Assistant Teacher
Are you passionate about enriching the lives of our future leaders? Easterseals is the right fit for you!
For more than 100 years, we've been dedicated to promoting equity and inclusion through our life-changing services for children, adults, caregivers, and veterans. We won't rest until everyone feels valued, respected, and accepted. At Easterseals, we take pride in providing experiences that our employees describe as rewarding, positive, and friendly! Our collaborative culture fosters teamwork as we work together to support children in the best ways possible. We celebrate achievements, big and small, from earning your CDA certification to celebrating an anniversary as an Easterseals.
Join us and be a part of our journey in making a positive impact on the lives of those we serve. Together, we can create an environment where everyone can thrive and experience the joy of learning.
Pay & Benefits
Pay ranges between $15.25 and $22.79 but, that’s not all! Our premier benefits package includes:
- Free CDA certifications
- Education Assistance
- Health/Dental/ Vision Insurance
- Bonuses
- PTO
- Discounts on entertainment, gym memberships, travel, theme parks, and clothing
- And so much more!
As an Assistant Teacher at Easterseals you will:
- Work with the team to create inclusive activities for all children, including those with disabilities.
- Help plan engaging classroom activities following Easterseals and NAEYC guidelines
- Create a motivating and nurturing classroom environment for the children.
- Prioritize child health, safety, and well-being. Assist with feeding, toileting, and cleanliness.
- Perform additional duties as needed to support the center's operation and children's well-being.
The Assistant Teacher is responsible for supporting the lead teacher with the overall daily classroom operations. Assistant Teachers are to provide a safe and nurturing environment that supports the social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development of children ages 6 weeks to 5 years of age. They are responsible for the implementation of developmentally appropriate lesson plans that are aligned with Creative Curriculum, national and state standards.
Essential Functions
Supervision, Health, and Safety
- Maintain a clean, safe, organized, and appealing classroom environment.
- Adhere to all health and safety procedures and policies as outlined by regulatory bodies, to include but not limited to, Easter Seals, state/local agencies, and accreditation organizations.
- Encourage all children and adults to use appropriate health, safety, and nutritional practices.
- Keep children within the required sight and sound supervision guidelines as indicated by regulatory bodies.
- Be aware of the number of children in your care and maintain staff/child ratios at all times.
- Set developmentally appropriate limits for children in accordance with positive guidance standards.
Staff/Child Interactions
- Interact with children frequently, with care and respect at all times.
- Speak to children at their level, giving them your full attention.
- Be available and respond promptly and appropriately to children’s needs.
- Model and encourage developmentally appropriate social behavior and expectations.
- Engage in frequent conversations with children and seek opportunities to expand on their learning.
Professionalism and Teamwork
- Ensure continuity of care by reporting to work on time and maintaining consistent attendance.
- Attend all mandatory meetings, trainings, professional development days and other location events as instructed.
- Assume a fair share of responsibility in the classroom and demonstrate initiative to support meeting the needs of the children, teaching team and classroom.
- Develop and maintain positive relationships with colleagues through professional and respectful communication and collaboration.
- Protect confidential information of staff and families and treat necessary communications related to such information with sensitivity.
- Follow the open door/conflict resolution procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook when addressing concerns.
- Adhere to all policies and procedures as outlined in the Easter Seals Employee Handbook.
Decision Making Authority
- Make routine decisions regarding classroom management.
- Create and implement lesson plans in accordance with Creative Curriculum.
- Track and assess children’s development using Teaching Strategies Gold.
- Communicate with parents regarding children’s progress using Teaching Strategies Gold.
- Schedule and manage the parent teacher conference process in accordance with center guidelines.
- Communicate with a Supervisor regarding concerns about a child’s behavior or developmental process in advance of communication with parents.
Job Qualifications
Education
- Must meet state/local licensing requirements for education.
- Must have related college-level coursework or CDA or higher preferred.
- Requirements may vary based on location.
Experience
- A minimum of 1 year of professional teaching experience required.
- Has the ability to work in all age groups served by the center.
Qualifications and Physical requirements:
- Minimum age: 16 with work-permit.
- Committed to prioritizing children and families' needs.
- Effective communication with participants, families, and community sources
- Willingness to actively participate and problem-solve.
- Must satisfactorily complete a physical examination by a doctor to include submission of information regarding immunizations/vaccinations.
- Frequently lift, hold, and carry children with a range of weight of 10-40 pounds. Occasionally lift and move classroom furniture. In addition, frequently bend, sit (close to the ground) and stand for periods at a time.
- Maintain mental and physical alertness and appropriate level of energy to perform essential job requirements.
- Respond immediately and appropriately to multiple and/or unexpected situations or emergencies.
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Easterseals policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, status as a special disabled veteran, or any other protected criteria as established by federal, state, or local laws. Employment decisions at Easterseals are based solely upon relevant criteria, including an individual’s capabilities, qualifications, training, experience, and suitability.
