Assistant Teacher

EMPLOYER INFORMATION
Clifford Beers Community Care Center (CBCCC) is a mental health clinic serving children and families. Our mission is to provide integrated services addressing mental, physical, and social determinants in order to improve health, resiliency and quality of life for children, families and communities.

PURPOSE
The Assistant Teacher works collaboratively with the classroom teaching team to provide a safe, nurturing, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for preschool-aged children. The Assistant Teacher supports the planning and implementation of curriculum, classroom routines, child observation and assessment, family engagement, and activities that promote each child's development and school readiness.
The Assistant Teacher is responsible for the care and active supervision of children entrusted to the program and supports classroom operations in accordance with program policies, Connecticut Office of Early Childhood requirements, licensing regulations, and applicable funding and quality standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Support the teaching team in providing a safe, nurturing, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment for preschool-aged children.
• Assist with planning and implementing curriculum, learning experiences, classroom activities, and routines based on children's developmental needs, interests, and program goals.
• Maintain active supervision of children and support compliance with required staff-to-child ratios and classroom coverage requirements.
• Conduct and document observations of children and assist with developmental screenings, assessments, lesson planning, individualized goals, and other required documentation.
• Support children's social-emotional, cognitive, language, physical, and self-help skill development through daily interactions and learning experiences.
• Assist children with meals, toileting, diapering when necessary, handwashing, rest periods, transitions, and other daily care routines in a safe, hygienic, and developmentally appropriate manner.
• Build positive relationships with children and families and maintain regular, respectful communication regarding classroom activities and children's experiences.
• Assist with family engagement activities, parent meetings, conferences, home visits, and referrals for children and families, as appropriate to the program.
• Observe children for signs of illness, injury, abuse, neglect, developmental concerns, or other needs and immediately report concerns in accordance with program policies and mandated reporting requirements.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential child, classroom, and program records.
• Maintain a safe, clean, organized, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment and ensure that equipment, furniture, materials, and supplies are properly used and stored.
• Follow all health, safety, sanitation, emergency preparedness, licensing, and program requirements.
• Participate in staff meetings, supervision, professional development, emergency drills, program self-assessment, and other required program activities.
• Collaborate professionally with teaching staff, supervisors, families, consultants, and community partners.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

TRAVEL

• May be required to travel for professional development opportunities.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

• Primarily indoor, environmentally controlled early childhood classroom setting with regular participation in outdoor activities.
• Frequent interaction and close physical proximity to children, families, and coworkers.
• Exposure to the typical noise, activity, and physical demands of an early childhood education environment.

COMPETENCIES
Must demonstrate the following competencies:

Diversity and Inclusion
Foster an environment in which all members of the CBCCC community, from staff to partners and clients, are treated equitably and are able to contribute fully and meaningfully to the mission of CBCCC. Employees must make every effort to:

• Treat others with respect
• Practice cultural humility
• Elicit and welcome different points of view

Integrity
Act ethically with honesty and consistency regardless of the situation. Employees must make every effort to:

• Be accountable for his or her own actions
• Make decisions based on what is better for the families and employees
• Build and maintain trust among co-workers and our families
• Uphold honesty in all actions

Excellence
Commitment to deliver outstanding practices in both managing the organization, service delivery, and collaborating with partners. Employees must make every effort to:

• Utilize data and research to provide the highest quality of care
• Regularly participate in professional development to stay abreast of most recent and progressive practices
• Promote continuous quality assessment and improvement

Communication:
The ability to express oneself clearly and professionally both in writing, conversations, and in nonverbal communication with others. Employees must make every effort to:

Oral Communication

• Speak clearly and in an organized manner that can be easily understood
• Express ideas concisely and respectfully
• Summarize or paraphrase his/her understanding of what others have said to verify understanding and prevent miscommunication
• Hold themselves accountable for pitch, speed, tone and volume of voice while speaking
• Show understanding of professional and cultural implications of body posture, stance, gestures, proximity to listener, facial expressions and appearance

Written Communication

• Write clear and concise sentences devoid of grammatical and spelling errors
• Tailor writing style to the audience of the message
• Write in a respectful and tactful manner

AAP Statement
Clifford Beers Community Care Center (CBCCC), is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity or Expression, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit Retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination.

EDUCATION

• Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential
• Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field preferred
• Associate’s degree in an unrelated field along with 12 ECE credits

EXPERIENCE

• Experience working with preschool-aged children in a licensed early childhood education, childcare, school, or similar setting preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate early childhood practices.
• Experience working collaboratively with children and families from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds preferred

LICENSURE

• N/A

SKILLS

• Knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practices for preschool-aged children.
• Ability to establish positive, nurturing, and responsive relationships with young children while supporting their individual developmental, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.
• Ability to maintain active supervision and ensure children's health, safety, and well-being at all times.
• Ability to remain flexible and adapt to changing classroom needs, children's individual needs, and daily program priorities.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and handle sensitive child and family information in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational policies.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize responsibilities and complete required documentation within established timelines.
• Ability to observe children objectively and accurately document developmental progress, behaviors, and classroom activities.
• Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a classroom team and effectively partner with families, consultants, and other professionals.
• Ability to foster an inclusive, culturally responsive environment that respects the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities of children and families.
• Basic computer proficiency, including the ability to use electronic documentation systems, email, and standard office software.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES

• 20% of the time is spent making repetitive motions.
• 10% of the time is spent sitting.
• 60% of the time is spent walking, bending, standing, stooping, crouching, or kneeling.
• 10% of the time is spent using hands to type, write, or use controls.
• Ability to perform the physical activities necessary for the supervision and daily care of young children
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.