Teacher

YMCA of Greater Springfield; Wilbraham (MA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

YMCA Learning Center in Wilbraham is seeking a full-time teacher to support the lead teacher in delivering a high-quality early education program. The role emphasizes maintaining a warm, healthy environment and meeting regulatory requirements.

You will collaborate with staff to ensure safe, engaging activities, participate in trainings, and build strong relationships with children and families in the YMCA setting.

Qualifications

• Must be working toward an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and progress toward NAEYC standards.
• Must meet EEC health requirements and have or be willing to obtain First Aid and CPR training.
• Ability to work with diverse populations and uphold YMCA values.
• Strong relationship-building skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Assist lead teacher in daily activities with focus on health, safety, and cleanliness.
• Ensure health and safety of children and staff per policies and handbooks.
• Maintain open parent communication through meetings and updates.
• Supervise and mentor volunteers and assistant staff.
• Plan daily curriculum in coordination with lead teacher under state and national guidelines.

Skills

Childcare

Teamwork

Communication

Health & Safety

Observation

Education

Associate/Bachelor in Early Childhood Education

Job description

Location: YMCA Learning Center in Wilbraham

Status: Full-Time

POSITIONSUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Program Director,the teacherisresponsible formaintaininga warm, healthy environment to promote the total growth and well-being of the children in the program.

ESSENTIALFUNCTIONS:

• Assistthe lead teacher in the implementation of daily programs with attention to the needs of children, including quality, health, safety, and cleanliness of environment beyond minimum regulations and requirements.
• Ensure the health and safety of all children and staff assigned by understanding and following the provisions in the Health Care Policy, Procedure guide, and Staff Handbook, which also includes oral health programs.
• Inform the Director of Early Educationimmediatelywhen social, mental health,educationalor medical services appear necessary for any child in the classroom. Complete all required referral paperwork.
• Conduct any child guidance issues in a confidential manner and in strict compliance with established policy outlined in the family handbook and staff handbook.
• Work with other staff members in a positive and respectful manner to ensure coordination of all classrooms and programming.
• Supervise, coach, andmentorvolunteers, substitutes, assistant teachers.
• Maintain positive nurturing and responsive interactions with children as a group and on a one-to-one basis.
• Maintainpositive open parent communications including individual or group meetings.
• Share all environmental maintenance duties with fellow staff members and inform Directorimmediatelyof equipment needs, maintenance needs or safety concerns.
• Research fornew ideasand/or trainings to improve your creativity, your ability to understand child growth and development and enhancement of quality programming.
• Prepare andmaintainall required records and reportsin accordance withestablished procedures (Lesson plan, family communication documentation, screenings,observationsand assessments).
• Allowing flexibility in your position and schedule to ensure quality care.
• Plan daily curriculum with leadteacherin accordance withall state and national requirements.
• Be prepared toparticipatein all children's activities, which include but are not limited to classroom activities, field trips, outdoor play, swim, gym, and family or special organizational events, including volunteer events.
• Provide enriched educational opportunities for childrenby drawing on community resources foradditionalprogramming.
• Attend mandatorytrainingsand meetings.
• Complete alltrainingsrequiredon IPDP (Individual Professional Development Plan) and all required EECtrainingsatStrongStart.
• Know,understandand implement Department of Early Education and Care (DEEC) regulations, along with new policies,proceduresand initiatives.
• Know,understandand implement the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards and guidelines.
• Know, understand, and implement the Creative Curriculum and Assessment protocol, and the ASQ screening tool.
• Staff need to follow EEC Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting Frequency Checklistlocatedin a binder in each classroom.
• This list of responsibilities is not meant to be all-inclusive and may be adjusted to meet the operational needs of the agency and the Learning Center Program.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must minimallymeetDepartmentof Early Education and Care (EEC) Regulation 7.9 (c) 2 for Teacher Certification.
• Must be working toward completion of anAssociate’s Degreeminimally, orBachelor’s Degree, in Early Childhood Education showing consistent progress towards completions by the timetable set forth by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards.
• Must have, or be willing to earn, andmaintainFirst Aid and CPR training.
• Comply withhealth requirements for staff according to EEC regulation 7.09 (11) andNationalAssociation for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards.
• Ability to work with a diverse population and exhibit core YMCA values of caring, honesty,respectand responsibility.
• Excellent relationship building skills.

WORKENVIRONMENT&PHYSICALDEMANDS:

• Thephysicaldemandsdescribedherearerepresentativeofthose thatmustbemetbyanemployeetosuccessfullyperformtheessentialfunctionsofthisjob.
• Reasonableaccommodationsmaybemadetoenableindividualswithdisabilitiestoperformtheessentialfunctions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employeeis required tosit,standor reach forextendedperiodsoftimes,move around the work environment independently, push,pullorlift upto 25 pounds for short periods of time.
• Employee isexposed to noise and fluctuating temperatures.