CDC Assistant Teacher

Job Summary: The Assistant Teacher assists with the implementation of daily routines and activities with children, under the supervision of the Team Leader and the direction of the Senior Childhood Teacher.

The Assistant Teacher position is a flexible role. Assistant Teachers may be assigned to one classroom, a team of classrooms, or may function as a substitute, depending on the needs of the center.

• Maintains confidentiality about issues regarding staff, children and families at St. Joseph Children's Home, Board of Directors, and/or Center operations.
• In cooperation with the Team Leader, completes an annual self-assessment using the ITERS/ECERS, meets with team leader and the coaches to review the self-assessment and sets achievable goals for the year based on the results of the self-assessment.
• Knows the whereabouts and number of children in care, keeping all children within sight and sound supervision at all times.
• If not familiar with an adult who is picking up a child, check photo ID and ensure that all adults picking up children are on the list of approved escorts in the CDC database.
• Completes Name-to-Face attendance checks multiple times daily as per policy and procedure.
• Assists with maintaining a classroom environment that is clean, tidy, and promotes age-appropriate physical and emotional comfort and educational development of all children in care.

• In the absence of the Senior Teacher, the Assistant Teacher follows the lesson plans provided by the Teacher .

• Limits the use of screen time in the classroom as directed by the Senior Teacher / Team Leader.

• Engages in age-appropriate play with children.
• Provides positive guidance, direction, and encouragement for each child using principals of Positive Discipline
• Monitors the development of children in care. Documents any behavior and/or developmental concerns for individual children in their assigned classrooms and reports behavior and development concerns to the Senior Teacher and/or Team Lead for next steps.
• Greets children and families upon arrival and departure.
• Promotes a trusting relationship between children, parents, and staff.
• Ensures that all pertinent information regarding a child's day, including important paperwork, is passed on to the responsible staff member if the Senior Teacher or Assistant Teacher will not be present at pick-up.
• Completes an incident report for any illness, injury and incident and notifies the Team Leader. With guidance from the Team Leader or Teacher, the Assistant may be asked to share information about an incident report with a child's family as applicable.
• Keeps the Team Leader and Senior Teacher informed of any problems concerning children, staff, or families.
• Informs Team Leader and Senior Teacher of any urgent matters, including but not limited to serious illness or injury to a child, staff or family requiring medical attention, staff misconduct potentially requiring disciplinary action, or licensing violations that put the health and safety of children and staff at risk.
• Assists the Senior Teacher with maintaining assigned classroom consistent with the vision for a unified, clean, Reggio-inspired environment throughout the Center.
• Utilizes Center materials and supplies in a manner that is responsible, purposeful, safe and engaging for children.
• Returns materials to their proper location for storage when not in use. Ensures that materials have been cleaned and sanitized prior to storage is if applicable.
• Seeks the assistance of a Team Leader or Curriculum Coach for any questions related to materials use or storage.
• Requests needed supplies from Team Leader at least 1 week prior to the date materials are planned to be utilized.
• Serves meals and snacks to children in compliance with CACFP guidelines and KY childcare regulations. Cleans up after meals (including but not limited to cleaning and sanitizing tables, chairs and floors).
• Is aware of all children's allergies and/or medical alerts in assigned classrooms.
• Communicate with Senior Teacher and Team Lead any changes in allergies and/or medical alerts for individual children.
• Reads and responds to all electronic communications from CDC leadership in a timely manner, including but not limited to checking email at least once weekly and responding to the Director's weekly email.
• Assists with implementation of at least one CDC family event per school year.
• Assistant Teachers are encouraged to work a 4 hour shift in the CDC area at the SJCH Annual Picnic in addition to attending a family event.
• Obtains all required staff development and training.

• Attends all CDC department meetings and contributes to the decision-making process at meetings.

• Safely evacuates all children from the building in case of emergency and during emergency drills. Completed a NAME TO FACE count prior to, during, and after any drill or evacuation that involves moving children from one place to another, as per Name to Face policy and procedure.

• All Assistants Teachers are expected to be flexible in regard to their daily classroom placement. For the consistency of care for children, Assistant Teachers are placed in their regularly assigned classrooms and/or roles whenever possible. However, at the discretion of the Director, Assistant Director, or their designee, an Assistant Teacher may be temporarily assigned to a different classroom or role within the CDC if needed to maintain state ratios, meet specific staffing needs for the day, or to otherwise meet an agency need.
• Reports any urgent building maintenance, repairs, or custodial upkeep to the Team Leader.
• Keeps the classroom and all shared spaces within the center clean, safe and free of clutter.
• Other duties as assigned.

• CULTURAL SENSITIVITY
• Appreciates differences between others in thought as well as style and shows respect for their ideas.
• Demonstrates responsiveness to the racial, ethnic, and cultural needs of individuals while maintaining respect for those differences.
• EMPOWERMENT
• AS APPROPRIATE TO ROLE: Recognizes and works to eliminate situations that may lead to re-traumatization; Understands and allows for mutual self-help to occur among trauma survivors by utilizing their lived experience to promote recovery and healing.
• JOB KNOWLEDGE (Essential Functions)
• Has a clear understanding of the position.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the necessary common and technical knowledge areas required for the position.
• MODELING
• AS APPROPRIATE TO ROLE: Uses appropriate voice, is aware of development levels of clients served, encourages independence and self-help, and reinforces positive behavior.
• For those who provide direct care to clients, has the ability to anticipate problems, redirect behavior using positive practices, handle transitions well and develop goals for observation.
• PEER SUPPORT & COLLABORATION
• Communicates and interacts well with others among teams, across departments, and/or with clients to ensure a respectful, and inclusive service/work environment.
• Encourages and supports skill development of colleagues and/or direct reports, clients and/or families, and external stakeholders.
• Builds/maintains trust and exhibits healthy boundaries with colleagues and/or direct reports, clients and/or families, and external stakeholders.
• PROFESSIONALISM
• Is visible with a positive presence, ethical, and highly professional.
• Expresses accountability for actions.
• Shows respect towards others, serves as an appropriate role model during interactions and while performing job responsibilities, and is responsive to the needs of others.
• QUALITY OF WORK
• Reliably completes work according to organization standards.
• Exhibits strong judgment and problem-solving skills.
• SAFETY

• Creates and maintains a safe, welcoming, physical and service environment.

• TIME MANAGEMENT

• Is consistently at work, on time, and conforms to scheduled work hours.
• Possesses the ability to effectively manage projects, timelines, and team goals without constant oversight.

• High school diploma (or equivalent) required
• Experience working with children ages 0-5 preferred but not required.

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Sitting at a desk for up to 8 hours

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Office Environment

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Entering data / keystroke

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Driving

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Standing for up to 8 hours

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Reaching above shoulder level

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Walking

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Bending

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Lifting/Carrying 50 max lbs

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Pushing / Pulling 50 max lbs.

Using feet for repetitve action

Using hands for repetitive action