Teacher Assistant

PRIMARY PURPOSE / FUNCTION OF POSITION:

Assist teachers with implementation of daily activities for the Childcare and Family Literacy Program. Provide consistent and nurturing care on a daily basis. Responsible for the cleanliness of the classroom, toys and other areas as necessary. Assist with supervision of the children's whereabouts at all times. Communicate with parents verbally and in writing as directed by the teacher. Meets expectations for delivering customer friendly services, a quality program, and demonstrates expected behaviors.

REPORTS TO:

LEAD CLASSROOM TEACHER

POSITION SUPERVISES:
None

PRIMARY DUTIES:

* Assist teacher in maintaining a safe, clean, organized classroom that is child centered and conducive to a child's need for both active and quiet play.

* Assist with planning and implementing daily activities that promote and enhance the children's cognitive, language, large and small motor and social/emotional development.

* Provide and model appropriate guidance of children, by providing a routine that allows for supervised use of the restrooms, assisting children when necessary, and by ensuring proper handwashing before and after meals and snacks.

* Collaborate with teachers in educating children in healthy nutritional habits through activities, modeling, and meals served family style.

* Demonstrate professionalism in interactions with children, parents, co-workers, and supervisors at all times.

* Keep accurate classroom records of attendance, meal counts, medications administered, accidents and incidents as directed by the teacher.

* Attend all training's required by licensing and any additional training opportunities deemed important in order to help meet the needs of children and families.

* Assist Director and other VOA staff in meeting the requirements of the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the licensing standards required by the State of South Dakotafor Licensed Child Care Centers as they pertain to your classroom and community areas of the building.

* Provide safety-sensitive transportation services as needed.

* Get initial Social Learning Theory training and/or refresher annually and model Social Learning Theory practices.

* Other duties as assigned

HOURS:

Full time (40 hrs / week, benefits eligible) is available varying from 7am to 6pm, Monday - Friday. $10-$11/hour.

EDUCATION/

EXPERIENCE:

* High School Diploma and/or state education requirements for a Teacher required.

* Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education and/or CDA preferred.

* Degree in Early Childhood Education or related area preferred.

* 2+ years of early childhood education experience desirable.

* 1+ yeas of experience working with assigned age group desirable.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

* Demonstrate and understanding of the developmental needs of young children along with the ability to interact with and care for young children in a manner that promotes and enhances growth and development.

* Valid driver's license.

* Excellent verbal, listening, and written communication skills required.

* At least 18 years old.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

* Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

* Stand up to 95% of the day.

* Assume postures in low level positions that best allow physical and visual contact with children.

* Able to sustain a high level of energy.

* Bend to perform the various tasks numerous times throughout the day.

* Stoop, sit on the floor.

* Have the agility to move from a seated position to a standing position promptly to respond to emergency situations.

* Perform all activities with children, i.e. jump, dance, walk, and run, etc. for extended periods of time.

* Possess acceptable hearing and visual capabilities in order to monitor the environment and children's well being.

* Both indoor and outdoor environment are typically found in a childcare facility. Depending upon activities and season, may be required to be outdoors for regular, prolonged activities.

Volunteers of America, Dakotas promotes to employ and advance in employment individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, and to treat qualified individuals without discrimination on the basis of their physical or mental disability.

VEVRAA Federal Contractor