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SalaryJob Title: Assistant Teacher
Location: Hyde Park
Supervisor: Site Director
Program: Early Childhood Education
Job Summary: Responsible for contributing in the classroom team in planning, organizing and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum for preschool and/ or Head Start children. Assist in planning and implementing classroom activities that meet the needs of individual children and are based on IL standards and Head Start standards. Work with birth to 5-year-old children in groups and individually. Demonstrate initiative in creating a positive team. All teachers serve as ambassadors for the school and the agency.
Responsibilities and Duties:
- Work positively with all classroom team members as well with all other agency staff.
- Develop positive relationship with children and parents
- Assist lead teacher in preparation and implementation of lesson plans for classroom activities covering all developmental areas: language, cognitive, physical, personal, social/emotional and creative. Explore new curriculum ideas and implement the Project Approach along with the Creative Curriculum.
- Create an atmosphere in which children can learn, grow, build self-esteem, and in which they can feel secure. Adapt curriculum and provides leadership for planning and implementation of activities to meet each child's individual needs. Work positively with the team to assess the needs of individual children. Collaborate with the service review team. in initiating referrals for special needs services.
- Attend and participate in regular staff meetings.
- Participate constructively in classroom team meetings.
- Participate in child staffing. Participate in parent-teacher conferences, and other formal/ informal conference conversation throughout the year as appropriate. Establish and maintains effective working relationships with parents.
- Observe, document and report appropriate aspects of and changes in child's health, including but not limited to injuries, changes in physical appearance and/or social behaviors. Fill out appropriate accident and incident reports on the day of occurrence.
- Discuss and maintain records of child observation and child evaluations through Teaching Strategies Gold, Copa and Education Folders.
- Share classroom and program information with parents. Attend and participate in parent meetings, trainings, and other special events as needed.
- Participate in administrative record keeping, including daily attendance and food forms, and evaluate quality of child care services provided. Report regularly to Center Director.
- Collaborate with lead teacher and director around the ordering and purchasing of supplies.
- With classroom team, responsible for room arrangements and proper care of classroom equipment. Maintain safe, neat, orderly, and clean environment that is age appropriate for children.
- Maintain knowledge current in the field, including attendance at seminars, workshops and in service training programs
- Participate in program, agency and staff committees.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience:
- Must have a minimum of an AA in Child Development from an accredited college.
- Must have Gateways IT Credential Level 4
- Relates well with children and adults.
- Strong people skills
- Excellent verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work with culturally diverse populations.
- Function well in group and team settings.
- Committed to continuous improvement of service quality and the organization’s mission.
- Possess interpersonal skills that excel in cultural sensitivity and respect for differences.
- Covid-19 Vaccine is required (reasonable accommodations will be considered).
- Schedule: M-F (9:30AM-6:00PM)
This is a full-time non exempt position.
Hourly Rate: $18.75/per hour
Signing Bonuses Available!
Equal Opportunity Employer
Family Focus is an Equal Opportunity Employer that invests in strengthening families and their children in Chicago and NE Illinois, so they build social capital and achieve upward economic mobility through high-quality innovative programs and services, grounded in anti-racism and social justice.
