ASST TEACHER

Matrix Human Services•Detroit, MI

14d•$22 - $24

About The Position

The Assistant Teacher provides a safe, nurturing, and developmentally focused learning environment for children and their parents. With support from the Teacher, the Assistant Teacher helps plan and participate in classroom, playground, and field trip activities designed to foster or enhance children’s development. The role also supports families as children’s first and primary teachers, contributes to children’s assessment and learning plans, and maintains required records and safeguards for confidential information. The Assistant Teacher follows Matrix Human Services’ policies and applicable Head Start and childcare requirements, participates in training and continuous quality improvement, and may fill in where needed or perform other duties as assigned. The role involves caring for preschoolers’ physical needs, including diapering and potty training, and may involve exposure to bodily fluids or communicable diseases and physical activities such as lifting, sitting, standing, walking, squatting, kneeling, climbing, and bending.

Requirements

CDA credential or a state-awarded certificate that meets or exceeds CDA credential requirements.
Enrollment in a program leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree, or in a CDA credential program to be completed within two years of hire.
Knowledge and experience with basic principles of child development.
Strong knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards and Michigan Childcare Licensing Regulations.
Ability to work effectively in a culturally diverse environment and a collaborative, team-based setting.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
Reliable transportation.
Follow the chain of command for conflict situations.
Personal qualifications include emotional maturity, willingness to cooperate with program aims, respect for children and adults, flexibility, patience, good personal hygiene, and physical and mental health that does not interfere with responsibilities.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including lifting up to 45 pounds and sitting, standing, walking, squatting, kneeling, climbing, and bending.
Ability to work in an environment with possible exposure to blood, bodily fluids or tissues, and communicable diseases.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience working with children and families is preferred.

Responsibilities

Create and maintain a clean, safe, healthy, and developmentally focused learning environment.
Supervise and monitor children at all times, respond to emergencies, and implement active supervision, health, and safety practices.
Establish a positive classroom climate and guide children’s behavior in positive and effective ways.
Follow a consistent schedule of group experiences, work time, music and movement, motor activities, skill development, meals, and transitions.
Encourage exploration, experimentation, problem solving, cooperation, socialization, and choice making; use questions to promote children’s thinking.
Use outdoor time as an extension of the classroom and ensure the playground is safe.
Promote English language acquisition for English and dual language learners.
Release children only to individuals with appropriate signed consent.
Eat with and assist children in developing social and self-help skills and sound nutritional practices.
Sanitize classroom equipment and toys and complete the daily classroom health and safety checklist.
Support families in their role as their child’s first and primary teacher.
Conduct required parent-teacher conferences and home visits to assess and support children and share educational strategies for school and home.
Adapt lesson plans to children’s individual goals identified in ILPs, IEPs, and IFSPs.
Monitor for and report child abuse.
Assist with inventory of equipment and supplies and cooperate with staff to maintain smooth center operations.
Ensure developmental screenings are completed within 45 days of enrollment.
Use observation, ongoing assessment, and tracking to support positive child outcomes; maintain anecdotal notes on children’s development.
Enter COR notes into the database within program timelines.
Protect the privacy and confidentiality of information.
Complete and submit required documentation, records, and reports accurately and on time.
Participate in grantee-sponsored, center pre-service, in-service, continuing education, career development, and professional development activities; review regulations and other resources.
Provide for preschoolers’ physical needs, including diapering and potty training.
Fill in where needed and perform other duties as assigned.
Use data to support program goals, apply strategies that promote learning, and identify and address opportunities for continuous improvement.
Adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics, Head Start requirements, licensing regulations, and the NAEYC Code of Conduct, and promote Matrix Human Services’ mission and values.