Job Title: Assistant Preschool Teacher
Work Days: 179; follows LCSD Calendar ; most weeks are Monday-Thursday!
Compensation: $17.00/ Hour – salaried and prorated for contract days. Paid year round! Plus EXCELLENT benefits including medical, dental, vision and PTO! FLSA: Non-Exempt
Mission Statement
Our mission is to promote the development of knowledge, skills and self-esteem through research-based early childhood services in a learning environment of respect for children and families throughout our community.
JOB SUMMARY
Assist the Lead Teacher with curriculum planning and assessment. Implement daily routine and supervise classroom activities when the Lead Teacher is unavailable. Assist the Lead Teacher with duties as delegated. Support the Lead Teacher with the implementation of developmentally appropriate educational experiences for preschool age children (3-5 years) based on the individual developmental needs of children. Provide active supervision and support the safety of preschool aged children in all environments. By using a variety of teaching strategies and materials in accordance with curriculum objectives, developmentally appropriate practice, Head Start Performance Standards, State of Colorado Child Care Licensing Regulations, and program philosophy, these experiences will encourage the development of the whole child.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Instructional Practices
- Assist lead teacher in executing developmentally appropriate “individual” education experiences in the fields of Social Emotional, Physical, Cognitive, and Language Development. Use effective approaches, strategies, and best practices in the classroom which correlate to the goals and objectives of the Creative Curriculum in the classroom environment and children’s daily learning experiences.
- Observe, assess, and record, child’s developmental progress on a daily basis. Individualize the curriculum to meet the child’s needs and report progress to families three times a year through home visits and parent/teacher conferences. Participate with families in setting individual goals for their children based on what is learned through the assessment.
- Work as a team member with the Lead Teacher and the Assistant Director of Education to set goals for improvement in the classroom and strive to meet the goals & expectations of the Creative Curriculum and the program around the quality educational experiences and best practices. Collaborate with your supervisor to create a professional development plan that will assist you in meeting your educational goals.
- Support the Lead Teacher to set up effective routines and procedures that lead to smooth classroom transitions. Utilize identified Pyramid Model program strategies to support foundational structures for effective classroom environments and emotional literacy. Teach and enforce classroom rules and expectations, as well as respect and care for school property and each other. Collaborate with the Special Education specialist and Assistant Director of Education to identify and implement strategies for individual children.
- Promote and supervise both long and short range activities which encourage the development of “the whole child” and support children in their home language by using the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, the Creative Curriculum, and Teaching Strategies GOLD along with Developmentally Appropriate Practices for school readiness.
- Promote positive self-concepts and independence by teaching or encouraging skills related to children’s emotional, social, intellectual, and physical health, and promote appropriate approaches to learning.
- Maintain a positive, constructive relationship with parents that supports the bond between child and family. This will include aiding in the planning and attending of home visits and parent/teacher conferences twice per year, monthly parent contacts and in-home learning ideas.
- Involve parents in the program in ways that enhance their abilities to support their children’s growth and development and promote the clear expectation that opportunities for involvement are intended to include fathers, mothers and other caregivers. Document all inkind.
- Model and assist children with good nutrition habits which include family style serving and recording meals
- Supporting the Lead Teacher with the documentation of teaching procedures through weekly lesson plans and calendars for parents and maintain appropriate records which include making a daily checklist related to safety, attendance, individualization through portfolios, classroom sign-in sign-out sheets, home visit and parent/teacher documentation, mental health and child development assessments, and/or other subjects.
Learning Environment
In conjunction with the Lead Teacher, create an effective classroom environment. Make physical changes to the classroom regularly in order to promote development and encourage learning. Create an effective environment for learning through use of visuals, selected resources, intentional selection of learning materials for centers, and displayed children’s work.
Supervise children’s actions to ensure their safety and program accountability.
Maintain a neat and organized classroom, in accordance with program goals and philosophy.
Program & Administrative
Work the days and hours to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks, be punctual and timely in meeting all requirements, including but not limited to, attendance standards and work deadlines.
Attend school functions, training, and mandatory staff meetings. Become aware and knowledgeable of regulations, guidelines & procedures for The Center Early Childhood Programs contained in the Colorado State Child Care Regs, Employee Health & Policy Handbook, Employee Code of Conduct and Head Start Performance Standards.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibility
Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries. Report any suspected child abuse to supervisor and DHS as required.
In Lead Teacher’s absence, Assistant Teacher will assume full responsibility for classroom and children
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
AA in Early Childhood Education/Related Field, Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate, or a Colorado Credential Level II, High School Diploma or GED
EXPERIENCE
6 months documented experience preferred
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, & EQUIPMENT
Communication, interpersonal, CPR, and First Aid skills. Ability to work with children and adults. Must pass a CBI fingerprint and background check prior to hire.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, & REGISTRATIONS
CPR and First Aid certifications required within three months after hire. Must obtain a physical and TB test within 30 days after hire.
SUPERVISION/TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITY
Responsible for supervising children while at The Center. Acts as a resource for children by assisting them with activities and for parents by providing information regarding children’s activities and/or progress.
JUDGMENT AND DECISION MAKING
Daily work is assigned by the Child Care Director and the Director of Early Childhood Programs. Requires independent judgment and application of professional standards to effectively execute education programs, monitor children’s progress, assess success of activities/program, monitor children’s safety, and/or manage the classroom. Decision making is guided by The Center Employee Handbook and Head Start Performance Standards. Decision making requires collaboration with The Center Leadership Team. Errors in decision making could impact children’s education opportunities, children’s safety, relationships with parents, and/or the public image of the programs. Supervisor is involved only in major decisions.
DIVERSITY OF DUTIES
Duties require cross training in child development, teaching strategies and team building. Duties extend within the assigned building on a daily basis.
The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to sit or be at eye level with the child. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
MENTAL FUNCTIONS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate, copy, instruct, use interpersonal skills, and negotiate. Frequently required to compare, analyze, coordinate, evaluate, and synthesize. Occasionally required to copy, compute, and compile.
How to apply:
● Internal candidates (LCSD Employees), please submit a transfer request, letter of interest and resume to: Brandi Lovely, LCES Principal and Kathleen Fitzsimmons, HR Director
The Lake County School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability in its programs, employment, or activities. A lack of English skills will not be a barrier to admission or participation.
