Classroom Aide

SUMMARY OF PRIMARY FUNCTION

The Classroom Aide takes direction from and supports the teaching staff in conducting classroom activities, maintaining classroom environment and supervising children. The Classroom Aide may also assist in planning and record keeping as requested by the Teacher. This position also works to complete any other duties as assigned. Helps recruit potential parents by providing information to them about the various program services and benefits offered to enrolled children and families.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Classroom Operations

1. Assist classroom staff with implementation of daily activities and classroom management principles.
2. Assist in implementing classroom activities around concepts that incorporate the interests of the classroom community and meet goals and objectives outlined in the Creative Curriculum.
3. Maintain enough flexibility to allow children's interests to guide classroom direction.
4. Be responsible for and lead some activities as requested by the Teacher, Preschool Assistant Teacher or center leadership.
5. Establish and maintain positive, pleasant and trusting relationships with parents, respecting their individual needs and maintaining professional and appropriate boundaries.
6. Know all medical conditions/needs of the children in the classroom (including allergies) and how to respond to these needs.
7. Discuss what will be communicated to parents with the classroom team in order to give parents consistent messages in accordance with the Data Privacy policy.
8. Assume other duties as requested by the classroom staff or center leadership.

Safety & Sanitation

1. Assists in maintaining a safe, clean, care-giving environment, practices good personal hygiene and hand washing, and assures the well-being and safety of all of the children in that environment.
2. Tends to children's personal hygiene needs, including diaper changing, cleaning, feeding, and changing soiled or wet clothes.
3. Utilizes disciplinary measures appropriately as outlined in the Behavior Guidance Policies and Procedures.
4. Protects all children from physical punishment or verbal abuse by anyone in any program activity, and immediately reports any such incident to the person in charge.
5. Provides for the physical safety of each child from arrival time until departure time.
6. Assists in providing a healthy and safe classroom and playground environments throughout the day.
7. Assures that safety and sanitation policies and procedures are followed appropriately.
8. Assures that children are dressed appropriately for the weather and type of play in which they are engaged.
9. Assures that children are always supervised.
10. Have or obtain within 90 days of hire a First Aid and CPR Certification as well as maintain the certification during employment. Administers First Aid and/or CPR (if trained) when necessary.

Communication

1. Maintains an open, friendly, and cooperative relationship with each child and family.
2. Greets children and their parents warmly and with enthusiasm.
3. Maintains a cooperative attitude of working together with other staff, parents and volunteers in planning and implementing activities for the program/classroom.
4. Maintains a positive, calm attitude and a pleasant, soothing voice, and models this attitude and voice for parents and others working or volunteering in the program.

Schedules, Plans and Transitions

1. Implements transition activities to assist children with changes in the environment as determined by teacher.
2. Follow established routines to help children gain a sense of security.
3. Assists the teacher in creating intentional teaching opportunities in preparation for school readiness.

Individualizing

1. Assists the classroom staff in determining the needs of children and expedites services accordingly.
2. Assists the classroom staff in observations for individual children.
3. Assists in the planning and conducts activities with the child that creates a developmentally appropriate and varied range of opportunities to explore and experience which meet the individual needs of the child.

Parent Contact and Involvement

1. Assists in conducting parent conferences and home visits as requested.
2. Assist in providing ongoing contact with families via telephone calls, notes or visits, documenting activity on contact sheets.
3. Attends Parent Meetings as requested.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

1. Must be at least 16 years of age; candidates are strongly encouraged to obtain their high school diploma or GED.
2. Excellent communication skills, verbal and in writing.
3. Must enjoy and respect young children and their families.
4. Comfortable working with computers, willing and able to learn program specific systems.

Tri-Valley is a non-profit community action agency. We believe in the value of all human beings. It is that belief that drives our efforts to identify needs, seek resources and provide opportunities for people to thrive.

Our work is committed to strengthening our communities so that its citizens have better places to live, work, worship and enjoy.

The mission of Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. is to provide opportunities to improve the quality of life for people and communities.

If you are an applicant with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io.

Application Deadline: Until Filled

Employee Type: Regular 10 month

Hours per Week: 40

Shift Schedule: M-F 7:15am - 3:45pm

Service Area Coverage: Sleepy Eye, MN

Benefits: 401K/Roth, PTO Accrual, Paid Holidays, ESST, and Employer Paid Life/LTD, Optional benefits such as Health, Dental, Vision, HSA, FSA, Aflac/Colonial Life and Short-Term Disability

If any questions about the position, please contact: Erika Alvarez Garcia, View email address on click.appcast.io