Preschool - Associate Teacher

Associate Teacher

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Associate Teacher at the YMCA of Muncie maintains a supportive, positive atmosphere that welcomes and respects all individuals. The Associate Teacher instructs children in developmentally appropriate activities designated to promote social, emotional, physical, intellectual and creative growth in the Mitchell Early Childhood and Family Center environment.

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world.

We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

Essential functions include providing excellent service to members, guests, and program participants in the Y, contributing to member retention. Be courteous and use individual names when speaking to members. Maintain cleanliness and organization of the environment. Develop and maintain positive relationships with volunteers and members and help members connect with one another and the Y. Serve others by intentionally welcoming, connecting, and supporting members, and inviting them to get involved and give back to the community.

Handle and resolve concerns and inform supervisor of unusual situations or unresolved issues. Apply all YMCA policies dealing with member services. Assist the Lead Teacher in implementing an emergent curriculum and provocations in a multi-age classroom based on the Reggio Emilia Approach, focusing on the children's needs and interest; aligning projected outcomes with the Indiana Learning Foundations. Assist the Lead Teacher in maintaining a Reggio inspired learning environment that fosters creative exploration, demonstrates respect for the child's work, while encouraging communication and relationships.

Assist the Lead Teacher in maintaining all required documentation (children's assessments. Licensing requirements, accreditation, and Paths to Quality requirements). Implement and adhere to health and safety and all other quality standards set forth by partnering/regulatory agencies (CACFP, NAEYC, PTQ, CCDF, licensing, YMCA, etc…). Partner with families; through engaging them in the program and connecting families to each other. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor or management staff.

Support Annual Campaign and other fund-raising activities. Uphold guidelines as outlined in the Employee Handbook of the Association. Attend designated training and staff meetings.

Advancing our mission and cause provides visionary leadership to the organization and to ensure that all resources are mobilized to adapt to new challenges and needs in the community. Change Leadership:
Facilitates, co-creates, and implements equitable change for the good of the organization and/or community. Engaging community:
Builds bridges with others in the community to ensure the Y's work is community-focused and welcoming of all, providing community benefit. Philanthropy:
Secures resources and support to advance the Y's work. Volunteerism:
Engages volunteers and promotes social responsibility at all levels of the organization. Building relationships connect people to the Y's cause, by developing inclusive relationships, partnerships and collaborations so that YMCA can co-create solutions to pressing social needs.

Collaboration:

Creates sustainable relationships within the Y and with other organizations in service to the community. Communication & Influence:
Listens and expresses self effectively and in a way that engages, inspires, and builds commitment to the Y's cause. Inclusion:
Values all people for their unique talents, and takes an…