Assistant Teacher

Family Focus•Chicago, IL

1d•$22

About The Position

Welcome to Family Focus, where we're on a mission to empower families and their children across Chicagoland! Through our comprehensive range of holistic family support services, including center-based and home-based services, emergency assistance, prevention initiatives, early childhood education, after-school programs, and more. At Family Focus, we believe in the power of community support to unlock the full potential of our neighborhoods. With 11 centers already making a difference, we're excited to expand our reach and touch even more lives. That's why we're on the lookout for passionate individuals who share our vision to join our team as we grow and serve more families. Are you ready to make a difference? We want you to be a part of our journey! The Assistant Teacher is responsible for contributing in the classroom team in planning, organizing, and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum for preschool and/ or Head Start children. Assist in planning and implementing classroom activities that meet the needs of individual children and are based on IL standards and Head Start standards. Work with birth to 5-year-old children in groups and individually. Demonstrate initiative in creating a positive team. All teachers serve as ambassadors for the school and the agency. Duties include, but are not limited to:

Requirements

Must have a minimum of an AA in Child Development from an accredited college or Must be enrolled in AS program with 30 credits, but at least 15 must be in Child Development/ Early Childhood Education
Must have Gateways IT Credential Level 4
Relates well with children and adults.
Excellent verbal communication skills.
Ability to work with culturally diverse populations.

Responsibilities

Develop positive relationship with children and parents
Assist lead teacher in preparation and implementation of lesson plans for classroom activities covering all developmental areas: language, cognitive, physical, personal, social/emotional and creative.
Explore new curriculum ideas and implement the Project Approach along with the Creative Curriculum.
Create an atmosphere in which children can learn, grow, build self-esteem, and in which they can feel secure.
Adapt curriculum and provides leadership for planning and implementation of activities to meet each child's individual needs.
Work positively with the team to assess the needs of individual children.
Collaborate with the service review team. in initiating referrals for special needs services.
Participate in child staffing.
Participate in parent-teacher conferences, and other formal/ informal conference conversation throughout the year as appropriate.
Establish and maintains effective working relationships with parents.
Observe, document and report appropriate aspects of and changes in child's health, including but not limited to injuries, changes in physical appearance and/or social behaviors.
Fill out appropriate accident and incident reports on the day of occurrence.
Discuss and maintain records of child observation and child evaluations through Teaching Strategies Gold, Copa and Education Folders.
Collaborate with lead teacher and director around the ordering and purchasing of supplies.
With classroom team, responsible for room arrangements and proper care of classroom equipment.
Maintain safe, neat, orderly, and clean environment that is age appropriate for children.