Assistant Teacher 4-5's

Job Summary

QUALIFICATIONS:  Two years of college education, prefer  Early Childhood Education experience;  Completion of Protecting God’s Children Child Abuse Seminar; Practicing Catholic.

1. Has knowledge of the Catholic Faith, supports and practices the teachings of the Catholic  Church.
2. Is willing to consider the education of the children and their parents as a way of serving the  church.
3. Has knowledge of what constitutes a sound educational program for young children (ages and  stages), which recognizes children’s needs at the social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and  spiritual levels.
4. Has a warm and friendly personality and recognizes each person to be a special and unique  human being.
5. Has a genuine desire to work with children..
6. Is able to work with co-professionals in planning and implementing educational programs.
7. Is punctual - arrives no later than designated time on Teacher Agreement to assist the Lead  Teacher in classroom preparations.
8. Presents an appropriate and professional image (manner, dress, written and verbal  communication.)

Job Responsibilities

1. Assists the Lead Teacher in room preparation and curriculum implementation throughout the  school year.
2. Supports curriculum based on school’s philosophy and on children’s needs and interests  utilizing developmentally appropriate practice and best practice methods at all times.
3. Ensures the safety and well-being of each child by responding to their emotional, social, and  physical needs as well as their educational needs.
4. Is ready to greet children when they arrive.
5. Shows genuine interest and warmth to each child.
6. Speaks with a voice that is gentle, quiet, calm, yet firm.
7. Sends clear and direct messages in a positive manner (“Keep the sand in the sandbox,” rather  than  “Don’t throw the sand.”)
8. Uses positive techniques for guidance, (redirection, previous planning, anticipating problems,  and positive reinforcement.)
9. Guides the expression of feelings, both negative and positive, in an appropriate way (“Use  your words”.)
10. Listens to and converses frequently with children, asking open-ended questions and speaking  individually to children.
11. Shows respect for children by addressing each child by name (with minimal use of impersonal  and collective terms such as “group”, “class”, “boys”, and “girls”) and model acceptance of all  children.
12. Establishes and/or reinforces realistic, age appropriate goals and objectives for children.
13. Emphasizes process rather than product in the use of art media.
14. Provides an environment in which the child can be autonomous, fostering independence and  responsibility.
15. Uses innovative and currently accepted methods of teaching, little or no use of structured  materials/patterns.
16. Encourages children to develop activities in their own way rather than in the way the teacher  might anticipate.
17. Encourages children to participate in group activities, yet respects the preferences of those  who wish to play alone with books, manipulatives, or other quiet activities, within the  classroom.
18. Helps children to acquire and use language.
19. Stays alert to the total group, even when dealing with a part of it.
20. Establishes and maintains a reasonable system of limits. 
21. Actively involves children in helping to solve classroom problems by working through  disagreements and conflicts.
22. Provides a good balance of gross and fine motor activities.
23. Provides a good balance of individual, small and large group activities.
24. Consider the outdoors as part of the learning environment.
25. Make certain children are involved in science activities on a regular basis.

Job Requirements

Supports multiple classrooms in a Catholic early childhood program by assisting teachers, supervising children, and promoting a safe, nurturing, faith-based environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist with arrival, dismissal, classroom activities, and supervision in gym/playground/restroom areas.

• Substitute as needed and support students requiring individual attention.

• Foster social, emotional, physical, and spiritual development using developmentally appropriate practices.

• Maintain a positive, respectful classroom presence and communicate effectively with staff and families.

• Ensure child safety and assist with daily routines and transitions.

Qualifications:

• 2 years of college; ECE experience preferred.

• Completion of Protecting God’s Children training.

• Practicing Catholic with understanding of the faith.

• Warm, flexible, professional, and collaborative.

• Must pass TB test and background requirements.