ASSOCIATE TEACHER

JOB SUMMARY

This position assists the Lead and Primary Teachers in providing safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate Head Start services to infants, toddlers, and/or preschoolers. This position may rotate between classrooms and may be assigned to ride the bus as a monitor.

JOB DUTIES

• Maintains a safe, healthy, and positive learning environment, which enhances children's developmental learning.
• Assists with providing an environment that respects the gender, culture, ethnicity, family composition, and special emotional, cognitive, and developmental needs of the individual child.
• Assists with lesson plans, developing materials, and implementing activities.
• Cleans classroom daily:  put away supplies, and clean and sanitize all toys and surfaces.
• Attends staff meetings, family staffing, and other scheduled meetings and required training.
• Adheres to all State licensing regulations.
• Acts as a positive role model for children, especially about respecting the feelings and rights of others.
• Follows program procedures for reporting child abuse and neglect.
• Maintain confidentiality of family records and information.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of curriculum, various content areas, and learning styles is critical to making decisions related to educational planning.
• Ability to report to work on time.
• Skill in operating personal computers utilizing a variety of computer software.
• Understanding and sensitivity to diverse cultures and lifestyles, and ability to work effectively with Alaska Native populations.
• Skill in managing multiple priorities and tasks concurrently and meeting deadlines.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative and respectful working relationships with children, parents, supervisors, and other employees.
• Strong customer service skills and the ability to effectively present instruction, and/or information to students, staff, parents, administrators, and the public.
• Ability to work independently as well as with teams.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education & Experience)

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Willingness to obtain a Child Development Associate Certification or SEED Practitioner Level Six (6)  within one (1) year of hire.
• One (1) year of experience working with young children.
• Three (3) references demonstrating positive experience working with or caring for children.
• A combination of experience, education, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may substitute for degree requirements.
• Current Pediatric CPR/First Aid or the ability to obtain within thirty (30) days of hire.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (Education & Experience)

• Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education.
• One (1) year of experience working in an Early Childhood or Head Start Program.