Assistant Teacher - Friends Location

Hours:  8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday with additional hours for staffing needs/ training/staff meetings as assigned by director

Scope of position:

The Assistant Teacher is responsible for supporting a cohesive teaching team, implementing the curriculum, and managing day-to-day operational activities of the classroom in the absence of the Lead Teacher. The Assistant Teacher is also responsible for general administrative duties as assigned, monitoring children's progress, and maintenance of related records for assigned classroom as directed by the Lead Teacher.   Assistant Teachers understand children's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development to ensure a safe and stimulating classroom environment where children are actively engaged and encouraged to succeed.  The Assistant Teacher promotes the school's philosophy and educational objectives and supports the mission and goals of the program.

Specific Duties:

• Have a positive attitude each day
• Be supportive of the mission and goals of Westminster Preschool
• Build strong relationships with children and families
• Always maintain adult supervision of children and adhere to child/staff ratios
• Attend all required training and events
• Demonstrate faith in action and love for children
• Upholds Biblical values and principles.

Classroom environment:

• Maintain a clean and organized classroom and learning environment
• Assist lead teacher in keeping learning centers neat and organized
• Follow a daily schedule, allowing for appropriate transition time between different activities
• Interact with the children during all activities
• Step in for lead teacher in her/his absence
• Implement activities as assigned by lead teacher
• Assume an equal share of the joint housekeeping responsibilities of staff
• Complete and submit the daily cleaning checklist in the absence of the lead teacher

Curriculum:

• Assist in implementing curriculum and lesson plans in the classroom
• Participate in mealtimes with children, encouraging them to try new foods, asking open ended questions, urging positive conversations.

Safety:

• Meet all health/safety standards as outlined in Indiana Childcare Licensing Rules and Regulations for Registered Ministries, CCDF, VCP and Paths to Quality
• Adhere to all Safe Sleep guidelines 
• Observe handwashing policies and procedures for both staff and children
• Observe proper diaper and sanitation procedures

Communication with children, families, and staff:

• Communicate with children with eye-level, one-on-one attention throughout the day
• Positively work with children on conflicts using a problem-solving approach
• Communicate with families through ProCare on a regular basis about their child's daily activities, teacher concerns, photos of their children, etc. 
• Communicate with co-works and administrative staff regarding classroom and work-related needs

Qualifications:

• Have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalency.
• Show interest in / working towards a CDA awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition or equivalent
• Ability to learn and utilize specialized software for parent and staff communication.
• Ability to communicate professionally verbally and in writing

Requirements:

• CPR/First Aid/Universal Precautions with annual recertification
• Must pass drug screening, criminal background check and FSSA background check
• TB testing
• Up-to-date physical
• Complete trainings in Safe Sleep, Indiana Early Learning Foundations, Child Abuse and Neglect, and Child Safety modules
• Maintain and hold 20 hours annually of in-service training on early childhood topics
• Attend and participate in all mandatory staff meetings/trainings
• Must be in a capacity to independently care for the appropriate number of children in the staff/student ratio required for the age group to which they are assigned
• Be familiar with the Voluntary Certification Program, Registered Ministry licensing requirements and Paths to Quality requirements

Physical requirements:  

• Willing and able to lift a child weighing at least 40 pounds
• Must be able to bend, stoop, reach, sit on the floor and rise from the floor without adult assistance.