Assistant Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

About This Role

Friends Center is an early childhood education center providing year-round, full-time care for children ages 3 months to 5 years. We offer a child-centered, hands-on learning experience in a safe and nurturing environment. At the Center, children learn through creative play and a wide range of developmentally-appropriate activities. We are a non-sectarian organization whose value-based curriculum is guided and enhanced by its foundations in the Quaker principles of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equity, and stewardship. As a cooperative organization, parents and teachers at the Center work together to create a diverse and supportive community. Our mission is: educate children, empower families, inspire teachers, engage community, embrace diversity.

Reports to: School Director and Head Teacher

Classification: FTE - Exempt

Hours: Full-time 40hrs (some evenings and occasional weekend hours)

Salary Range: $36-42K

Position Summary:

The Assistant Teacher is responsible for supporting the Head Teacher with the general supervision and management of children and curricula. The Assistant Teacher will support the implementation of the mission of Friends Center by providing best practices in childcare while using a cooperative model and the Quaker principles of simplicity, peaceful resolutions of conflicts, integrity, community and equality.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Teaching :

• With the guidance of the Head Teacher, plan, supervise and implement infant/toddler curriculum. The curriculum will reflect the Quaker values as outlined above as well as best practices. The curriculum framework will be guided by children’s interests and developmental needs resulting in daily activities that are reflective of the mission of Friends Center.
• With the support of the Head Teacher document observations of children using learning stories to support the ongoing assessment of children’s developmental progress
• Meet the physical, social-emotional and cognitive needs of all children in the center.
• Provide materials for children that are reflective of Friends Center philosophy.
• With the guidance of the Head Teacher, keep the classroom organized, clean and appealing including changing the materials on the walls and/or bulletin boards on a bi-monthly basis based on developmental needs and interests.
• Maintain a positive emotional attitude with children, families and other staff.
• Work to build positive relationships among staff/parents/guardians/volunteers.
• Attend all staff meetings.
• Meets with weekly to discuss children, families, and teaching teams
• Keeps classrooms organized, clean, and appealing, including changing the materials on the walls and/or bulletin boards on a bi-monthly basis based on developmental needs and interests

Modeling :

• Maintains a positive emotional attitude with the Executive Director, School Director, families and other teachers
• Mentors all teaching staff and models best practices for parent-cooperative volunteers
• Models child guidelines for teachers, assistant teachers, aides, and parents
• Works to build positive relationships among staff/parents/guardians/volunteers

Assessment :

• Participates in ongoing evaluation of assessment of children through, but not limited to, daily observations, collecting weekly work samples, and written assessments
• Conferences with families biannually, or as needed, and develops goals for each child with the family
• Provides ongoing evaluation as needed to assess the developmental levels of the children
• In consultation with the School Director and the Emotional Well-Being Coordinator, supports referrals for families as needed for evaluation and/or services

Professional Development:

• Attends all staff meetings.
• Maintains required continuing education hours and knows current theory and best practices.
• Participates in all required early childhood meetings, conferences, and/or events.
• Includes all continuing education certificates in the personnel file

Qualifications:

• Good oral and written skills.
• Fluency in Spanish is a plus.
• Child Development Association Certificate (CDA)
• A.A. or B.A. in Early Childhood Education preferred.
• Cultural sensitivity and proven ability to work with a diverse population.
• Experience in a child-care setting preferred

• Experience in a cooperative model
• Fluency in Spanish or other second languages
• CPR certified or willing to immediately obtain training

Physical Requirements :

• Vision and hearing within normal range so as to be able to provide sight and sound supervision.
• Ability to lift and carry 40 lbs.
• Ability to bend, sit on the floor for prolonged periods, and get up and down with ease.

Fluency in Spanish

• Benefits : Health Insurance; 403B Retirement Plan, 10 days PTO in addition 30+ center closings (holidays and the week between Christmas and New Year’s), Paid Professional Development, Tuition Reimbursement for ECE coursework, Emergency Financial Hardship Support (teacher loans or grants), Emotional Wellbeing Hardship Support, Free Teacher Housing, and Tuition discount for employee children attending FCfC.