Teaching Assistant

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• Upload Resume or Curriculum Vitae for automatic population of information to the application.
• The contact information, work experience, and education listed on your Resume/CV will be parsed and input into your Montclair application.
• Review information and double-check all fields containing information that the system parsed – the software is intelligent, but you need to verify that the data is accurate.
• In the “My Experience” section, you will find a Resume/CV upload option where you can submit your cover letter and all other supporting documents.

Note: If you have an expansive CV, we recommend that you apply manually and only include the positions you have held in the last ten (10) years. You will then be able to attach your Resume/CV, as well as all other supporting documentation in the "My Experience" section of your application.

Job Description

SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Ben Samuel Children’s Center (BSCC) Director and under the direct supervision of the Associate Director and/or the Master Teacher, the Teaching Assistant contributes to the development and implementation of a developmentally appropriate educational program promoting social, emotional, physical and cognitive growth and development of the children served.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Function as a member of a trans-disciplinary teaching team; co-caregiver; share ideas and information with colleagues; participate in the University community of learners.

• Partner with other Teaching Assistants in the classroom team in a co-caregiving model.

• Contribute to the planning, organization and implementation of lesson plans that stimulate children’s growth and development; assist in the provision of opportunities for children to experience, play and learn in a warm, safe, nurturing environment.

• Contribute to classroom community that is nurturing, caring, safe and conducive to learning for all members.

• Assist in the provision of physical care for children: helps to prepare meals; helps to feed children; helps in washing hands and faces; changes diapers; assists in toileting; assists in teaching self-help skills.

• May be required to engage in lifting children who are non-ambulant, semi-ambulant and/or have physical needs.

• Assist in maintaining classroom and playgrounds in a neat, clean, safe, attractive manner; examine environment for any potential hazards; maintain proper condition of materials and equipment in classroom; maintain inventories of materials and complete materials requests.

• Advise, instruct, supervise and mentor student staff and volunteers assigned to the room; model appropriate professional behavior.

• Contribute to the maintenance of charts, checklists, anecdotal records on children which will be used in the development of plans to meet the children’s individual and collective needs.

• Develop and maintain good working relationships with families; maintain open, positive, respectful lines of communication with families about their children and the Center.

• Attend meetings, workshops or courses to maintain compliance with NJ in-service requirement.

• Identify and inform the Associate Director and/or the Master Teacher of any child whose behavior and physical condition appears to differ from the norms.

• Report any instances of suspected child abuse to DYFS, classroom Teacher and Center Director.

• Maintain valid Infant/Child CPR and First Aid Certification.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Management retains the right to add or change job duties at any time.

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED:

• Ability to acquire a Child Development Associate Certificate or Nine (9) college credits in Early Childhood Education within 6 to 12 months of hire.

• Ability to bend, squat, twist, run, sit/play on the floor and lift children up to 50 pounds.

• Ability to prepare and maintain records, reports and files.

• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English fluently and effectively.

PREFERRED:

• Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education or other field related to Child Growth and Development.

• Successful work history in a child care setting as a teacher assistant or aide for at least three years.

• Knowledge of rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the Children’s Center after a period of training.

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