Pre-K Instructional Assistant

Position Summary

The Early Childhood Assistant collaborates and partners with the Teacher to ensure successful outcomes for children and an effective, safe and nurturing learning environment is sustained in the classroom.

• Assists the lead teacher with all aspects of the classroom in a manner consistent with the philosophy and goals of the center and in accordance to DCFS licensing standards.
• Implements activities that encourage each child’s growth in the areas of emotion, social, cognitive, creative, and physical development.
• Interacts with the children to support play, exploration, and learning, meeting the individual needs of children.
• Assists in behavioral supports to redirect children and foster positive interactions among children and their peers;
  Support and model positive discipline
• Monitors children outside of the classroom during recess and while the teacher is occupied.
• Creates and maintains an environment that is clean and safe for all children and meets licensing requirements.
• Establishes a professional level of rapport with each family to provide quality care for the children.
• Obtains at least 15 hours of high-quality, classroom-focused professional development per year.

What You’ll Need

• High school diploma or equivalent certificate (GED)
• 1+ years of experience working with young, preschool or school-aged children.
• Commitment to continued education and staying current on the latest early childhood practices.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively build and maintain relationships with families, staff, and other stakeholders and constituents and act as a role model to others.
• Completed background check.

• Some college coursework (60+ credit hours preferred)
• Current participation in a teacher certification program, early childhood education or child development preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in a classroom or early childhood setting.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English.

• Exhibits the skills required to successfully execute instructional and behavior management tasks
• Possesses sufficient ability to monitor students and control behavior of students
• Understands and carries out oral and written instructions
• Utilizes materials, technology, etc. effectively to enhance instruction
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• Demonstrates time management skills
• Provides for active student engagement through management of lessons
• Possesses the ability to adapt to different tasks as needed
• Strong written and verbal skills
• Professional demeanor
• Ability to express self effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Maintains a high level of energy and a consistent positive attitude.

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package for all full time employees, including Health insurance, dental, vision, paid vacation, personal days, paid holidays, short and long term disability, paid life insurance, 403B and the Chicago Teachers’ Pension fund.

Early Childhood Assistants will be working in a busy and active environment. There may be a number of activities and situations happening at once, and the Assistant will support the Teacher to ensure children are supervised at all times. Majority of work will be performed in a general classroom/school environment. He/She may be asked to participate and attend organization sponsored events and meetings, such as field trips and network professional development.

Early Childhood Assistants may be lifting and carrying children and equipment and may spend time sitting on the floor or child sized furniture. Nature of work requires an ability to operate standard business office equipment. Required…