Teacher Aide or Teacher I

ECS4KIDS•Leesburg, FL

4d•$17 - $19

About The Position

The Teacher I provides a warm, nurturing, stimulating, safe, and supportive environment where each child can develop language, cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills. The position supports developmentally appropriate, culturally sensitive early childhood education and implements approved curricula and daily lesson plans. The role includes engaging children in learning and play, observing and documenting their progress, individualizing support, and maintaining a balanced routine with both indoor and outdoor activities. The Teacher I also supports children’s health, safety, and nutrition; builds positive relationships with families; collaborates with classroom staff and an in-class coach; and maintains records and confidentiality. The position works in indoor classroom and outdoor playground settings, requires constant visual supervision of children, and includes tolerance of loud noise and substantial physical work.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
DCF 45-hour training.
National CDA credential or a state-awarded certificate that meets or exceeds CDA requirements.
Competency in nurturing teacher-child interactions, planning and implementing learning experiences, implementing curriculum, using assessment, and promoting children’s progress under the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five and applicable state standards, including for children with disabilities and dual language learners as appropriate.
Ability to provide a supportive and caring environment for children and maintain appropriate classroom discipline.
Ability and willingness to implement the approved curriculum.
Good judgment and emotional maturity.
Ability to build collaborative relationships and work effectively with diverse staff and families.
Proper grammar and communication skills, including effective oral and written communication.
Knowledge of applicable safety and abuse-reporting procedures.
Ability to maintain confidential information, plan and organize work, and maintain records.
Willingness to learn and continue personal education.
Complete TB screening and physical before having direct contact with children and renew every two years.
Complete the online Food Handlers Course Serving Safe Food in Childcare within 90 days of employment.
Current First Aid and Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training.
Complete at least 25 hours of in-service training annually, July 1 through June 30.
Acceptable eyesight and hearing, with or without correction.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
Ability to perform heavy physical work, including lifting, pushing, or pulling objects up to 50 pounds; physical work is more than 70% of the job.
Pass Level II background screening, including local, state, and federal criminal checks.

Responsibilities

Assist in implementing a culturally sensitive educational program appropriate to each child’s age and language.
Follow the approved daily schedule and implement approved curriculum lesson plans faithfully.
Use teaching strategies aligned with CLASS Emotional Support, Classroom Organization, and Instructional Support.
Assist the classroom Teacher by co-facilitating Groups A and B and keeping children engaged during learning activities.
Interact purposefully with children, extend play and learning, and rotate through learning centers during center play.
Enter daily child observation data in TS Gold and individualize support based on children’s observed needs, support plans, and ongoing data analysis.
Implement a balanced routine that includes play, exploration, learning, teacher-directed and child-directed activities, and indoor and outdoor time.
Help maintain a developmentally appropriate and stimulating learning environment, including adding new materials each week.
Use positive guidance and uphold the ECS Discipline policy while developing nurturing relationships that support children’s social and emotional development.
Maintain applicable federal, state, local, and accreditation standards, including standards that may be set by NAEYC, APPLE, ECS, DCF, and Head Start.
Participate in research initiatives related to early childhood education, development, and related topics.
Conduct daily health checks and follow procedures for medical and dental emergencies, short-term exclusion, and medication handling and administration.
Follow safe practices to prevent injuries and maintain sanitation and hygiene procedures; participate in center maintenance.
Communicate effectively with families, attend assigned parent meetings, encourage parent involvement, and share information about children’s progress through appropriate formal and informal means.
Maintain transition procedures for children changing classrooms or programs and coordinate transitions with appropriate staff.
Eat with children, encourage proper eating habits and conversation, serve food in ways that support children’s development and socialization, and assist with kitchen duties as assigned.
Communicate and collaborate with staff, attend meetings and trainings, share information, and work attentively with an in-class coach.
Follow directions and assignments from the classroom Teacher and supervisor, maintain appropriate records, and preserve confidentiality.
Perform other related duties as required.