Teacher Assistant

Since 1955, Malone has served neighboring families, youth, and the Lincoln community with inclusive, social, cultural, educational, employment and welfare services. With our active support against poverty and our vision to create unity and a prosperity consciousness in Lincoln, we are constantly re-evaluating our programs to ensure the current needs of the community are being met.

The Teacher Assistant will support the preschool team and the Director by helping to create a caring and safe environment for the children and assisting in activities to improve the overall care and quality of education. S/he must be able to communicate, listen and work well with others in a team environment. Assist the staff in implementing a quality educational program and in developing positive relationships with the children and their parents.

The teacher assistant will work with lead teacher to ensure the education program is developmentally appropriate and meets children's individual needs as well as program standards of Malone, the Nebraska Department of Education, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

• Champion the Malone Center mission and vision in all engagements and interactions, both internal and external to the organization.

• Observe, assess, and document each child’s skills, behavior, growth, and development.
• Provide opportunities for children to develop positive self-images and experience success.
• Develop and individualized educational plan for each child.
• Bring attention to those children with special needs. Coordinate referrals for children with special needs or mental health needs with the Lead Teacher.
• Contribute to and participate in child and family reviews, Mental Health staffing, and/or Individualized Education Plans/Individualized Family Service Plans.

• Maintain an attractive and stimulating learning environment and encourage child’s independence and self-selection of activities.
• Ensure that all children are under appropriate supervision and guidance at all times.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and healthy classroom environment.
• Utilize Positive Behavior Supports and Touchpoints strategies.
• Assist team with planning and implementation of developmentally appropriate classroom activities that will enhance language and literacy development, (2) cognition and general knowledge, (3) approaches towards learning, (4) physical well-being and motor development, and (5) social and emotional development of each child.
• Participate in interpreting and analyzing assessment results and utilize data to plan individual and classroom experiences as well as intentionally share information with families.
• Assist in developing lesson plans with goals, objectives, activities, and outcomes for children and implement them intentionally.
• Assist in integrating other areas, i.e., health/physical activity, nutrition, mental health, disabilities, transition, safety, and parent involvement, into the education plan.

• Participate in parent conferences and meetings about the child’s progress.
• Encourage parent participation in program activities and in implementing education activities for their children at home and in the community.
• Communicate with parents (informal conversations, newsletters, personal notes) regarding their child’s involvement in classroom activities and progress toward learning goals.
• Utilize Brightwheel online parent and teacher portal for parent communication and tracking of youth attendance.
• Participate in regular reflective supervision with the Lead teacher.
• Participate in ongoing professional development (including peer learning activities).
• Support the implementation of new strategies gained through training.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding each child and family.
• Assist in maintaining daily attendance and CACFP food counts.
• Actively engage in activities; manage cleanliness, maintenance, and availability of classroom materials.
• Follow all center policies and state regulations.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.
• This position requires regular evening and weekend availability to support program operations,…