Teacher Assistant

Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative•Lincoln, NE

About The Position

Educare Lincoln is a collaborative partnership of Lincoln Public Schools, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Early Head Start, and the Buffett Early Childhood Fund. Its mission is to help young children thrive socially, emotionally, and academically through high-quality early childhood education in partnership with families and the community. Educare Lincoln serves children from 6 weeks to 5 years old through Early Head Start and preschool programs that support school readiness and social and cognitive development. The Teacher Assistant works cooperatively with the Lead Teacher to plan and implement the daily education program. The role helps ensure that the program is developmentally appropriate, meets children’s individual needs, and complies with applicable Educare of Lincoln, Sixpence, Nebraska Department of Education, and Early Head Start standards. When the Lead Teacher is absent, the Teacher Assistant is responsible for classroom management.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Child Development Associate (CDA) required within the first year of hire.
Pass a background check that meets compliance standards.
Knowledge of early childhood education curriculum, principles, and best practices.
Willingness to participate in Educare’s ongoing review and application of findings from local and national evaluations to program design.
Knowledge of state childcare licensing requirements.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage time and multiple priorities.
Ability to work cooperatively and supportively within a multidisciplinary team.
Ability to establish supportive relationships with staff and families from diverse backgrounds.
Effective verbal and written communication that demonstrates and fosters cooperation, respect, concern, and openness to change.
Ability to physically interact with children, including walking or running quickly, kneeling or sitting on the floor, bending and lifting, and walking over rough or uneven ground indoors or outdoors.
Ability to lift, carry, and move classroom equipment, supplies, bulky objects, or children weighing up to 50 pounds.
Ability to maintain boundaries and perform duties ethically and professionally.
Comply with confidentiality regulations.
Ability to obtain First Aid and CPR certification.
Ability to operate a computer and office equipment, including a telephone, fax machine, and copier.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, or 12 credit hours of Early Childhood Education college courses or certified Early Childhood Education training.
Two or more years of experience working in an Early Childhood Center.

Responsibilities

Observe, assess, and document each assigned child’s health, skills, behavior, growth, and development.
Provide opportunities for children to develop positive self-images and experience success.
Foster positive relationships with all children in the classroom.
Maintain an attractive and stimulating learning environment and encourage children’s independence and self-selection of activities.
Ensure that all children are under appropriate supervision and guidance at all times.
Maintain a clean, safe, and healthy classroom environment.
Assist with timely completion of necessary paperwork, including CACFP documentation, developmental assessments, and incident reports.
Assist in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate classroom activities that enhance each child’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.
Assist in developing lesson plans with goals, objectives, activities, and outcomes for children, and participate in implementing them intentionally.
Develop effective relationships with parents through regular informal conversations.
Participate in home visits with each child’s family twice per school year.
Encourage parent participation in program activities and in implementing education activities for their children at home.
Participate in reflective supervision with the primary supervisor.
Take responsibility for classroom management in the absence of the Lead Teacher.
Perform other duties as assigned.