Teacher Assistant (Chicago Lawn Site)

Reports to Site Manager

MISSION:

Gads Hill Center, a social service organization established in 1898, creates opportunities for children and their families to build a better life through education, access to resources and community engagement.

JOB SUMMARY:

The teacher assistant in Gads Hill Center’s center-based early childhood program is responsible for delivering comprehensive early childhood education services to children in a safe, nurturing environment. In this position, teachers are expected to collaborate effectively with their teaching team to provide a seamless education experience for children. This position is responsible for planning and implementing structured educational activities based on program curriculum. At all times, teachers must ensure adherence with licensing standards and funder requirements.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Collaborates with teaching team to provide a classroom environment that is reflective of diverse races, cultures and languages; adapt teaching in response to children’s differences.
2. Prepares attendance records, lesson plans, meal preparation sheets, child development files, anecdotal and developmental observations on each child, maintaining confidentiality of family records and information.
3. Documents children’s growth and development using written observations, photography and assessment tools.
4. Utilizes developmental screening tools to determine individual needs of children and assists in individualizing curriculum.
5. Meets with classroom team weekly to complete lesson plans, reporting requirements, and discuss individual children‘s needs. Brings up these observations/needs/concerns in weekly staffing meetings.  Attends staff meetings, in-service trainings, and other appropriate child development conferences and workshops.
6. Participates with the classroom team in planning preparing and implementing developmentally appropriate child initiated and teacher directed activities for individuals and small/large groups of children. These activities should address needs identified in assessments of children and promote multiculturalism, present challenges and develop critical thinking skills.
7. Assists center personnel in planning field trips and other enrichment activities.
8. Welcomes parents into the classroom, develops a positive relationship with them and provides experiences and activities that enhance their roles as the primary influence in their child’s growth and development. Assists parents in identifying and fully utilizing available community resources.  Utilize the assistance of the Family Support Staff, Mental Health Consultants, and other professionals to refer parents as needed.
9. Encourages parents to become involved in the classroom, as well as the Parent Committee and Policy Committee.
10. Schedules, conducts and participates in home visits twice per year at designated time.
11. Demonstrates knowledge of DCFS, Head Start and Preschool for All standards and implements them in all aspects of work.
12. Understands and adheres to NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and Code of Ethics.
13. Conducts child health checks, documents findings and follows-up as needed.
14. Participates in annual parent orientation/open house and at least two parent meetings each year.
15. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds (average child’s weight).       

In addition to the responsibilities listed above, all Gads Hill Center employees are responsible for the following:

1. Participate in agency outreach and recruitment events, including evenings and weekends.
2. Participates in supervision meetings and workshops within the agency and outside (if applicable).
3. Participates in civic engagement activities that advance the mission of Gads Hill Center.
4. Advance parent leadership development.
5. Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education required. Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education preferred.
2. One (1) year previous direct early childhood classroom experience with low-income families.
3. Experience with multi-cultural programming preferred.
4. Bi-lingual Spanish/English preferred.
5. Excellent interpersonal communication and organization skills.
6. Ability to pass a criminal record and child abuse/neglect registry check.
7. A passion for the mission of Gads Hill Center.

POSITION DETAILS:

            Entry Salary Range: $27,000

            Schedule: Full time

            Status: Salary

            Location: 3137 W. 71^st St, Chicago, IL 60629

APPLICATION DIRECTIONS:

            To apply, send resume, cover letter and transcripts by e-mail to:

           Revised:  06/2014