Preschool Teacher Assistant HelpNM

Deming NM
Preschool Teacher Assistant

HELP New Mexico has been empowering positive action through our services since 1965. We maintain a diversified approach to address community needs at 25 offices across the state. Come HELP New Mexico's change lives and improve the community where you live, play, and work.

OBJECTIVE AND POSITION SUMMARY

This position assists the classroom preschool teacher in planning and implementing activities with children between the ages of 3-5 years of age, consistent with the curriculum guide, resources and training provided; follow basic principles of early childhood development defined by the program and establish and maintain effective, working relationships with children, parents, and staff. In the absence of the teacher; the teacher assistant will assume the routine of the teacher. Teacher Assistant is supervised in the classroom by the teacher and on a secondary level by the Center Manager or Lead Teacher. All activities and interactions will be in conformance with all federal, state and local regulations, standards, policies, procedures and best practices.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Assist the teacher in planning and maintaining a safe, clean, learning environment indoors and outdoors; assures the well-being and safety of the children in his/her care.

Maintain a positive, calm attitude and a pleasant, soothing voice, and models this attitude and voice for parents and others working or volunteering in the program.

Assist teacher to implement the developmental assessment for each child to determine the child's strengths and areas in which each child may need assistance.

Plans with and assists the teacher in preparing materials and supplies in advance for activities.

Interacts with children in activities to promote social and intellectual growth appropriate to the child's developmental stages at all times.

Assist classroom teacher in conducting daily learning environment health and safety inspections.

Assists in planning, preparing, and developing lesson plans, activity evaluations, IEP's, observations, report of contacts, referrals and other documentation required by the program, i.e. in-kind, attendance, inventory, data entry.

Responsible for observation documentation as designated by the teacher.

Implement home visits and parent conferences at the convenience of the parent.

Share information about the child and family with the teacher and parents.

Assist teacher in maintaining discipline and supervision of children during all activities, as define in the program's guidance of children policy/procedures.

Observe children to detect signs of illness, injury, issues, developmental, child abuse or child neglect and immediate report to teacher for follow-up.

Works cooperatively with the teacher as a team to encourage the active participation of all parents in the program.

Assumes the teacher's role in leading selected activities during designated parts of the class-day on a regular basis.

Attends all training opportunities and all staff and parent meetings provided and scheduled.

Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Must provide accurate and timely documentation, as needed

Adheres to all program and funding regulations, as well as agency and program policies and procedures and written service plans.

Will abide by the Confidentiality Statement and the Core Values of the program

Performs other duties as assigned and which are deemed necessary or desirable by the program.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Education/Background :

• High School or GED
• Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field; or Child Development Associate (CDA) or New Mexico Child Development Certificate or willing to work towards requirements within a specific timeframe identified by the program.
• Minimum of 1-2-years' experience working with young children in an early childhood setting or a public school setting at a grade level no higher than elementary school.
• First Aid/CPR Certified or willing to obtain within the first 6-months of employment is required.
• Health Determination/TB Skin Test and Fingerprint Background Check prior to employment
• Bilingual ability (Spanish/English) is preferred

Driver's License/Proof of Insurance : Some staff members may be required to maintain a current New Mexico driver's license, an insurable driving record, and provide proof of current liability insurance meeting or exceeding State-required minimum coverages.

Effective January 3, 2022, all CPLC Employees and all Service Providers, are required to be Fully Vaccinated against COVID-19. Newly hired employees, who are not Fully Vaccinated at the time of hire, are expected to begin a vaccination series immediately upon hire. CPLC recognizes medical and religious exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement, in accordance with applicable law and upon approval by CPLC. However, any person approved for an exemption, without exception, is subject to masking.