundry.• Assists with classroom management, arrangement, organization, and labeling materials.• Assumes joint share of classroom team to maintain a safe, clean, environment, and practice good personal hygiene and frequenthand washing.• Assists with completion of classroom inventory quarterly; and the selection of materials and equipment to support instruction andchildren’s learning using environmental assessments to guide decisions.• Issues and changes furnishings and materials to maintain and encourage new learning based upon children’s interests.Evaluations, Assessments, and Reports• Timely and accurately administers required screening• Observes, documents and assesses children’s health, skills, behavior, growth and development.• Follows the established system for collecting and managing daily/weekly observations of children.• Take pictures and maintain anecdotal notes, written observations, and other approved forms of documentation for each child.• Maintains documentation of each child’s progress and growth according to established guidelines.• Inputs classroom data into appropriate information systems, as required.• Adheres to timelines and completes child assessment information, at least four times annually.• Completes all necessary paperwork for classroom activities including attendance and meal count sheets, as applicable.• Assumes joint share of the classroom team to maintain and ensure accurate and up to date child enrollment files and portfoliosfor each child.• Observes and respects issues of confidentiality.Minimum and Preferred Requirements• Associate’s Degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education or Early Childhood Special Education or equivalent• Must have 1-3 years’ experience working in a child care program preferably with children 6 weeks - 5 years old. (this requirementmay be fulfilled through a practicum or student teaching); excellent oral and written communication skills• Must demonstrate basic reading, writing, and communication skills at a level consistent with entry into college training programs.• Passion and commitment to the YMCA’s mission and vision for early learning• Must be registered in Illinois’ Gateway Registry within 90 days of employment and participate in ongoing professionaldevelopment as required by role and/or program• Must be willing to complete a fingerprint background check and provide proof of current immunizations and related medicalrecords per program requirements