Teacher Assistant - Kipp Ascend

Carole Robertson Center for Learning; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a vibrant community dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families in Chicago! As a Teacher Assistant, you will play a crucial role in implementing high-quality educational programs that nurture children's development from prenatal to age 17. This nonprofit organization is a recognized leader in early childhood education, providing a supportive and collaborative environment where your contributions will directly impact the lives of those you serve. If you're passionate about making a difference and fostering a just and equitable society, this opportunity is perfect for you!

Benefits

$1000 Sign On Bonus

Professional Development Training

Health Benefits

Flexible Scheduling

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Head Start philosophy and practices.
• Experience in developing educational plans for children.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and implementing education services for children.
• Ensure a safe and emotionally supportive classroom environment.

Skills

Early Childhood Education

Child Development

Bilingual Education

Interpersonal Communication

Team Collaboration

Problem Solving

Active Supervision

Education

Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education

Baccalaureate in Child Development

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Online Portals for Observations

Job description

At the Carole Robertson Center for Learning, we are not just a workplace, we are a community of individuals who share a common passion for improving the lives of Chicago’s children and their families. Join us in making a difference and be a part of something transformational.

Why a career with the Carole Robertson Center for Learning?

The Carole Robertson Center for Learning is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating, enriching, and empowering children and families through comprehensive child, youth development, and family engagement programs. Our vision is to help build a just and equitable society, in partnership with families, and be a beacon of best practices, innovation, and impact in early childhood and youth development.

The Center serves 2,500 children and families daily through anchor program locations in Albany Park, Little Village, and North Lawndale, with partner and satellite programs that reach 27 communities across Chicago. Programs serve children at every stage of development, from prenatal to age 17. Current programs include center- and home-based early childhood development programs for children ages 6 weeks through age 5; Out-of-School-Time (OST) and summer camp programming for children up to age 17; and extensive family support, mental health, professional development training, and social services.

The Center strives for excellence in providing the highest-quality programs and services to the children, families, and communities it serves. It is a recognized leader in early childhood education and is accredited through national and state entities. The organization was founded for the community and by the community, with social justice and equity at the forefront. This commitment remains in all we do.

Open Positions

Position: Teacher Assistant - Kipp Ascend

Location: 1440 S Christiana Ave, Chicago, IL

Remote Status: On-Site

Job Id: 520

# of Openings: 1

Teacher Assistant

$1000 Sign On Bonus!!!!

Under the direction of the Managing Associate Teacher, assists in overseeing and directing the planning, organizing, and implementation of education services for children, in addition to full-time classroom teacher duties which include developing and implementing individual educational plans for children.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND KEY TASKS:

• Ensure an emotionally safe climate by upholding and demonstrating the practices outlined in the NAEYC Code of Conduct in all interactions with children, families, and colleagues.
• Utilize strategies for Active Supervision throughout the day and in all spaces (indoors and outdoors) to ensure child safety and wellbeing.
• Support the daily implementation of the Center’s Best Practice Schedule and Napping Policy.
• Perform the functions of this position with a strong understanding of the Head Start Performance Standards and the component plans; and thorough knowledge and application of Developmentally Appropriate Practices;
• Collaborate with the MAT and Program Advisor team in the creation and facilitation of studies to support weekly lesson plans including daily activities, field trips, selecting and arranging equipment and materials in the classroom;
• Cooperate with other staff and classroom groups to maintain sound functioning of the program in compliance with all state and federal regulations, which at times may require changes to meet the needs of the children;
• Maintain a comprehensive and ongoing developmental portfolio for each child, including annual developmental screening, Teaching Strategies Gold observational data in each core objective, examples of the child's work, and informal observations.
• Conduct and use home visits and parent conferences to discuss the child's individual development and progress, assist the parents in developing observational skills and solicit parent observations;
• Implement family style meals and eat with and assist children in development of social and self-help skills, and sound nutritional practices;
• Collaborate with family support staff to exchange information pertinent to the identification and services of children with disabilities;
• Collaborate with the mental health and program advisor teams to support the developmental needs of children and ensure developmentally appropriate practices;
• Guide children's acquisition of social skills and the ability to meet widely held expectations across all developmental domains.
• Attend staff training and meetings, and board and parent meetings as requested;
• Maintain a safe and healthy classroom environment. Assure that classroom equipment, furniture, materials, and supplies are responsive to children's needs, properly maintained and stored;
• Use the playground as an extension of the classroom; assures that the playground is safe;
• Assist in conducting the daily health and environment checklist;
• Assist in implementing children's I.E.P. (Individual Education Plan) or I.F.S.P. (Individual Family Service Plan) seeking clarification for any aspects that are not well understood;
• Assist in recruiting and orienting volunteers, providing them with guidance as needed;
• Complete and submit required forms and records in a timely and accurate fashion, e.g., lesson plans, time sheets, meal reports etc.;

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• An associate’s degree in early childhood education or child development and a Level 4 ECE and IT credential; or
• A baccalaureate and a Level 4 ECE and IT credential;
• Have knowledge and experience in the philosophy and practices of Head Start (or comparable child development programs), early childhood education, developmentally appropriate practice, and bilingual education;
• Proof of a physical examination within the last six months, which includes a tuberculosis test, and comply with other background checks as required by Head Start Performance Standards (HSPPS), the Center, and/or DCFS licensing;
• Personal qualifications as required in Part 407: Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers, emotional maturity, willingness to cooperate with the aims of the program, respect for children and adults, flexibility, patience, good personal hygiene, and physical and mental health which does not interfere with responsibilities;
• An education or experience in collaborating with parents in the education of their children

Additional Requirements:

• Requires ability to use abstract reasoning, problem solving, planning, and analytical skills in: Training, evaluation, and program development;
• Requires effective interpersonal and oral communication skills for supervisory duties;
• Requires effective writing and oral communication skills;
• Requires proficient use of technology, Microsoft word, Outlook, and the ability to acclimate to online portal usage for recording observations, assessments, and lesson planning.
• Successful experience working in a team setting;
• Ability to present a positive image of the organization to members of the community;
• Visual and auditory acuity within professionally determined normal ranges, with correction if need;
• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer and office equipment, including, but not limited to, the telephone, fax machine, copier, and tape recorder;
• Must be able to lift 55 pounds;
• Experience successfully working with a culturally diverse staff and program stakeholders.

Working Conditions:

• Possible exposure to blood and bodily fluids or tissues;
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases;
• Job requires sitting for long periods of time (during planning and reporting) and standing for long periods of time (during work with children, observations, and training), as well as stooping, squatting, and running.

Carole Robertson Center for Learning provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Fostering a safe environment for the children, families, and communities we serve, and our employees is of the utmost importance. In this spirit, please note that upon accepting an offer of employment, you will be required to share proof of full COVID-19 vaccination status. To be considered fully vaccinated, it must be at least two weeks since you received the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine or the only dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. Accommodation requests will be considered in compliance with applicable laws.