Assistant Teacher - Early Childhood Education

Description

WHO WE ARE:

Volunteers of America Colorado is a nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in-need transform their lives. Through more than 50 distinct human service programs, Volunteers of America changes the lives of more than 140,000 vulnerable Coloradoans each year. VOA services include housing and emergency shelters, hunger and nutrition services, and many other community support programs. Our work touches the mind, body, heart and ultimately the spirit of those we serve. VOA integrates compassion with highly effective programs that build and strengthen communities.

WHAT MAKES VOA SPECIAL?

Volunteers of America Colorado believes unique challenges require unique and thoughtful solutions. VOA creates specialized programs to meet the critical needs of the communities we serve—our programs across Colorado look different because each community is distinct. We engage faith, relationship-building, and volunteers wherever we go to lift up and support Colorado’s most vulnerable citizens.

JOB SUMMARY:

Assist in the delivery of the preschool program (ages 3-5) based on the individual and group’s educational, intellectual, physical, social, and emotional potential of the children enrolled utilizing an ecological model that focuses on the child and family. Service modalities include Trauma Informed Care, Conscious Discipline, Motivational Interviewing, utilizing the domains of CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System), Head Start Child Development and Early Learning Framework, Creative Curriculum, and Teaching Strategies Gold. Job Duties include the responsibility for working alongside the Lead Teacher, Teacher Associate, and Foster Grandparents in managing the classroom’s physical and educational environment, partnering with families to support whole child development, collaborating with all team members and partners to consistently improve individual, team, and children’s learning outcomes, preparing and maintaining documentation in compliance with federal, state, and agency performance standards, creating a positive classroom climate to benefit the social-emotional and academic development of students and welcomes families. May need to work in different classrooms, the kitchen or step into a Teacher Associate roll during absences.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensures that the family’s voice is heard, and their ideas play a prominent role in programming.
• Assists in the implementation of high-quality, trauma-informed, large group and individualized lessons that align with Head Start, CLASS, and TSG performance standards.
• Supports top ECERS-R and CLASS ratings and creates a welcoming and warm environment for all students and their families.
• Utilizes lessons and studies from the Creative Curriculum and Conscience Discipline to guide children’s education.
• Engages in consistent data gathering, documentation, assessment, and analysis of student’s performance.
• Discusses children’s ongoing development in collaboration with the Education Coordinator, School Nurse, Mental Health and Developmental consultants. Provides thorough documentation when referrals are made for students in need of further evaluation.
• Maintains accurate records of students’ daily and hourly attendance and Meal Counts.
• Aides in the organization and maintenance of the classroom, kitchen, and other school-related materials.
• Creates and maintains a predictable schedule and routine for the classroom, including arriving to work on time and refraining from frequent absences.
• Regularly maintains classrooms sanitization practices in accordance to licensing and best practices.
• Attends orientations, trainings, education programs, staff meetings, community meetings, conferences, and workshops as requested and applicable to meet the needs of the position. May provide training and mentorship to team members and community stakeholders regarding best practices in relevant service models and practices.
• Completes a minimum of 15 credit hours of continued education per licensing requirements.
• Assumes the role of the Associate Teacher during absences. Covers teacher breaks as needed. Covers in the kitchen as needed.
• Performs all duties in a professional manner, adhering to the NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) Code of Ethics, and maintaining confidentiality of all information.
• Predictable, consistent attendance.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Ability to effectively communicate to families, coworkers, consultants, volunteers, and community partners.
• Good organizational skills.
• Basic computer and tablet skills to input data an