Substitute Preschool Teacher Assistant - School for Young Childr

University of Saint Joseph•West Hartford, CT

7d•$17 - $19

About The Position

The Substitute Preschool Teacher Assistant supports the classroom teacher with all aspects of classroom routines. The assistant collaborates on developmentally appropriate curriculum and lesson planning, helps prepare and maintain educational materials, contributes assessment observations and documentation, and assists with family-teacher conferences. The role supports the School for Young Children’s NAEYC accreditation and classroom portfolio, welcomes and communicates with families, and helps foster college students’ professional development. The assistant acts as the teacher when the teacher is absent and participates in ongoing professional development. The role follows University of Saint Joseph and School for Young Children policies and procedures, completes required paperwork, monitors institutional communications, and provides courteous, efficient customer service. Decisions are deferred to the Teacher, Director, or Assistant Director. The anticipated hourly starting rate depends on the highest degree achieved: $17.00 for an associate degree, $18.00 for a bachelor’s degree, and $19.00 for a master’s degree.

Requirements

Associate degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
2–3 years working in an early childhood education program.
Demonstrated ability to work in an active school environment.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with fellow teachers.
Positive organizational, interpersonal, and customer service skills.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, customer-service environment with patience, flexibility, and attention to detail.
Demonstrated computer literacy skills.
Ability to recognize and appropriately handle confidential matters.
Professional and courteous demeanor and appearance; ability to work professionally with students, faculty, staff, administration, and the public.
Commitment to the mission of the University of Saint Joseph.
Physical ability to perform essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a model laboratory school.

Responsibilities

Assist the teacher with all aspects of classroom routines.
Collaborate with the teacher to design and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum guided by the SYC curriculum document, CT ELDS, and NAEYC accreditation standards.
Help set up the classroom and maintain educational materials that engage children.
Support modifications to curriculum and lesson plans to meet learning-environment needs and guide short- and long-term learning goals.
Share assessment observations and CT DOTS documentation with the teacher; help gather narratives, work samples, and photos.
Support the teacher during family-teacher conferences.
Participate in activities supporting NAEYC reaccreditation and help maintain the classroom portfolio, reviewing it at least monthly for updates.
Welcome families daily and support communication about children’s activities and progress.
Attend school family events, including picnics and fundraisers, to support a welcoming environment.
Support college students’ professional development through modeling and supportive interactions.
Act as the teacher in the teacher’s absence.
Attend staff meetings, workshops, courses, and other professional development activities.
Follow USJ and SYC policies and procedures, submit paperwork on time, and monitor USJ email and alert-system communications.
Handle customer needs quickly, efficiently, enthusiastically, and courteously.
Defer decisions to the Teacher, Director, or Assistant Director.