Pre-K Educational Assistant

Pre-K Educational Assistant

Dulce Independent Schools is seeking a dedicated, compassionate, and enthusiastic Pre-K Educational Assistant to support the instructional program and provide a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for young children.

The Pre-K Educational Assistant works under the direction and supervision of the licensed Pre-K teacher and assists with classroom instruction, student supervision, routines, activities, and the implementation of developmentally appropriate early childhood practices.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a genuine commitment to working with young children and families and will support the social-emotional, physical, cognitive, language, and academic development of Pre-K students.

• Assist the Pre-K teacher with implementing developmentally appropriate instructional activities and classroom routines.
• Support individual and small-group learning activities.
• Assist students with age-appropriate academic, social-emotional, behavioral, and self-help skills.
• Maintain a safe, clean, organized, and nurturing classroom environment.
• Supervise students during classroom activities, transitions, arrival, dismissal, meals, recess, and other assigned activities.
• Assist with classroom preparation, organization, displays, learning materials, and instructional resources.
• Encourage positive social interactions and assist students in developing appropriate communication and problem-solving skills.
• Support students in following classroom expectations and routines.
• Assist the teacher in collecting information and documenting student progress as directed.
• Communicate appropriately and professionally with students, staff, and families.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding students, families, and school matters.
• Assist with personal care and hygiene needs of students as appropriate to the position and student needs.
• Participate in required professional development and Pre-K training.
• Follow all district policies, procedures, safety requirements, and applicable state and federal laws.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Pre-K teacher, administrator, or Superintendent.

Applicants must meet the requirements established by the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) and the New Mexico Pre-K Program Standards.

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Meet applicable NMPED Educational Assistant licensure requirements.
• Ability to successfully complete required background/fingerprint clearance.
• Ability to work effectively with young children in a school setting.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work cooperatively with students, families, teachers, administrators, and other staff.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and demonstrate professional judgment.

For a school-based New Mexico Pre-K program, the Pre-K Program Standards provide that Educational Assistants must:

• Hold an associate degree in Early Childhood Education and be a licensed Educational Assistant, OR
• Be pursuing an associate degree in Early Childhood Education, as documented in the employee's Professional Development Plan (PDP).

NMPED's current Level 3 Educational Assistant licensure requirements include several qualifying pathways, including an associate degree, bachelor's degree, specified college credit, or approved assessment pathways. Applicants who do not currently hold an NMPED Educational Assistant license should be prepared to obtain the appropriate license in accordance with NMPED requirements.

Preference may be given to applicants who have:

• Associate degree or higher in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
• Current NMPED Level 3 Educational Assistant license.
• Previous experience working with preschool or elementary-age children.
• Experience working in an early childhood, Pre-K, Head Start, or child development program.
• Training or experience in early childhood development.
• Experience working with children with disabilities or developmental delays.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills, particularly in English and Spanish.
• Strong communication, organization, teamwork, and classroom management skills.

Pre-K Educational Assistants are required to complete the professional learning required by the New Mexico Pre-K program. The current Pre-K Program Standards require Pre-K teachers and Educational Assistants to complete a minimum of 24 professional learning hours annually, in addition to required Pre-K training.

The successful applicant should demonstrate:

• Knowledge of or willingness to learn developmentally appropriate practices for young children.
• Ability to establish positive relationships with young children.
• Patience, flexibility, dependability, and sound judgment.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of an instructional team.
• Ability to follow directions and carry out assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to maintain a positive and…