Teacher Assistant

Overview

EMBRACING ABILITIES. EXPANDING POSSIBILITIES. At Easterseals of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford, we are committed to two – often interconnecting – pillars of work: early learning and disability. We transform the lives of early learners and individuals of all abilities through access to expert educational, family, and community support. As an affiliate of America’s largest nonprofit healthcare organization, we have proudly served the communities and families of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford since 1936.

For more information about our organization, please visit us online tersealschicago.org.

• Implement program objectives as part of a teaching team and provide support to the Master Teachers with all classroom activities.
• Implement curriculum, supervise children, communicate with parents, and maintain a healthy and safe environment for children.
• Work as part of the classroom team to support the full inclusion of children with identified and suspected disabilities.
• Prepare lesson plans, complete observations, and assess children in collaboration with the classroom team.
• Follow through with activities and materials aligned with the children’s IEP goals throughout the school day.
• Collect behavior data as requested for children with identified concerns.
• Adhere to teacher/clinical/administrative recommendations regarding curriculum and programming.
• Maintain consistent communication with children’s families/guardians in conjunction with the classroom teacher.
• Participate in all scheduled team meetings pertaining to the classroom and assist in planning field trips.
• Assume responsibility for one group of children engaged in a specific activity and supervise/free play times; assist with cleanup.
• Prepare the room for activities in the morning and after nap time; participate in all in-house trainings and parent meetings.
• All other duties as assigned.

• Education/Certification: An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education (ECE) is required for some positions and preferred for all. A minimum of 30 college semester credits overall with at least 15 credits in ECE, and an infant-toddler CDA (Child Development Associate). An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in another field requires a minimum of 30 college semester credits in ECE.
• Experience
  
  Required:
  
  A minimum of 1 year experience in an Early Head Start, Prevention Initiative, or NAECY-accredited 0-3 classroom is a plus.
• Skills/Abilities: Bilingual skills may be required or preferred based on program needs. Ability to create a classroom atmosphere that supports physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and creative development. Ability to work well with staff, families, other agencies, and funding source personnel. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Well-organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple projects. Proficient computer skills.

ADA:
Easterseals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. All persons hired for this position are required to possess the ability to perform the physical tasks necessary to treat clients, including bending and lifting up to 50 pounds frequently.

Salary: $19.12 - $27.42 per hour.