Teacher Assistant

Casa Central•Chicago, IL

17d•$0 - $47,000•Onsite

About The Position

Casa Central’s Early Learning Academy provides comprehensive early childhood education services for children from birth to age five and their families. The Teacher Assistant supports effective instruction, classroom management, learning, and assessment for children ages 3–5. The role provides developmentally appropriate learning experiences, supervises assigned children, supports a positive classroom climate, and helps meet each child’s individual needs in accordance with Head Start, COA, and applicable federal, state, and local standards. The Teacher Assistant collaborates with the Lead Teacher, families, and other professionals to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond. The position supports lesson planning and classroom learning activities, developmental and social-emotional screening, observation and documentation of children’s progress, daily classroom routines, family communication, recordkeeping, and program compliance. When the teacher is absent, the assistant may lead the daily routine, supervise other teaching team members, attend home visits with Family Development Specialists, and conduct parent-teacher conferences. The role also supports recruitment, professional development, quality improvement, and positive working relationships with colleagues and community partners. This position is not eligible for remote work. The work environment is usually moderately noisy. Employees are regularly required to sit, talk, and hear; frequently use their hands; and must be able to lift and carry up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Requirements

Teacher Assistant 1: Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education and a Gateways Level 4 Early Childhood Education Credential or higher.
Teacher Assistant 2: Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education and a Gateways Level 4 Early Childhood Education Credential or higher.
Familiarity with computers; programs may vary.
Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate clearly and effectively and work with people of diverse backgrounds and personalities.
Tact, maturity, flexibility, sound reasoning, and good judgment.
Basic mathematical skills.
Ability to work cooperatively and supportively within an interdisciplinary team.
Ability to establish relationships with families from diverse backgrounds.
Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards.
Sensitivity to cultural diversity.
Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
Must undergo pre-employment screening, including medical, lift, and drug and alcohol screening, as well as aptitude and skills testing where applicable.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual Spanish skills are preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist the teacher with lesson planning, classroom studies, learning activities, interest areas, literacy activities, and individualized approaches for children with disabilities.
Collaborate with the teaching team to conduct developmental and social-emotional screenings.
Document observations of children’s development and progress across developmental domains.
Help create an atmosphere that supports children’s learning and development across multiple domains.
Build respectful relationships with children’s parents and caretakers.
Conduct learning activities such as storytelling, dictation, oral reading, arts, and crafts.
Work with the teaching team on room setup, classroom activities, naptime, and meals.
Encourage children to participate in setup and cleanup, interest areas, activities, and meals.
Supervise children during rest periods and support their movement through daily routines and activities.
Prepare and distribute classroom materials and maintain clean, organized classrooms.
When the teacher is absent, lead the daily routine, supervise other teaching team members, attend home visits with Family Development Specialists, and conduct parent-teacher conferences.
Update parents on children’s progress and events at the end of the day, including through Accident and Incident Reports.
Approve time sheets and ensure compliance with agency and funder guidelines for allowable activities.
Complete daily meal attendance records, weekly observations for assigned children, child portfolio updates, and accident and incident reports; report relevant information to parents.
Build collaborative working relationships with agency staff, stakeholders, and partners; uphold agency values, policies, and a professional, respectful work environment.
Participate in and maintain knowledge of the agency’s Performance Quality Improvement structure and process.
Comply with Early/Head Start Program Performance Standards and applicable federal, state, city, accrediting, and licensing requirements.
Use Active Supervision strategies to support children’s safety, wellbeing, and appropriate oversight at all times.
Follow program Standards of Conduct, build respectful family relationships, honor parents and caregivers as children’s first and most important teachers, and maintain confidentiality.
Maintain early childhood education and child development knowledge through in-service training, continuing education, and other professional development.
Support recruitment efforts to help keep the program fully enrolled year-round.
Use reflective practices to support volunteers, interns, and team members.
Exercise discretion and sound judgment in carrying out tasks.