Teacher's Aide

Overall Job Objective

Summary

Under administrative and general supervision of the Coordinator and close classroom supervision from the Ak-Chin Early Childhood Development Program (A.E.C.D.P) Preschool Teacher, assists in classroom management by working as a team player and providing a loving and nurturing learning environment with quality instruction and gentle guidance. Work hours vary from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday.

Minimum Qualifications

Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age, a high school graduate or GED equivalent, and have some experience providing care for pre-school aged children (1 year to 5 years-old). Must be willing and able to obtain a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential within two years of hire date. Must also obtain First Aid/CPR certification within the 90-day introductory period. Must have a valid Arizona Driver's License and be able to meet the Community's insurance carrier requirements. Must successfully complete a background check.

Examples of Duties

• Assists and participates in the learning process, through training, education, curriculum development and the supervision of pre-school children (1 to 5 years old).
• Assists the Bus Driver in managing the safe transportation of children riding the bus to and from the Pre-School.
• Coordinates with the Child Development Staff on all phases of the classroom to ensure a well-managed purposeful program.
• Participates in planning developmentally appropriate lessons and activities for assigned children and collecting data to document individual child's progress.
• Assists children with their social, emotional, cognitive, spiritual and physical development.
• Assists the Cultural Resources/Language staff in providing culturally diverse activities for the children, such as dancing, singing, rhythmic music, and story time.
• Maintains daily scheduled classroom activities, and follows lesson and menu plans accordingly.
• Eats meals/snacks with children in order to model proper manners and nutritional practices.
• Assists in creating a child centered learning environment.
• Keeps the classroom clean and orderly by organizing the furniture and materials.
• Cleans and disinfects toys, tables, mats and other surfaces to maintain proper health and safety practices.
• Promotes playground safety and developmentally appropriate outdoor play and supervises children on field trips with teacher(s).
• Attends and participates in all scheduled staff meetings, workshops, in-service trainings such as CPR, First Aid and Food Handlers classes.
• Attends parent meetings, as needed or required.
• Observes strict confidentiality guidelines regarding children and families.
• Reports suspected abuse/neglect/maltreatment and other social service related incidents to the appropriate agency, professional, and Director.
• Demonstrates ethical professional conduct at all times.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned to maintain and enhance program and departmental operation.

Other Requirements

• Knowledge of early childhood education, child growth and development, and learning styles as well as positive discipline techniques.
• Skill in working effectively on a team and as a team participant, and in establishing working relationships with co-workers, other Community Departments, and parents.
• Skill in interacting with small children in learning and play situations.
• Skill in understanding and interpreting the problems of small children.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions, policies and procedures, rules and regulations and guidelines.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding the Pre-school children and their families at all times.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to operate a variety of standard office and media equipment, including a photocopier, fax machine, typewriter, calculator, telephone, computer, TV, VCR, camcorder, digital camera, tape recorder, CD/cassette player, record player, and overhead projector to fulfill job requirements.
• Ability to handle food products, various classroom supplies/materials, and cleaning products.