Assistant Teacher

Job Description

Job DescriptionDescription:

SUMMARY

The Assistant Teacher assists the classroom teacher in preparing materials, and working with children in the classroom. The Assistant Teacher must also understand the physical and emotional needs of children, enjoy working with them, and show understanding and patience, as well as promote the mission values and philosophy of Bright Futures Early Learning Center.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes the mission, values, and philosophy of Bright Futures Early Learning Center.
• Maintains an approachable manner, listens attentively to parents/guardians and staff, as well as treating parents/guardians, children and staff with kindness and respect.
• Interacts with children, parents/guardians and co-workers in a professional manner at all times.
• Acts as a role model to all children attending Bright Futures.
• Performs miscellaneous duties as assigned by the Director/Assistant Director/Teacher.
• For safety reasons, allows only authorized persons entry into the building and allows only authorized individuals to pick up children.
• Provides active supervision in the classroom and outdoors.
• Never leaves dangerous materials, equipment or cleaning supplies within the reach of children.
• Ensures that Bright Futures is in compliance with EEC rules and regulations at all times.
• Communicates with parents as it relates to the daily routine of their child.
• Is knowledgeable about Bright Futures confidentiality policy, which provides that information contained in a child’s record is privileged and confidential, and may not be distributed, shared or discussed (including photographs or other images) by any staff member.
• Assists with roll call.
• Completes all EEC online training requirements within 60 days of hire.
• Assists in setup and cleanup during snack and meal times, and assists the children during snack and meal time.
• Assists in any duties assigned with cleaning, organizing, etc.
• Serves as an escort for children in the transportation program; escorting them to and from the van or bus and initialing the drop off/ pick up.
• Attend field trips as required.
• Is always aware of the whereabouts of every child in the classroom, communicating with other staff about the number of children in their care throughout the day, and ensuring that EEC ratios are enforced at all times, as well as never leaving a child or room unattended.
• Is knowledgeable about chronic conditions, allergies including food allergies, and asthma for all students in his/her classroom.
• Ensures that the classroom is clean, safe, and well organized with supplies and equipment is put away when not in use.
• Immediately reports to the Director any unsafe equipment or toys, or any dangerous or hazardous situations.
• Uses proper hand washing up to but not limited to: before handling food, after diaper changing, blowing noses, using bathrooms, caring for sick a child, and handling of animals.
• Documents all incidents and accidents as per EEC regulations and Bright Futures policies and procedures, utilizing proper forms.
• Immediately reports to the Director any suspicious or inappropriate behavior from staff, children, parents/guardians, and immediately informs the Director of any parent complaints.
• Acts as a mandated reporter by Massachusetts State Law with regard to suspected child abuse and/or neglect, and as a mandated reporter is required to report any suspected child abuse/neglect to the Director immediately.
• Reacts calmly and responds effectively in emergency situations.
• All staff members shall ensure that the needs of all children are met at all times.
• Takes a team approach to performing duties.
• Meets licensing and other requirements for continuing education which includes completing a professional development plan outlining short term and long-term goals to be reviewed annually with the Director.
• Attends monthly staff meetings and professional development day trainings as required.
• Meets all professional development training in accordance with EEC regulations and requirements, as well as Bright Futures policies and procedures.
• Maintains CPR and First Aid Certifications.
• Regular and reliable attendance is an essential function of this position.
• Time off requests must be in writing at least two weeks in advance of the request.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position is in a childcare center that operates from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm Monday through Friday. This position may require additional work hours. Classroom assignment and scheduled hours are subject to change. Employees may be asked to report or to remain at work during adverse weather conditions. When required to report to work under these circumstances, the employee is expected to use sound judgment with respect to maintaining personal safety given his/her individual circumstances, but to also make a substantial good faith effort to reach the work site in a timely manner.

Requirements:

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. These requirements are representative, but not all-inclusive of the knowledge, skill, and ability required performing this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Standing: 20% to 25% of the time
• Sitting: 50-80% of the time
• Walking: 20% to 25% of the time
• Running: 10%-15% of the time
• Skipping: 1% - 2% of the time
• Hopping: 1%-2% of the time
• Balancing: 20% to 25% of the time
• Stooping: 5% to 10% of the time
• Kneeling: 5% to 10% of the time.
• Crouching: 5% to 10% of the time.
• Reaching/working overhead/grasping: 10% to 15% of the time
• Climbing: 1% to 2% of the time
• Pushing: 10-20 pounds, 5% to 10% of the time
• Pulling: 10-20 pounds, 5% to 10% of the time
• Lifting/carrying: 10-20 pounds, 60%-70% of the time, up to 75lbs 10% of the time
• Bending: 75% of the time
• Pinching: 1%-2% of the time
• Twisting: 2%-3% of the time
• Using hands and arms in handling: 50-60% of the time
• Positioning and moving and manipulating items: 50%-60-% of the time
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 75 pounds.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education/Licensure

• Must be at least 18 years old or have a high school diploma or equivalent and must work at all times under the direct supervision of at least a teacher qualified staff person.
• Must be certified in CPR and Basic First Aid with certificates current and kept on file.
• Must complete required EEC online training(s).Skills
• Active Listening: giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Social Perceptiveness: being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react the way they do.
• Service Orientation: actively looking for ways to help people, speaking to others to convey information effectively.
• Critical Thinking: using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusion or approaches to problems. Possess good judgment and decision-making skills, complex problem-solving skills and time management skills, managing one’s own time and the time of others.

OTHER DUTIES

This job description is only a summary of the typical functions of this position, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks and duties. Responsibilities, tasks, and duties of individual jobholders may vary from the above description. Other duties, as assigned by the jobholder’s supervisor may also be required. Bright Futures Early Learning Center reserves the right to redefine position descriptions, as necessary