Teacher Assistant Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• High school diploma.
• Working knowledge of young children’s growth and development and the ability to apply that knowledge in the classroom.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, including oral, reading, and writing skills.
• Creative problem-solving ability and a can-do attitude.
• Ability to be flexible, multitask, and prioritize workload.
• Ability to work independently in the classroom and collaboratively with classroom teams, age-level teams, the Leadership Team, and specialists.
• Ability to meet Maryland State Department of Education requirements for employment in a preschool setting, complete mandated coursework, and fulfill ongoing continuing education requirements as required by MSDE, MD EXCELS, and credentialing.
• Ability to work and explore both indoors and outdoors in varied weather conditions.
• Ability to maintain required First Aid, CPR, MSDE Basic Health and Safety, and MSDE COVID certifications.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including occasionally lifting, pushing, or pulling up to 50 pounds; sitting or standing for extended periods; moving between floor and standing positions; walking extended distances on varied surfaces; and rapidly walking or running in an emergency.
• Ability to complete a full shift five days per week, except when temporarily ill or taking pre-approved time away.
• Ability to maintain focus and carry tasks through completion in a fast-paced, noisy, and interactive environment.
• Ability to communicate professionally, listen for clarification, and protect confidential information about children and families.

Nice To Haves

• A 90-hour certification, Child Development Associate (CDA), associate degree, or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, education, child development, or a related field.
• Experience working in early childhood or elementary education, particularly in a constructivist, child-centered setting.
• Basic Judaic knowledge, including holidays, culture, traditions, and values, and the ability to integrate it into lessons and experiences, or willingness to learn.
• Interest in completing the credentialing process and continuing education in early childhood education.

Responsibilities

• Provide active supervision and maintain a safe environment, including staying in required ratios and keeping children in sight and sound.
• Observe children’s play and development, reflect on their learning, and respond to emerging interests and themes.
• Support the Lead Teacher with documentation of children’s learning, including reflections, journey binders, blogs, newsletters, and other school materials.
• Adapt activities and experiences to meet individual children’s differences and needs.
• Create opportunities for social interaction, physical activity, creative expression, and Jewish experiences indoors and outdoors.
• Encourage children’s independence and learning by asking questions that promote reasoning, conversation, and inquiry.
• Collaborate with the teaching team on classroom management, daily routines, group dynamics, and conflict resolution.
• Use positive guidance and modeling to help children communicate effectively and develop social skills.
• Support children’s physical, spiritual, emotional, social, cognitive, and literary development.
• Work with the teaching team to address required state content areas and developmental domains, including social-emotional learning, language and literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, physical well-being, Jewish studies, motor development, and fine arts.
• Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and engaging classroom environment and care for classroom equipment and materials.
• Welcome children and families at arrival and communicate with families at pick-up; use a note or phone call when a topic requires more time or privacy.
• Read and maintain children’s files, work samples, anecdotal notes, and other documentation.
• Support the Lead Teacher with attendance, sign-in and sign-out, name-to-face recognition, accident and incident records, milk and sunscreen records, ID checks, meal records, and diaper records as applicable.
• Participate with classroom teams in completing conference forms and conducting at least one family conference per year.
• Check classroom materials, equipment, and supplies for adequacy and condition; take preventative measures against safety hazards.
• Build professional, courteous relationships with families and colleagues, and treat children, coworkers, and families with dignity, respect, and compassion.
• Share observations with the Lead Teacher about children’s interests, strengths, successes, and challenges.
• Provide constructive input toward engaging and developmentally appropriate school-wide events.
• Attend and participate in professional development, workshops, courses, meetings, and evaluation processes; reflect on professional growth.
• Maintain professional communication, collaborate with faculty members, and contribute to a Chavruta (learning community).
• Work agreed-upon days and hours, arrive prepared and on time, manage time efficiently, and request leave in advance according to policy.
• Follow school and agency policies, the staff manual, the school’s vision, the JCC mission, MSDE licensing safety requirements, and the NAEYC Code of Ethics, including confidentiality requirements.
• Maintain required First Aid, CPR, MSDE Basic Health and Safety, and MSDE COVID certifications, and complete annual professional development requirements.
• Perform additional program duties as assigned by the director.

Benefits

• Generous time off.
• Paid holidays.
• Health insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• 401(k) employer match.
• FSA/HSA options.
• Life insurance.
• Long-term disability coverage.
• Complimentary Jewish Community Center membership.
• Discounts on programs, including preschool and summer camp.
• Wellbeing programming.