Teacher Assistant

The Teacher Assistant assists in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate daily programming for an assigned group of children. The Teacher Assistant provides care, nurturance, protection, and supervision for all children, especially those in the assigned group, at the site, on field trips, and during school escort/pickup services.

A. Classification: Non-Exempt
B. Reports to Managing Associate Teacher
C. Programs & Impact

Apply Now

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND KEY TASKS

1. Assist in planning and implementing a variety of creative, developmentally-appropriate activities to enhance children’s social, physical, emotional, cognitive and motor skill development in a classroom environment. Participates actively with children at all times during such activities.
2. Assist in maintaining the physical environment, both indoors and outdoors, that includes constant supervision of children, toys, and equipment. Responsible for ensuring safe, clean, and healthy conditions in all surroundings with children in accordance with all licensing requirements and consistent with agency philosophy and policies. This includes, but is not limited to, statute/policy regarding appropriate supervision of children.
3. Assist in planning, implementing, and participating in classroom activities that foster children’s freedom of choice. The classroom activities must be sensitive to the needs of individual children including their individual learning styles, habits, and disabilities, if applicable.
4. Participate in staff meetings, training sessions, conferences, workshops, and other professional development activities.
5. Responsible for maintaining communication with parents as needed regarding children’s daily activities, progress, and concerns.
6. Establish a positive link with parents, and welcome them into comfortable and constructive roles in the classroom.
7. Foster awareness, understanding and appreciation of various cultures through group activities and appropriate role modeling.
8. Make referrals to the Social Service Team to ensure that children with special needs and families with functional concerns that may affect the child’s experience at the Center.
9. Write regular, anecdotal notes about the observed health, peer relationships, adult/child relationships, behavioral concerns, and areas of growth for each child in the assigned group.
10. Help children become aware of their roles as integral members of groups. Support positive peer and adult/child relationships and problem solving within groups.
11. Work as a member of a team that includes program management staff, training coordinators, classroom staff, and support staff.
12. Assume an equal share of routine classroom housekeeping responsibilities.
13. Assist with maintaining program records, including, but not limited to, classroom attendance, meal counts, child assessments, accident reports, and anecdotal notes.
14. Other duties as assigned.

Follows procedures as required by licensing and funding agencies (including but not limited to Illinois DCFS Licensing Standards, City of Chicago Health Requirements for Day Care Centers, Head Start Performance Standards, Chicago Public School requirements, Carole Robertson Center for Learning Policies and Procedures and quality standards as defined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children)

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION (Head Start):
Applicant for the position of Teacher Assistant shall possess a current CDA in either Infant Toddler or Early Childhood Development, determined by group or age assigned.

EDUCATION (CPS):
Applicants for the position of Teacher Assistant must have a minimum of 60 college credits, with a minimum of 15 credits in Early Childhood Education/Child Development.

PHYSICAL DEMAND
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform.

• Requires frequent sitting, standing, bending, or stooping for prolonged periods.
• Requires lifting up to 25 lbs.
• Requires physical agility to attend to the physical needs and activity levels of children.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills.
• Must have experience in applied skills in music theory, performance, and/or education.
• Must participate in the planning of and implementation of music and arts related program, special events.
• Ability to appropriately represent the agency to external partners, collaborators, funders, and volunteers.
• Bilingual (Spanish) proficiency as indicated for program needs.

Carole Robertson Center for Learning is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that values and actively seeks diversity in the workforce. Carole Robertson Center for Learning evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other legally protected characteristics.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should
call (312) 243-7300 ext. 226 with their request.

Apply Now