Preschool Teacher Assistant

Catholic Charities of Central Washington; Yakima (WA); On-site; USD 23,694 - 25,072; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

7 paid holidays

Health insurance with optional dental and vision

Education assistance program

Flexible spending account

Employee assistance program

Job summary

A community service organization in Yakima, WA is seeking a dedicated Teacher Assistant to support the Lead Teacher in providing quality early childhood education. Responsibilities include planning activities, fostering positive interactions, and maintaining a nurturing classroom environment. Ideal candidates will have a relevant ECE certification and experience in early childhood programs. The role offers competitive hourly pay, benefits including health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid time off, ensuring comprehensive support for employees.

Qualifications

• 2 or more years' experience in an Early Childhood program.
• Valid First Aid and CPR certification.
• Valid Food Handlers Card.

Responsibilities

• Support the Lead Teacher with classroom care and planning.
• Implement activities supporting children's development.
• Maintain a safe and healthy learning environment.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Classroom management

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Judgment

Basic computer skills

Education

Initial ECE Certificate (12 credits) or Professional Development Plan

Job description

Position Summary

The Teacher Assistant position is responsible for supporting the Lead Teacher with the overall care and planning for the classroom and individual children, including the learning environment and volunteers. The Teacher Assistant, under the direction of the Lead Teacher, provides and implements a developmentally and culturally appropriate early childhood experience for children.

Responsibilities

Under the guidance and direction from the Lead Teacher, implement activities and experiences supporting children's health, education, and social‑emotional development.

• Establish a learning environment according to the Creative Curriculum and Early Achiever quality standards, and ECEAP if applicable.
• Implement the Second Steps Personal Safety Curriculum in preschool classrooms.
• Provide activities and opportunities that encourage an individualized approach to the developmental level and learning style of each child.

Under the guidance and direction of the Lead Teacher, foster a positive emotional climate in the classroom normals based on licensing standards.

• Provide guidance and support часто positive interactions between children and adults.
• Maintain an atmosphere that encourages open communication with children and adults through back‑and‑forth conversations, warm, nurturing tones, and being down at the child’s level.
• Provide opportunities and support for children to understand, acquire and use verbal and non‑verbal means of communicating thoughts and feelings.

Under the guidance and direction of the Lead teacher, create a partnership with families that encourages engagement according to ECEAP and/or Early Achiever quality standards.

• Communicate with parents on a daily basis by greeting them and discussing, as needed, events of the children's day.
• Communicate with parents regarding classroom‑to‑classroom transitions, as applicable.

Maintain an accurate and up‑to‑date timesheet by clocking in and out on a consistent basis. Schedule a substitute when planning for time off.

Under the guidance of the Lead Teacher, create and maintain a safe and healthy environment.

• Maintain inventory and upkeep of classroom supplies and materials.
• Report needed repairs and maintenance to the Early Learning Site Supervisor.
• Provide a safe, developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor learning environment through use of the Safety and Sanitation Checklist.
• Apply health standards and care for the children and classroom according to licensing, Early Achiever, and ECEAP standards.

Professional Development

• Participate in required training according to ECEAP and/or licensing regulations.
• Participate in scheduled supervision meetings, lead teacher meetings, teachereslint groups and other assigned meetings as required.

Participate in Center activities and other duties as requested.

Qualifications

Job Requirements

The following requirements are those that are normally required for performance of this position. Any disabled applicant or incumbent who does not meet one or more of the requirements, but who can perform the essential function of the job (with or without reasonable accommodations) shall época deemed to meet these requirements.

Physical Requirements

This position normally requires the physical demands of standing, walking, bending, lifting or performing other work requiring medium physical exertion, talking and hearing and adequate vision on a regular basis to perform the job requirements. These physical demands are required up to 95% of the time.

Education

• Initial ECE Certificate (12 credits) or Professional Development Plan.

Experience

• 2 or more years' experience in an Early Childhood program.

Special Skills

• Demonstrate professional and effective verbal and written communication.
• Use of good judgment.
• Basic computer skills.
• Supervision of adults, classroom planning and management skills.
• Maintain confidentiality of children, families, and staff.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred, but not required.

Licensure, Registration, Certification

• Valid First Aid and CPR.
• Valid Food Handlers Card.

Employment is conditional upon

• Being cleared by criminal background check and fingerprinting.

Schedule

Monday - Friday 8:45 am to 5:45 pm.

Sep Div

$17.20 to $18.20 hourly.

Benefits

• 7 paid holidays, 1 paid Personal Day, 15 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year-record
• Health insurance including medical & prescription coverage, with optional dental and vision insurance plans. Majority of premiums paid by Catholic Charities.
• Retirement 403(b) Plan: employee contributions commence upon employment; Catholic Charities contributes 2% of monthly income and matches up to 4%.webdriver...
• Basic Life Insurance paid 100% by Catholic Charities.
• Flexible Spending Account eligibility following 6 months of employment.
• Education Assistance Program reimbursing up to $5,250 per year for approved continuing education after 6 months of employment.
• Additional voluntary insurances including supplemental life, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D), critical illness, long‑term disability, accident, and ID theft.
• Employee Assistance Program includes 3 counseling sessions per year, legal consultations, financial coaching, and other wellbeing tools.
• Annual longevity awards begin at 5 years of employment.

It is the practice of Catholic Charities to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, citizenship status, marital status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, sexual orientation, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Applicants from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We gladly offer reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities to support participation in the hiring process and employment.