Erie Neighborhood House, a progressive social service agency serving the Chicago metropolitan area and dedicated to promoting a just and inclusive society, is seeking a TEACHER ASSISTANT to work in our NAEYC accredited Childcare Program.
BASIC FUNCTION:
Reporting to the Lead Teacher, the Teacher Assistant’s basic function is to be responsible for actively participating in the classroom team in the education care and general development of the children following DCFS licensing, NAEYC, and Head Start standards.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
In collaboration with the classroom team, plans, prepares, and implements developmentally and culturally appropriate lesson plans for the classroom
Engages and interacts with all children in the classroom to facilitate social and academic learning.
Meets with the lead teacher monthly for supervision and support
Uses active supervision techniques to supervise children at all times
Promotes recognition, acceptance and positive interactions among children, families and staff in the classroom
Participates in recruitment of children and families for Erie House programs
Opens or closes the classroom for the day as assigned
Remains in the classroom to supervise children whose parents pick up late as needed
Acts as an ambassador for Erie Neighborhood House Child Care
Acts as a Director Designee for the center as assigned
Monitors overall health and safety of the children as part of completion of daily health checks, and reports any signs of illness, injury, abuse or neglect to the lead teacher
With the classroom team, identifies children who may benefit from specialized services and assists in completion of referrals
Participates in quarterly team meetings with Family Advocate staff
Participates in transition meetings as needed
Attends monthly all staff meetings, agency meetings, and in-service meetings as required
Maintains a current Illinois Gateways Registry membership
Maintains five hours of Gateways approved trainings per program year
Completes 20 hours of professional development training per program year
Responsible for the program complying with Erie, the Board of Education and all State licensing requirements and performance standards, including promoting the health and safety of all children, following sanitation procedures and universal precautions, completing a bi-annual physical exam, complying with the Confidentiality and Child Abuse and Neglect Act as a mandated reporter, as well as the American with Disabilities Act and Erie’s Inclusion Policy
Other duties as assigned
Associates degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development
Bilingual/bicultural Spanish preferred
Must obtain Gateways Early Childhood Education certification level 4 by 2024
Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
Physical constraints required include but not limited to: the ability to lift and carry children and other items weighing up to 50 pounds, for purposes such as lifting a hurt child or lifting a child for the safety evacuation of the building during emergencies.
Must be able to sit on the floor for extended periods of time.
Demonstrates the following qualities: self-motivated, self-directed, follows directions, makes good judgments, creative, reliable, and dependable.
Provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States
Upon offer of employment, must complete all forms related to hiring, including Erie’s application and employment status. Must provide three letters of recommendation. In addition, must complete all DCFS licensing forms, including a criminal background check, fingerprinting, and a child abuse and neglect background check
Welcomes parents into the classroom and works to develop a positive relationship
POSITION REQUIREMENTS: