Preschool Assistant Educator

Description

Position Overview:

The Early Language and Literacy Initiative (ELLI) is a high quality interdisciplinary approach to early childhood education. The ELLI Assistant Educator will work collaboratively with the innovative ELLI teaching staff and ELLI partners, including Stepping Stones and Literacy How, to ensure quality and comprehensive teaching and learning experiences are consistently provided for children ranging in age from birth to 5. The ELLI Assistant Educator facilitates the ELLI teaching approach in a complex, play-based learning environment, embedding early language and literacy within content-rich learning units designed according to guidelines established by ELLI,  the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). 

The ELLI Assistant Educator will support parents in their role as primary caretakers and educators of their children and encourage their involvement in all aspects of the program. Maintain on-going contact with families and work with all other components (health, nutrition, family services, mental health, special services, parent education and resource referral) to integrate services into the family settings. The Assistant Educator will support one or more sites, including the ELLI Lab School at Stepping Stones, ELLI at Fairfield University and ELLI in Norwalk Public Schools. 

Position Responsibilities:

Leadership and Accountability

• Responsible for the supervision of the children at all times while they are at the site, indoors or outdoors, or on field trips. 
• At no time shall a child be left unsupervised. 
• Implements and annually reviews specific written policies, plans and procedures required by applicable statute or regulation, including Professional Development and OEC Registry requirements.
• Ensure the health and safety of children under their active supervision at all times
• Possess ability to frequently face deadlines with attention to detail and must complete tasks in a timely manner. Considerable amounts of variable levels of concentration with frequent or constant interruptions. Must be able to handle multi-faceted tasks on a frequent basis.
• Supports the ELLI Educator to carry out activities on a daily basis and evaluate the effectiveness of child development activities.
• Supports the ELLI Educator with appropriate referrals for children and family.
• Supports in planning, developing, and implementing individual education and action plans when needed.
• Maintain confidentiality of child and family information at all times.

 Learning Impact

• Plans and implements immersive learning experiences for ELLI students as part of a collaborative teaching team; embraces and enhances their capabilities; and inspires them to love to learn.
• Exhibits enthusiasm for educational innovation and a commitment to creating a child-powered environment both in the classroom and in the museum.
• Engages parents and caregivers as partners in their child’s learning by welcoming and connecting with each parent; encourages supportive and involved relationships with each parent; helps to expand parent and caregiver skills.
• Works collaboratively with the ELLI teaching team and museum staff; provides cross-functional learning opportunities that embed ELLI into daily museum activities.
• Documents and discusses student learning gains and impact the ELLI teaching team, mentors, parents and caregivers.
• Participates in ongoing professional development.      
• Carry out activities on a daily basis and evaluate the effectiveness of child development activities.
• Assist in appropriate referrals for children and family.
• Plans, develops, and implements individual education and action plans when needed.
• Maintain confidentiality of child and family information at all times.

Teamwork and Collaboration

• Collaborates with the ELLI teaching staff to consistently create quality learning experiences for ELLI students; contributes expertise and ideas.
• Maintain proper classroom coverage by meeting child adult ration.
• Dedication to working closely and cooperatively in a community-based organization with diverse staff, clients, families and/or partnerships.
• Ability to demonstrate cooperative behavior at all times and communicate well with all levels of staff, supervisors, children, and families.
• Increases the effectiveness of surrounding teams through collaboration, constant learning, and supporting others; sensitive to diversity; respects and is committed to learning from others.

Stewardship and Community Focus

• Acts as an ambassador and actively shares information within area communities to raise awareness of ELLI and ELLI partners.
• Represents Stepping Stones as a respected educational resource and communicates the museum’s mission in a variety of settings.
• Proactively identifies, recruits and leverages expertise and resources to develop successful community relationships.

Requirements

Required Education and/or Certifications:

• Credentialed early childhood specialist with an Associate’s degree in early childhood education, child development or human development or a related field with at least twelve (12) credits in child development or early childhood education. 
• Minimum two (2) years experience at a licensed child day care center that meets standards comparable to those in Connecticut and/or experience in group care for children ranging in age from birth to 5 years.
• Must maintain up to date CPR and First Aid training along with other required licensing regulations

Minimum Experience/Skills:

• Combination of education and experience in early childhood programs and/or pre-school setting
• Knowledge of language and pre-literacy development 
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills with staff and community partners
• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred 
• Creative problem-solving skills; proven ability to recommend and implement process improvements and new initiatives; strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Sensitive to diversity including individuals with physical challenges or special needs
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Computer skills including Microsoft Office; proven ability to learn new systems and software

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. The employee is regularly required to sit and use hands to handle. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear. The employee is often required to stand, walk, reach with hands/arms, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally life and/or move up to 60 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. Must be physically fit and capable of lifting, scooping, squatting, bending, sitting, and standing for an extended period of time.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. If possible, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate to high.