Teacher Assistant

Full Time Chicago, IL, US

2 days ago Requisition

Salary: $47,000.00 Annually

Casa Central’s Early Learning Academy provides high quality, comprehensive early childhood education services for young children, ages birth to five, and their families. The Teacher Assistant helps provide provides effective instructional strategies, classroom management, learning, and assessment, for children ages 3-5 years old. The Assistant Teacher provides developmentally appropriate learning experiences, supervision of children assigned in the classroom, and a supportive and positive classroom climate, while ensuring the individual needs of the children are met as mandated by Head Start, COA, federal, state and local standards.

The Assistant Teacher works in collaboration with the Lead Teacher, parents/families, and other professionals to ensure that children are ready for success in kindergarten and beyond.

Include the following, other duties as assigned:

• Assist teacher in lesson planning, classroom studies and related learning activities, interest areas, reading and math literacy activities, and planning and executing individualized approaches for children with disabilities.

Child Screening & Observation

• In collaboration with the teaching team, conduct developmental and social emotional screenings.
• Document observations on child development and progress across a variety of developmental domains.

Participant Service Delivery

• Assist in creating an atmosphere in which children can learn and develop across multiple domains.
• Establish rapport and respectful relationships with the parents and caretakers of children in the classroom.
• Conduct learning activities, including storytelling and dictation, oral reading, arts and crafts.
• Work with the teaching team in room set-up, classroom activities, naptime and meals.
• Encourage children to assist in set-up and clean-up, interest areas, activities and meals.
• Assist in moving children through the daily routine and activities.
• Prepare and distribute classroom materials.
• In the absence of the teacher, lead the daily routine, supervising the other teaching team members, attending home visits with Family Development Specialists, and conducting Parent-Teacher conferences.
• Update parents on progress and events at the end of the day, including Accident and Incident Reports.
• Maintain clean, organized classrooms.

Administrative Tasks

• Approve time sheets and ensure compliance with agency and funder guidelines, ensuring that daily activities are within the allowable activities approved by the agency.
• Complete documentation including meal attendance on a daily basis, weekly observations on assigned children, updating portfolios of children, writing accident/incident reports and reporting to parents.

Performance & Quality Management

• Nurture positive and collaborative working relationships with other agency staff and outside stakeholders and partners.
• Implement the agency mission, philosophy, and core values to direct daily work and decision-making; adhere to agency policy.
• Cultivate a professional and respectful work environment.
• Be actively involved with, and knowledgeable about, the agency’s Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) structure and process.

Program-Specific Activities

• Ensure compliance with all Early/Head Start Program Performance Standards, including as interpreted by Start Early, as well as with relevant federal, state, city, and accrediting/licensing body regulations and requirements.
• Engage in Active Supervision strategies to support the safety, wellbeing, and appropriate supervision/oversight of children at all times.
• Act in accordance with the program’s Standards of Conduct, building respectful relationships with families, honoring…