Assistant Child Development Teacher

University of North Florida Alumni Association•Jacksonville, FL

About The Position

The full-time VPK assistant teacher works under the Lead Teacher and assists in teaching young children in accordance with UNF Preschool’s philosophy and mission, the Reggio Emilia Approach, the Project Approach, and NAEYC standards. UNF Preschool is part of the College of Education and Human Services and serves students and their children by responding to their individual needs and concerns. The role supports classroom planning and instruction, children’s assessment and learning documentation, classroom order and behavior management, and developmentally appropriate learning experiences across social-emotional, physical, language, social studies, arts, mathematical, and scientific domains. The assistant teacher also participates in professional inquiry and learning, supports colleagues as needed, and performs other duties assigned by the Preschool director. The position requires a background check and may require a credit check. It is designated as a Responsible Employee under Title IX and as a Campus Security Authority, with associated reporting and training responsibilities.

Requirements

High school diploma or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219.
Attain a Florida Staff Credential within one year of employment through one of the listed options: National Early Childhood Credential (including National CDA), Formal Educational Qualification, or Birth through Five Child Care Credential (FCCPC, ECPC, or CACC).
Complete 45 hours of Department of Children and Families (DCF) rules and regulations training within 60 days of employment.
Pediatric First Aid and CPR.
Experience working with young children.
Meet VPK credential requirements from the Early Learning Coalition.
Be positive and self-motivated, and willing to work in an environment emphasizing superior customer service in accordance with the university’s mission and values.
Demonstrate a caring and patient attitude and use conflict-resolution skills to help create satisfied customers.
Complete required Campus Security Authority training.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Early childhood experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist Lead Teachers in developing lesson plans using the Project Approach to promote literacy, language, mathematical and scientific thinking, social studies, arts, and social-emotional development; collaborate on classroom learning experiences.
Assist Lead Teachers in teaching across social-emotional, physical, language, social studies, and arts domains.
Help create and maintain a classroom environment and structure that supports order and behavior management.
Apply child-development knowledge and NAEYC developmentally appropriate practices in daily classroom activities.
Assist the Lead Teacher in implementing the Project Approach as a framework for learning experiences.
Promote the mission and vision of the preschool, College of Education and Human Services, and University of North Florida.
Assist with children’s assessment using strategies such as photography, anecdotal records, children’s words, and artifacts.
Help create and display documentation panels showing children’s learning and help manage each child’s portfolio as authentic assessment.
Engage in teacher inquiry, share learning within the professional learning community, at conferences, and through publication, and stay current with research-based practices and apply them in practice.
Assist and support other staff as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Preschool director.
Use digital technologies appropriately for early learning, instructional planning, and home-school collaboration.
Promptly report allegations of sexual misconduct, sexual violence, and child sexual abuse as required of a Responsible Employee under Title IX.
Report known crimes or incidents that might be crimes to the University Police Department as required of a Campus Security Authority, and complete required CSA training.