Educational Assistant

Growing Up New Mexico•Santa Fe, NM

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Growing Up New Mexico is hiring Educational Assistants for their Early Learning Center at Kaune, which is a state-funded PreK Program focused on strengthening families and the community through early intervention, education, economic development, and family support. The center follows Reggio Emilia-inspired principles and adheres to ECECD regulations, New Mexico PreK standards, and NAEYC standards. The Educational Assistant, working alongside the Lead Teacher and other staff, is responsible for creating a supportive and engaging environment for children to develop their inquiries and social-emotional skills. The role involves participating in reflective processes with colleagues to enhance understanding of children and families, and maintaining a safe, clean, and organized classroom. The position requires assisting the Lead Teacher in preparing lesson plans, assessing child development, communicating with families, and completing home visits. Professionalism, tact, and patience are essential when interacting with children, families, and staff. The role also includes establishing a Professional Development Plan, attending required trainings, and complying with all organizational policies and licensing standards. Flexibility is needed for potential evening/weekend events.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED
Experience working with young children zero to five
Early Care, Education, and Family Support Entry Level Course (45-hour certificate) required
English writing proficiency required
Practical knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practices
Sensitivity with children and families who represent a wide range of socio-economic and risk factors
Ability to work well in a culturally diverse setting and knowledge of local population served
Ability to maintain accurate and up-to-date records using both paper files and computer software such as MS Word
Effective and accurate interpersonal communication skills, both oral and written
Professionalism, tact, and patience when communicating with children, families, employees, and staff at all levels of the organization
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw conclusions
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality at all times
Function effectively with teaching staff as a team member and work independently when required
Ability to pass a mandatory background clearance required of all childcare workers in the State of New Mexico
CPR certified within first 90 days of employment
Regularly required to walk, stand, drive, sit for long periods of time and use computer equipment and cell phones
Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl
Must be able to lift 50 pounds

Nice To Haves

Higher education, specifically in Early Childhood Education or closely related coursework
Associate degree in Early Childhood Education preferred
One year of work experience in early childhood education
Bilingual (English/Spanish) is preferred
Ability to read and write in Spanish is preferred

Responsibilities

Support learning through a Reggio Emilia approach, engaging in dialogue and implementing its principles in the classroom.
Support the Lead Teacher in creating a learning environment that fosters development in all areas: self, family, community, social-emotional, literacy, language, physical, scientific inquiry, mathematical, and approaches to learning and creativity.
Maintain a safe, clean, and organized environment in the classroom and throughout the school.
Manage the classroom through a democratic and respectful process.
Ensure all ECECD regulations for childcare, including health and safety, are met for each child.
Assist the Lead Teacher in creating and maintaining a classroom environment that supports all children, including those from diverse backgrounds and those needing special developmental support.
Assist the Lead Teacher in preparing and sharing weekly lesson plans based on research questions, assessment, and observation of children's learning and development.
Assist the Lead Teacher in assessing children's development and learning through recorded classroom observations.
Participate in weekly staff Collaborative Curriculum Meetings, All-Team Meetings, Monthly Team Meetings, and Individual Meetings with supervisor and co-workers.
Prepare and present documentation reflecting children's project work and studies.
Ensure ongoing supportive communication with families, sharing community resources, communicating about delicate situations, and ensuring completion of family paperwork.
Complete home visits and conferences in a timely manner.
Exhibit professionalism, tact, and patience when communicating with children, families, employees, and staff.
Respond positively to Lead Teacher, Director of Early Learning, and other supervisors regarding observations, direction, and interventions.
Establish a Professional Development Plan (PDP) by actively completing all degree requirements for Educational Assistant.
Attend all required trainings.
Comply with all Growing Up NM policies/procedures, Early Learning Center at Kaune protocols, and ECECD licensing/program standards.
Represent Growing Up New Mexico in a professional manner at special events or programs.
Perform within the prescribed limits of Growing Up NM ethics and compliance policies and in adherence to the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct.
Follow program, discipline, and confidentiality policies and procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor and/or Director of Early Learning at Kaune.