Associate Teacher

Summary
Works cooperatively with the lead teacher to promote academic, social-emotional growth and development of all children in their care, which may include infants, toddlers and/or preschool age children, developing partnerships with parents/caregivers to engage and encourage participation in program, and assuring compliance with licensing and other contracting agencies.

Supervisory Responsibilities
None

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Creates weekly lesson plans, to assure they are meeting the fidelity requirements of the curriculum and are individualized appropriately
Works with the Lead Teacher to provide updates for IFSPs and IEPs to be included in the review process
Attend IEF and IFSP meetings when needed
Responsible for recording and maintaining a child portfolio to include information required to document the growth and development of children
Provides a developmentally appropriate classroom environment that reflects active learning and growth
Performs on-going developmental assessments
Completes daily health checks regarding the overall well-being of the children
Evaluates and improves the physical environment in the classroom to create opportunities to meet the changing needs of the developing child
Provides responsive care to all children by adapting daily care giving routines and plans to the interests and needs of the individual child and small groups
Works with the families to encourages on-going family participation
Conducts home visits when needed
Demonstrates cultural competency and respect for each child’s background by incorporating linguistic and familial values and beliefs into the childcare program and lesson plans
Conducts on-going parent conferences and assists families with children’s transitions from infant to toddler to preschool to kindergarten
Participates in team meetings
Participates is multidisciplinary meetings as needed for families
Participates in on-going professional development opportunities
Maintains at a minimum of 10 clock hours of annual training (July through June)
Ability to establish cooperative working relationships with residents, colleagues and volunteers
Attends all required staff and parent meetings and activities
Attends all required training opportunities as provided by the childcare center
Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing
All other duties as assigned

Education and/or Experience
Child Development Associate (for the age group assigned) OR
The equivalency to a CDA with an associates or bachelor’s degree in any discipline with at least 12 credit hours in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, or early childhood special education.

Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education OR
The equivalency to an early childhood associate degree defined as an associate’s degree in any discipline with at least 30 hours in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, or early childhood special education

2 years of experience as an early childhood teacher or similar position in an early education setting
Knowledge of State and local regulations as relate to early childhood centers
Knowledge of and experience working with a diverse, at-risk children, and their families
Knowledge in developmentally appropriate practices for birth to five, brain development and its impact on early learning, and creating an inclusive classroom for all abilities.
Current Pediatric CPR and First Aid certified
Excellent customer service skills
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment
Ability to pass a Level II Criminal Background Screening (includes Child Abuse Registry and Sexual Offender Registry checks) and drug screening

Preferred Skills and Qualifications
DCF Staff Credential and the 45 Hours required by Child Care Licensing
Knowledge of CLASS observation tool
Operational knowledge of The Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. § 552a and responsibility to maintain confidentiality
PC compatible computer knowledge; proficient in MS Word, Internet e-mail, Internet usage

Other Functions
The duties above are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform some or all of the activities described above.

Resident, Guest and Internal Customer Focus
The Associate Teacher is sensitive to emotional, spiritual and practical needs of resident, families, guests and staff members in all interactions. Provides positive feedback and comments about the quality of work and effort that have been offered by residents, families and coworkers. Adjusts priorities and schedules to meet specific customer needs. Reports and/or corrects problems related to safety, cleanliness and comfort of resident and work areas. Universal Precautions and Infection Control techniques are followed. Understands own role facility safety plans and procedures related to fire, weather and other disasters is demonstrated. Always strives to ensure best possible outcome for each resident.

Physical/Mental Demands and Working Conditions
Be able to walk, squat/kneel, sit on floor to ensure children’s health and safety
Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds and in case of emergency a 40-pound child