Preschool Teacher Assistant

McHenry County College•Crystal Lake, IL

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for teaching/supervising in all preschool curricular areas and providing for the needs of the children while in the care of the MCC Children's Learning Center. This role requires attending and participating constructively at staff meetings, implementing teaching methods consistent with the Center’s curriculum model and the methods taught in the Early Childhood Education Program, and assisting in maintaining DCFS licensing standards and national accreditation guidelines. The position also involves reporting child abuse as mandated by law, resolving conflicts with children and parents when appropriate, deciding upon and using behavioral techniques suitable for the educational needs of children, and promoting and supervising activities that encourage healthy emotional, social, cognitive, and physical development. The assistant will be responsive to children, interact in their activities when appropriate, and maintain a clean and orderly environment. Communication with parents in a positive manner is essential, as is setting up and cleaning up the classroom as necessary. The role serves as a professional role model for ECE students and the childcare community. Additionally, the position requires maintaining and documenting 15 clock hours of professional activities each year to meet DCFS standards and using computers, a laminator, copy machine, and audiovisual equipment. Additional duties may be assigned by the immediate supervisor.

Requirements

60 college credits with 6 of those credits in courses directly related to early childhood education or child development from birth to age 8.
Experience in a licensed preschool, child care facility
OR 30 college credits with 6 of those credits in courses directly related to early childhood education or child development from birth to age 8, and one year (1560 clock hours) of experience in a licensed preschool child care center or kindergarten
Ability to demonstrate interactive skills with children consistent with CLC policies
Ability to work independently as well as in a team setting
Knowledge of DCFS licensing standards and NAEYC accreditation guidelines
Written and oral communication skills required
Self-directed and flexible
Ability to work under pressure
Strong interpersonal skills required
Good organization skills
Ability to see what needs to be done and do it
Ability to safely lift 50 pounds unassisted
Position subject to successful background check and fingerprinting as required by law
First Aid and CPR certification
Must maintain and document 15 clock hours of professional activities each year to meet DCFS standards
Subject to blood borne pathogen legislation.

Responsibilities

Attend and participate constructively at staff meetings
Implement teaching methods consistent with the Center’s curriculum model and the methods taught in the Early Childhood Education Program
Assist in maintaining DCFS licensing standards and the national accreditation guidelines
Report child abuse as mandated by law
Resolve conflicts with children and with parents, when appropriate
Decide upon and use behavioral techniques appropriate for educational needs of children
Promote and supervise activities for children which encourage healthy emotional, social cognitive and physical development
Be responsive to children
Interact, when appropriate, in children’s activities
Maintain a clean and orderly environment
Communicate with parents in a positive manner
Set up and clean up in the classroom as necessary
Serve as a professional role model for ECE students and the childcare community at large
Maintain and document 15 clock hours of professional activities each year to meet DCFS standards
Use computers (in the office and classroom), laminator, copy machine, and audiovisual equipment