Preschool Teacher Assistant (Center)
About The Position
The Preschool Assistant Teacher is responsible for partnering with the Lead Preschool Teacher to actively facilitate the education, care and general development of the children following DCFS licensing, NAEYC, and Head Start performance standards. The roles and responsibilities of the Preschool Assistant Teacher will promote early education to our most needed communities. The Preschool Assistant Teacher is responsible for partnering with the classroom team to provide developmentally and culturally appropriate lesson plans for the classroom. As part of the classroom team, the Preschool Assistant Teacher works with the team to effectively manage the classroom environment. Promotes recognition, acceptance and positive interactions among children, families and staff in the classroom. Completes and facilitates lesson plans in cooperation with the classroom team. The full-time Preschool Assistant Teacher will be a position in partnership with Early Childhood Education directly impacting the West Town neighborhood. In return for your commitment to Erie House and its mission to the community, you will enjoy excellent professional development opportunities, opportunity for growth, and have direct impact in building powerful communities. Be a part of one of the oldest and most respected Settlement Houses in the Chicago Land Area.
Requirements
- Associates degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development.
- Must obtain an Illinois Gateway ECE credential level 4 within 6 months of employment.
- Experience working in a licensed day care center.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
- Criminal, Child Abuse and Neglect and Sex Offender background checks mandatory.
- Must be able to sit on the floor for extended periods of time.
- Demonstrates the following qualities: self-motivated, self-directed, follows directions, makes good judgments, creative, reliable, and dependable.
- Exhibits sincere interest in working with children and is knowledgeable regarding children's development and growth.
- Ability to respond immediately to any emergency situation.
- Provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
- Upon offer of employment, must complete all forms related to hiring, including Erie’s application and employment status.
- Must provide three letters of recommendation.
- Must complete all DCFS licensing forms, including a criminal background check, fingerprinting, and a child abuse and neglect background check.
- Must be a member of AFSCME or join after 30 days.
Nice To Haves
- Bilingual/bicultural Spanish preferred.
Responsibilities
- Partnering with the classroom team to provide developmentally and culturally appropriate lesson plans for the classroom.
- Working with the team to effectively manage the classroom environment.
- Promoting recognition, acceptance and positive interactions among children, families and staff in the classroom.
- Completing and facilitating lesson plans in cooperation with the classroom team.
- Actively facilitating the education, care and general development of the children following DCFS licensing, NAEYC, and Head Start performance standards.
Benefits
- Excellent professional development opportunities
- Opportunity for growth
- Direct impact in building powerful communities
- Generous paid time off (12 accrued sick days per year, 3 personal days, paid birthday off, 8 paid holidays including Juneteenth, paid week off between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, vacation days starting at 8 days in Year 1 and increasing to 20 days by Year 3+).
- Access to alternative and flexible work schedules and personal leave, where possible.
- Two-weeks fully paid Parental Leave, for eligible employees.
- Time off for school conferences and activities as well as bereavement leave.
- Employer-sponsored learning and development programs.
- Paid day off annually for personal professional development.
- Tuition Assistance & Debt Relief Program, as budget allows.
- CPR and First Aid Training and 20 annual professional development training hours provided.
- Employer-sponsored health, dental, and vision insurance.
- Employer-paid life insurance.
- Voluntary life and AD&D and short and long-term disability.
- Flexible Spending Accounts for medical, vision, and dependent care.
- 403b with employer match.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- $500 Sign On Bonus upon hire and another $500 upon completion of 90 days.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
