Teacher's Aide - Part time

Mission Statement

To partner with parents

To provide a safe, Christian environment

Where children can grow in faith

And develop social and academic skills for life.

Position Competencies

Under the direction of the classroom teacher, must be able to assist in the creation and provision of a developmentally appropriate environment and experiences to foster the physical, social, emotion, spiritual and intellectual growth of children. The majority of duties are moderate capacity which requires walking, sitting, standing bending, running, stretching, reaching, visual acuity and moderate lifting (up to 50 lbs).

Responsibilities include but may not be limited to:

Interpersonal Relationship with Clients:

• Greets parents each day.
• Shows respect for parents, as clients, and understands their needs.
• Relays any questions or concerns about child or classroom from the parents to teacher or office each day.
• Assist teacher in translating parent’s goals and expectations into established classroom goals.
• Assist in developing communication between home and center.
• Share with teacher observations concerning children for evaluations and parent conferences.
• Communication policies to parents concerning: exclusion and re-admittance of children that are ill, authorized pickups, late pickups, etc.

Interpersonal Relationship with Children:

• Greet each child and be warm and supportive.
• Stoops down to interact with children at their level.
• Speak to the children in a friendly, positive and courtesy manner using developmental appropriate vocabulary.
• Use appropriate tone of voice when disciplining.
• Provide a positive role model for children: behavior, speech, not sitting on the furniture, etc.
• Appreciate the strengths and uniqueness of each child.
• Assist children to be comfortable, relaxed, happy and involved in program activities.
• Carry out positive classroom disciplinary techniques. States directions in positive terms: use your walking feet!, etc.

Set and Maintain a Safe and Healthy Learning Environment:

• Know the purpose and use of classroom and outdoor equipment and materials.
• Follows daily schedule and routine of classroom.
• Helps to transition children from one activity/place to another.
• Assist in maintaining a positive, safe and orderly classroom environment and be aware of how to provide flexibility to meet the needs of each child.
• Promotes health and sanitary practices such as hand washing, proper diaper changing procedures, etc.
• Provides proper supervision of children on the playground to avoid injuries.
• Maintains an inventory of supplies and restocks when necessary.

Classroom Management:

• Helps transition children from one activity to another.
• Discipline: Anticipates, distracts and redirects children’s behavior.
• Organizes and prepares materials ahead of time for lessons and small group learning to ensure smooth transitions.
• Initiates activities with children, when teacher is otherwise occupied.
• Follows teacher’s lesson plans when the teacher is absent.
• Makes sure that toys, equipment and surface areas are sanitized and safe.
• Follows schedule and duties of Classroom Chore Checklist.
• Uses voice level/tone as an effective teaching tool: stoops down to maintain eye contact when speaking to a child. Moves to the children to speak rather than from across the room.
• Be able to handle and carry out activities for small groups of children.
• May be responsible for the supervision of the classroom in absence of teacher.

Professional and Personal Conduct:

• Demonstrates a knowledge of the Mission Statement, Educational and Discipline philosophies.
• Conducts oneself in a professional manner and respects the confidentiality of the children, parents and other staff members.
• Attends staff meetings, parent events, and workshops to fulfill Department of Children and Family requirements.
• Shares knowledge of workshops with others and implements ideas and strategies learned.
• Knows and follows policies and procedures of the center, maintaining a professional attitude and loyalty to the school. Does not get involved in social networking, texting, personal calling, or emailing clients.
• Arrives in the classroom promptly at the scheduled time.
• Is aware of policies and procedures regarding emergency response.
• Refrains from using a cell phone for calls, texting and internet use, while working.
• Be able to accept supervision and direction from classroom teacher and other designated supervisors.

Center Relationship:

• Be aware of the job role as it relates to other center staff and the center as a whole.
• Shows respect for coworkers collaborating and working in a team spirit.
• Know and utilize proper channels of communication.
• Is flexible in accepting children from other classrooms or provides coverage in another classroom to maintain center ratios.
• Is flexible in accepting assignments for the good of the center.
• Is flexible in adjusting work schedule to meet the needs of the center.
• Participate in maintaining records such as sign in sheets and attendance.
• Make sure room and area are left neat and clean before leaving.

Required Skills & Experience:

• A love for children and desire to promote Christian values
• Must be 18 years old
• Valid Driver’s License
• Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds, and work indoors or outdoors. Must be able to assume postures in low levels and allow physical and visual contact with children, see and hear sufficiently to keep children safe, and engage in physical activity with children.

Position Hours:

• This is a part-time position
• Employee could be asked to work additional hours if needs exist

Crossroads Early Learning Center is a ministry of Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, a member congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod