Associate Teacher for Early Childhood - GSRP - Brighton

The Associate Preschool Teacher works with the Lead Teacher to provide a warm, caring atmosphere and classroom based on a philosophy of trauma informed principles and goals. The Associate Teacher supports the academic and social development of children ages 3-5 years and their parents. Must be able to work and plan in a team setting, with patience, enthusiasm and respect for children, as well as parents and fellow staff. Must have working knowledge of early childhood development.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Supports the social-emotional needs of children.
• Supports oral communication with children and adults.
• Supports social skills, such as sharing with and helping others.
• Supports age appropriate developmental skills.
• Assists Lead Teacher with daily routines and activities.
• Supervises the classroom when Lead Teacher is out of room.
• May serve as substitute for Lead Teacher when designated by the Early Childhood Specialist or Director.
• Handles attendance reports and related clerical functions with the teacher.
• Helps Lead Teacher with general housekeeping tasks; provides a safe, appropriate learning environment.
• Assists children with health and physical needs.
• Maintains confidentiality of families and workplace.
• Supports Active Supervision as required by department policies and procedures.
• Attends professional learning as required.
• Attends staff and center team meetings.
• On occasion, may participate in Home Visits with Lead Teacher as required.
• Understands the impact of toxic stress and trauma on children and their families, and can implement and build on the trauma-informed framework developed in the classrooms.
• Understanding of and willingness to implement sensory integration in the classroom in collaboration with the lead teacher.
• Participates in classroom planning and facilitation of curriculum for young children in a developmentally appropriate setting based heavily in social-emotional development.
• Encourages oral communication with other children and adults.
• Assists with encouraging children’s social, academic, developmental, and personal skills.
• Welcomes, talks with and/or meets with parents as needed.
• Works with children experiencing difficulty as assigned.
• Maintains appropriate program records.

EDUCATION

Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development, or a valid classroom CDA credential.

EXPERIENCE

1 to 2 years of progressively more responsible or expansive experience supporting early childhood classrooms.

OTHER KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and/or ABILITIES

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• General knowledge of Head Start and/or Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) requirements and regulations.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ability to negotiate conflict and resolve emotionally charged situations.

PREFERRED

Knowledge of school districts and community.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
• Ability to write simple correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients and other employees of the organization.

REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.
• Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee must be able to push items of 50 lbs. such as pushing children on a bike or moving/rearranging furniture. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and peripheral vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud and is a standard acceptable level for this environment. The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance in the workplace throughout his/her employment.