Preschool Teacher Assistant

Family Star Inc•Denver, CO

22d•$19•Onsite

About The Position

Family Star is currently seeking to fill the position of Teacher Assistant for our Northwest Denver location. If you want to make a difference in the lives of some of Denver’s most vulnerable population, Family Star is the place for you! Major Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: I. INTERACTIONS WITH CHILDREN • Interact with children in an open, honest, and loving manner, always with dignity and respect. • Be consistent: do what you say and say what you do. • Trust that children are able to do things by themselves. • Be aware of the child’s concentration and avoid disturbing it at all costs. • Consider children’s individual learning in relationship to their temperament, development, cultural and socio-economic background. II. INTERACTIONS WITH FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES • Respectfully, courteously, and professionally include families in our Montessori environment and actively encourage and support family participation in program activities. • Communicate daily with parents regarding progress, interactions, and incidents. • Understand when to answer inquiries and when to refer them to another team member. • Work collaboratively with families to meet children’s needs. • Participate in family nights, conferences, and home visits as needed. • Participate in community and public relation events as needed. III. LEARNING ENVIRONMENT • Calmly and efficiently assist in maintaining a safe and prepared environment for the children. • Keep the environment in order: clean, supplied and in good repair. • Follow all health and safety procedures. • Ensure children are supervised at all times. • Assist in preparing and maintaining classroom Montessori materials. • Follow CACFP guidelines while sharing the responsibility of food preparation. • Effectively communicate and collaborate with classroom teammates. • Work closely with sister classroom to share responsibilities. • Be flexible to assist in other classrooms as needed. • Sustain the team, the environment, and the classroom paperwork in the absence of the Lead Teacher. • Consistently complete and maintain pertinent child-related paperwork in a timely manner. • Complete opening or closing responsibilities based on the schedule of the position. • Follow all Family Star policies and procedures. • Other Duties as assigned. IV. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT • Participate in the continuous and creative process to meet individual and program goals through training and professional development. • Participate in recommended training programs, educational conferences, professional days, staff meetings, and other courses pertinent to professional growth. • Collaborate with Supervisor to develop and implement professional development plan and goals.

Requirements

Must have a minimum of a high school diploma or a GED.
Must have experience working with children in a Montessori setting.
Must meet state licensing qualifications at time of hire.
Must have a current CDA or the equivalent or obtain a CDA within one (1) year of date of hire.
2-4 years of teaching experience with children ages 0-6 (may be combined with other qualifications.)
Must be motivated and able to work independently as well as part of a team.
Must demonstrate a positive attitude with a commitment to customer service.
Must have oral and written proficiency in the English language.
Must be able to work the hours of the position based on the organization’s needs.
Must have current Infant/Child CPR, First Aid, Universal Precautions or they must be obtained within the first 90 days.
Must complete clearance of a background check, post-offer, pre-employment physical, and TB test.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in Early Childhood Education, Center Director qualifications or equivalent.
Experience working in an Early Head Start or Head Start setting.
AMI or AMS Montessori training
Experience working with children and families of diverse populations.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) desired but not required.

Responsibilities

Interact with children in an open, honest, and loving manner, always with dignity and respect.
Be consistent: do what you say and say what you do.
Trust that children are able to do things by themselves.
Be aware of the child’s concentration and avoid disturbing it at all costs.
Consider children’s individual learning in relationship to their temperament, development, cultural and socio-economic background.
Respectfully, courteously, and professionally include families in our Montessori environment and actively encourage and support family participation in program activities.
Communicate daily with parents regarding progress, interactions, and incidents.
Understand when to answer inquiries and when to refer them to another team member.
Work collaboratively with families to meet children’s needs.
Participate in family nights, conferences, and home visits as needed.
Participate in community and public relation events as needed.
Calmly and efficiently assist in maintaining a safe and prepared environment for the children.
Keep the environment in order: clean, supplied and in good repair.
Follow all health and safety procedures.
Ensure children are supervised at all times.
Assist in preparing and maintaining classroom Montessori materials.
Follow CACFP guidelines while sharing the responsibility of food preparation.
Effectively communicate and collaborate with classroom teammates.
Work closely with sister classroom to share responsibilities.
Be flexible to assist in other classrooms as needed.
Sustain the team, the environment, and the classroom paperwork in the absence of the Lead Teacher.
Consistently complete and maintain pertinent child-related paperwork in a timely manner.
Complete opening or closing responsibilities based on the schedule of the position.
Follow all Family Star policies and procedures.
Other Duties as assigned.
Participate in the continuous and creative process to meet individual and program goals through training and professional development.
Participate in recommended training programs, educational conferences, professional days, staff meetings, and other courses pertinent to professional growth.
Collaborate with Supervisor to develop and implement professional development plan and goals.