Teacher Assistant - Temporary

Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington•Yakima, WA

7d•$17 - $18•Onsite

About The Position

The Teacher Assistant position is responsible for supporting the Lead Teacher with the overall care and planning for the classroom and individual children, including the learning environment and volunteers. The Teacher Assistant under the direction of the Lead Teacher, provides and implements a developmentally and culturally appropriate early childhood experience for children.

Requirements

ECE Certificate or Professional Development Plan
2 or more years’ experience in an Early Childhood program
Demonstrate professional and effective verbal and written communication
Use of good judgment
Basic computer skills
Supervision of adults, classroom planning and management skills
Maintain confidentiality of children, families, and staff
Valid First Aid and CPR
Valid Food Handlers Card
Being cleared by criminal background check and fingerprinting
This position normally requires the physical demands of standing, walking, bending, lifting up to 50lbs or performing other work requiring medium physical exertion, talking and hearing and adequate vision on a regular basis to perform the job requirements. These physical demands are required up to 95% of the time.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred, but not required

Responsibilities

Under the guidance and direction from the Lead Teacher, implement activities and experiences supporting children’s health, education, and social emotional development.
Establish a learning environment according to the Creative Curriculum and Early Achiever quality standards, and ECEAP if applicable
Implement the Second Steps Personal Safety Curriculum in preschool classrooms
Provide activities and opportunities that encourage and individualized approach to the developmental level and learning style of each child.
Under the guidance and direction of the Lead Teacher, foster a positive emotional climate in the classroom based on licensing standards.
Provide guidance and support through positive interactions between children and adults
Maintain an atmosphere that encourages open communication with children and adults through back and forth conversations, warm, nurturing tones, and being down at the child’s level.
Provide opportunities and support for children to understand, acquire and use verbal and non-verbal means of communicating thoughts and feelings
Under the guidance and direction of the Lead teacher, create a partnership with families that encourages engagement according to ECEAP and/or Early Achiever quality standards.
Communicate with parents on a daily basis by greeting them and discussing, as needed, events of the children's day.
Communicate with parents regarding classroom to classroom transitions, as applicable.
Maintain an accurate and up to date timesheet by clocking in and out on a consistent basis.
Schedule a sub when planning for time off.
Under the guidance of the Lead Teacher, create and maintain a safe and healthy environment
Maintain inventory and upkeep of classroom supplies and materials
Report needed repairs and maintenance to the Early Learning Site Supervisor
Provide a safe, developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor learning environment through use of the Safety and Sanitation Checklist
Apply health standards and care for the children and classroom according to licensing, Early Achiever, and ECEAP standards
Participate in required training according to ECEAP and/or licensing regulations.
Participate in scheduled supervision meetings, lead teacher meetings, teacher learning groups and other assigned meetings as required
Participate in Center activities and other duties as requested

Benefits

7 paid holidays
1 paid Personal Day
15 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year
Health insurance including medical & prescription coverage, with optional dental and vision insurance plans. Majority of premiums paid by Catholic Charities
Retirement 403(b) Plan: employee contributions commence upon employment; Catholic Charities contributes 2% of monthly income and matches up to 4% of employee contributions following 6 months of employment
Basic Life Insurance paid 100% by Catholic Charities
Flexible Spending Account eligibility following 6 months of employment
Education Assistance Program reimbursing up to $5,250 per year for approved continuing education after 6 months of employment
Additional voluntary insurances including supplemental life, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D), critical illness, long term disability, accident, and ID theft
Employee Assistance Program includes 3 counseling sessions per year, legal consultations, financial coaching, and other wellbeing tools
Annual longevity awards begin at 5 years of employment