Teacher’s Assistant

Qualifications and Requirements

The Teacher’s Assistant must have:

1. 6 months experience working with young children
2. High school diploma, some college preferred 
3. Emotional maturity, willingness to cooperate with the aims of the program, respect for children and adults, flexibility, patience, good personal hygiene, and physical and mental health which does not interfere with responsibilities. 
4. A tuberculosis test, and compliance with background checks as required by DSS and DHCDC
5. Ability to collaborate with parents in the education of their children. 
6. Must meet all child care licensing requirements per Virginia Code and regulations

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

(These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.)

1. Assist teacher with executing instruction and evaluating its effectiveness.
2. Supervise and monitor children and help maintain classroom management
3. Cooperate with other staff and classroom groups to maintain the smooth functioning of the Center, to include when schedule and other changes may be made to meet the needs of the children
4. Use the playground as an extension of the classroom
5. Assist in completion accurate documentation such as infant daily sheets, assessments, screenings, attendance and inventory
6. Eat with and assist children in development of social and self-help skills, and sound nutritional practices.
7. Guide children's acquisition of social skills.
8. Attend staff training and meetings, and Board and parent meetings as requested.
9. Assist in maintaining a safe and healthy classroom environment. Assure that classroom equipment, furniture, materials, and supplies are properly maintained and stored.
10. Perform general housekeeping duties
11. Interact with families, students, staff and guests in a positive and warm manner 
12. Identify and respond to emergency situations to include child elopement.
13. Assist in conducting the daily health and environment checklist.
14. Ensure confidentiality
15. Perform other duties, as may be required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Requires ability to use abstract reasoning, problem solving, planning, and analytical skills.
2. Requires effective interpersonal and oral communication skills 
3. Ability to work in a team setting,
4. Ability to present a positive image of the organization to members of the community.
5. Possess visual and auditory acuity within professionally determined normal ranges, with correction if need.
6. Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer and office equipment, including, but not limited to, the telephone, fax machine, copier, and walkie talkie
7. Ability to work with culturally diverse staff, children and parents.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

1. Possible exposure to blood and bodily fluids or tissues.
2. Possible exposure to communicable diseases.
3. Job requires sitting in chairs and on the floor, standing for long periods of time as well as stooping, squatting, and running if needed to ensure child safety.
4. Must be able to clean interactive areas
5. Must be able to lift 40 pounds to include children when necessary
6. Must be able to enter and exit a Center van without assistance and withstand exposure to adverse weather conditions.