Whitney Young Jr Campus (C.S. 211) (1919 Prospect Ave)

31,452-33,615

Position Summary:

Early Childhood (EC) Division at Children’s Aid (CA) is founded on the belief that strong communities are built by children and families who have the access and skills and choice to create pathways to their success. The Early Childhood Department serves over 700 low-income children ages 0-5 and their families in schools and community centers throughout Manhattan, Staten Island and the Bronx through a combination of Federal, State and City funding. We believe that strong communities are built by children and families who have access, skills and choice to create pathways to their success.

Each Assistant Teacher will work with their teaching team to ensure that all children reach developmentally appropriate milestones through the implementation of evidence-based curricula, individualized support and high quality learning environments. Assistant Teachers will focus on making sure that all the children and families will be ready to be successful in Kindergarten and in life, while ensuring that all Head Start Performance Standards and site-specific funding regulations are met or exceeded.

Responsibilities: Under the direct supervision of the site’s Education Director, the Assistant Teacher’s responsibilities include the following:

Curriculum and Instruction

• Assist the lead teacher in promoting high-quality teaching and learning in the classroom that leads to children’s school readiness.
• Assist the lead teacher in creating an environment in which children develop trusting and accepting relationships with adults and peers that foster growth and development.
• Assist the lead teacher in designing and executing a developmentally appropriate and integrated curriculum which provides opportunities for children’s meaningful exploration.
• Assist in providing responsive care to all children through individualized planning, instruction, and supervision.

Record Maintenance, Screening and Assessment

• Assist the Lead Teacher in overseeing and maintaining accurate records on each child including overseeing screening and assessment tools.
• Assist in observing and documenting students’ development to request additional support from Education Director through internal referral process.

Family Engagement

• Assist the Lead Teacher in encouraging parent involvement and communication through newsletters, bulletin boards, classroom events, Center-wide activities, and “open-door” policy.
• Depending on the Center and the funding requirements, participate in home visits, Parent/Teacher conferences, Open Houses, and/or Family Days.

Professional Development

• Participate in all agency offered trainings, workshops, In-Service days, and/or All-Staff conferences
• Maintain certification requirement and proof of attendance in professional activities.
• Support the growth of the center including participating in program-wide goal setting and individual and program self-assessment.
• Complete all Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) required trainings within the specified time frame.
• Maintain Active Membership with Aspire AND “Registered” status with TEACH Account, both linked to CA.

Health and Safety

• Adhere to all state and city licensing requirements, teacher child/ratios, and CPR/first aid, Child Abuse Mandate, Foundations for Health and Safety, Blood Borne Infection and Mental Health First Aid certification.
• Maintain a safe and healthy environment for children aligned to CDC, DOHMH and ECERS guidance (i.e. clean toys, shelves, neat classrooms, reported damaged / broken equipment toys, etc.)

And other related duties as assigned, at the discretion of the Educational Director and/or Children’s Aid.

Qualifications: The Assistant Teacher must have qualifications that satisfy Federal Head Start requirements, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Article 47 regulations, and Universal Preschool Guidelines.

Depending on one’s education and certification, an Assistant Teacher may fall into one of the following categories:

• Assistant Teacher I: Must possess an Associate’s Degree or equivalent credits (in any area). Depending on the nature of the degree and relevant years of experience, it may be required to have a child development associate (CDA) credential or be enrolled in a CDA credential program that will be completed within 2 years, which is a condition of employment that cannot be extended.

• Assistant Teacher II: Must possess a Bachelor’s Degree (in any area). Depending on the nature of the degree and relevant years of experience, it may be required to have a child development associate (CDA) credential or be enrolled in a CDA credential program that will be completed within 2 years, which is a condition of employment that cannot be extended.

• Assistant Teacher III: Must possess a Master’s Degree (in any area). Depending on the nature of the degree and relevant years of experience, it may be required to have a child development associate (CDA) credential or be enrolled in a CDA credential program that will be completed within 2 years, which is a condition of employment that cannot be extended.

Other Qualifications:

• Bilingual preferred
• Experience working with infants and toddlers, and children with Special Needs
• Dedicated, excited and passionate about teaching and learning with young children
• Professional approach
• Resourceful & dependable
• Effective communication skills
• Hold Mental Health First Aid Certificates