Youth Development Assistant Teacher

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position provides direct supervision of a group of children in licensed Before and After school Enrichment or Early Learning program. Assistant Teachers create positive, nurturing relationships with children, while building cooperative relationships with parents/caregivers. Promotes and supports the potential of all youth in programs and facilitates peer-to-peer connections as part of the overall child experience.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Child/ Youth Growth & Development

• Identifies and responds to individual differences in personalities, temperaments, development, learning styles, and culture.
• Promotes growth and development using appropriate services and resources
  
  Learning Environments & Curriculum

• Supports developmentally appropriate learning environments and curriculum implementation
• Provides an engaging, physically and emotionally safe, and inclusive environment to encourage play, exploration, and learning
• Provides a safe learning environment where all children and youth can explore and develop cognitive, social, emotional, and physical motor skills.
• Guides children and youth in expressing their feelings and asserting themselves in socially acceptable ways.
• Helps children and youth communicate and get along with others in a safe and inclusive environment
• Support the diverse needs, abilities and interests of all participants

Observation & Assessment

• Identifies children and youth as individuals and acknowledges that individuals develop at their own pace.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding observation and assessment information.
• Assists with the collection of information about growth, development, and learning.

Interactions with Youth

• Provides a supportive environment in which children and youth can learn and practice appropriate and acceptable behaviors.
• Provides individual guidance and support using appropriate methods, services, and resources.

Youth Engagement

• Supports active participation of children and youth in the program.
• Develops relationships with children and youth while respecting cultural and ability differences in participation style.
• Foster critical thinking, decision-making, problem-solving, and goal-setting skills
• Maintains appropriate emotional and physical boundaries between children, youth, and adults.
• Values cultural differences in children, youth, and families

Family Engagement

• Communicates respectfully and positively with families from a variety of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Develops and maintains open, friendly, cooperative, and respectful relationships with families.
• Contributes to positive relationships between school and the after school program.

Safety & Wellness

• Follows all health and safety regulations and policies.
• Identifies, documents, and reports suspected child abuse and neglect as mandated by law.
• Responds calmly and effectively to a crisis.
• Recognizes and maintains safe indoor and outdoor areas.
• Supports the nutritional needs and healthy eating practices of children and youth.
• Models healthy lifestyle practices.

Program planning

• Supports and implements the program’s weekly lesson plans.

Professional Development and Leadership

• Promotes professionalism using appropriate skills, services, and resources.
• Improves teaching and learning through professional work habits.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• High school Dipolma or GED required

Experience:

• 1 year of experience working with children in a licensed child care center preferred.
• PREVIOUS experience working with diverse populations preferred.

Certification(s) and Requirements:

• CPR and First Aid certification and Safety training required within 30 days of hire.
• At least 18 years old.

Technical Skills and Knowledge:

• Demonstrate commitment to the mission, cause of the YMCA, and uphold its…