Pre-K Teacher Assistant (Augusta Locations)

YMCA of Metro Atlanta•Augusta, GA

About The Position

The YMCA of Metro Atlanta is seeking a Pre-K Teacher Assistant to work cooperatively with the Pre-K Lead Teacher in planning and conducting learning experiences and activities, and to assist with the day-to-day management of an assigned classroom. Under the supervision of the Center Director, the assistant helps create and maintain a safe, clean, orderly, and engaging learning environment for children. The role includes preparing and conducting developmentally appropriate individual and group activities, supporting children’s progress and development, and contributing to classroom planning and management. The assistant may assume primary classroom management responsibilities in the teacher’s absence. The position also involves communicating with families, participating in home visits and parent-teacher conferences, attending required meetings and professional development, and following health, safety, sanitation, and mandatory reporting procedures. Applicants must have an associate degree in Early Childhood Education and strong verbal and written communication skills. The role includes physical requirements such as kneeling, bending, squatting, lifting, pushing, pulling, and carrying objects or children weighing up to 50 pounds. Employment is contingent on passing required background and screening checks and being legally eligible to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship. The YMCA states that its employment and benefits package is offered through the YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc.; specific benefits are not listed.

Requirements

Associate degree in Early Childhood Education.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to kneel, bend, squat, lift, push, pull, and carry objects or children weighing up to 50 pounds.
Ability to pass a pre-employment criminal record check, drug screening, motor vehicle record check, and reference check according to company policy.
Must be legally eligible to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.

Responsibilities

Organize classroom space into functional areas in collaboration with the teacher.
Maintain a clean, healthy, safe, and orderly classroom environment, indoors and outdoors.
Keep classroom materials arranged and readily accessible to children.
Provide constant supervision of children during all activities.
Observe children’s physical conditions and refer concerns to the teacher.
Observe and assess children in each developmental area using designated screening and ongoing assessment processes.
Refer children with suspected problems to the teacher.
Provide input on the ongoing evaluation of each child’s progress.
Prepare lesson plans, materials, and learning environments with the teacher in advance.
Follow the daily schedule and conduct activities appropriate to children’s individual developmental levels.
Assume primary responsibility for classroom management in the teacher’s absence.
Provide varied art media and opportunities for creative expression.
Display children’s work at their eye level in the classroom, hallway, or other areas.
Conduct individual, small-group, and large-group activities.
Present activities and concepts in sequential order.
Plan and participate in a balanced program of open learning and structured activities.
Communicate the need for additional supplies to the teacher.
Use community resources and field trips to enrich classroom learning.
Conduct home visits and parent-teacher conferences during the school year.
Establish age-appropriate classroom rules with teachers.
Maintain classroom order using positive behavioral management approaches.
Support smooth transitions between activities.
Attend and participate in required team, site, and agency meetings, trainings, professional development, and continuing education.
Follow site-appropriate health, safety, classroom organization, classroom aesthetic, and sanitation guidelines.
Follow mandatory reporting procedures for suspected abuse, unsafe conditions, repair needs, complaints, accidents, and injuries.