Preschool Teacher Assistant (All Locations)

YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

The Preschool Teacher Assistant works cooperatively with the Preschool Lead Teacher to plan and conduct learning experiences and activities, and assists with the day-to-day management of an assigned classroom. Under the supervision of the Center Director, the assistant helps maintain a safe, clean, organized, and developmentally appropriate environment for children. The role includes supporting children's learning and development, communicating with families and the teacher, and participating in required meetings, training, professional development, and continuing education.

Requirements

CDA in preschool, or enrollment in a degree program that will be completed within two years of hire.
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 background check, including 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 interest areas in collaboration with the teacher.
Maintain a clean, healthy, safe, and orderly classroom environment indoors and outdoors, with materials readily accessible to children.
Provide constant supervision of children during all indoor and outdoor activities.
Observe children's physical conditions and refer concerns or suspected problems to the teacher.
Observe and assess children in each developmental area using the designated screening and ongoing assessment process, and provide input on children's progress.
Prepare lesson plans, materials, and classroom environments in advance with the teacher; ensure they are organized, interactive, appropriate, clean, safe, and hands-on.
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, and display children's work at their eye level.
Conduct individual, small-group, and large-group activities, present concepts in sequence, and participate in a balanced program of open learning and structured activities.
Communicate supply needs to the teacher and use community resources and field trips to enrich classroom learning.
Make home visits and conduct parent-teacher conferences during the school year.
Establish age-appropriate classroom rules with teachers and maintain order using positive behavior-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, aesthetics, and sanitation guidelines.
Follow mandatory reporting procedures for suspected abuse, unsafe conditions, repair needs, complaints, accidents, and injuries.