Assistant Teacher

Easter Seals Serving DCIMDIVA•Falls Church, VA

16d•$19 - $22

About The Position

The Assistant Teacher supports the care, learning, and development of children ages 6 weeks to 5 years in an inclusive classroom setting. The role works with the teaching team to create engaging activities for all children, including children with disabilities, and helps maintain a motivating, nurturing, safe, and clean classroom environment. The Assistant Teacher supports children’s health and well-being, including assisting with feeding, toileting, and cleanliness, and performs additional duties to support the center and children. The position includes supervising children according to applicable sight-and-sound requirements and staff-to-child ratios; encouraging safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate practices; and interacting responsively and respectfully with children. The Assistant Teacher contributes to classroom planning and management, implements lesson plans in accordance with Creative Curriculum, and uses Teaching Strategies Gold to track and assess children’s development and communicate about progress with families. The role also requires consistent attendance, participation in required meetings and training, collaboration with colleagues, and protection of confidential information.

Requirements

At least 1 year of professional teaching experience.
Must meet state and local licensing requirements for education; requirements may vary by location.
Ability to work with all age groups served by the center.
Minimum age of 16 with a work permit.
Commitment to prioritizing the needs of children and families.
Effective communication with participants, families, and community sources.
Willingness to participate actively and problem-solve.
Must satisfactorily complete a doctor’s physical examination and submit immunization/vaccination information.
Ability to frequently lift, hold, and carry children weighing 10–40 pounds; occasionally lift and move classroom furniture; and frequently bend, sit close to the ground, and stand for periods of time.
Ability to maintain the mental and physical alertness and energy needed to perform essential job requirements.
Ability to respond immediately and appropriately to multiple or unexpected situations or emergencies.

Nice To Haves

Related college-level coursework, a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, or higher is preferred.

Responsibilities

Work with the team to create inclusive activities for all children, including children with disabilities.
Help plan engaging classroom activities following Easterseals and NAEYC guidelines.
Create and maintain a motivating, nurturing, clean, safe, organized, and appealing classroom environment.
Prioritize children’s health, safety, and well-being, including assisting with feeding, toileting, and cleanliness.
Follow applicable health and safety procedures and policies, including regulatory and accreditation requirements.
Encourage appropriate health, safety, and nutritional practices among children and adults.
Maintain required sight-and-sound supervision and staff-to-child ratios, and remain aware of the number of children in care.
Set developmentally appropriate limits in accordance with positive guidance standards.
Interact frequently with children with care and respect; speak at their level, give them attention, and respond promptly and appropriately to their needs.
Model and encourage developmentally appropriate social behavior and engage children in conversations that extend their learning.
Report to work on time, maintain consistent attendance, and attend mandatory meetings, trainings, professional development days, and location events.
Share classroom responsibilities and take initiative to support children, the teaching team, and the classroom.
Build positive relationships with colleagues through professional communication and collaboration.
Protect confidential information about staff and families and communicate sensitively about it.
Follow employee handbook policies and conflict-resolution procedures.
Make routine classroom-management decisions and create and implement lesson plans in accordance with Creative Curriculum.
Track and assess children’s development using Teaching Strategies Gold.
Communicate with parents about children’s progress using Teaching Strategies Gold and manage parent-teacher conferences according to center guidelines.
Communicate concerns about a child’s behavior or development to a supervisor before discussing them with parents.
Perform additional duties as needed to support center operations and children’s well-being.