Our Savior Lutheran School

Job Description Function Teaching Assistants actively participate in planning and implementing the curriculum, working with parents, and assessing the needs of individual children under the guidance of the Lead Teacher.   Accountability Teaching assistants are directly responsible to the Principal, but take daily direction from the Lead Teacher to whom they are assigned.   Educational/Background Requirements Must possess a high school diploma and be at least 18 years of age.  Teaching assistants must have, or be in the process of obtaining, a CPR certificate card and have completed Parts I and II of the Florida Department of Children and Families Child Care Facility Training, along with five hours of literacy training.  All requirements must be completed within 90 days of hire. Must be able to model self after the Lead Teacher. This person must be warm and friendly, be sensitive to the feelings and needs of others, and be able to relate well to children. In addition, he/she must be willing to fulfill his/her responsibilities in accordance with the school’s educational philosophy.  

Responsibilities

To establish and maintain a safe and healthy environment

1. Assists in establishing and maintaining a safe environment which is clean, safe, stimulating and which is appropriate for each child’s developmental level.
2. Assists the Lead Teacher with the appearance, decor, and learning environment of the classroom.
3. Assumes an equal share of the housekeeping responsibilities of the staff.
4. Promotes healthy eating practices.
5. Follows work assignment determined by administration, designed to maintain the adult to child ratio required by Child Care Licensing.

  To advance motor and intellectual competence,

1. Interacts with children in accordance with developmentally appropriate practices.
2. Manages classroom through positive redirection, problem solving, setting appropriate limits, and active listening.
3. Assists in implementing lesson plans that promote the development of each child.
4. May assume temporary classroom responsibilities in the event of the teacher’s absence.

  To support social and emotional development and provide positive guidance,

1. Treats each child, parent, family member, and coworker with dignity and respect.
2. Considers the individual child relationship to his/her culture and socioeconomic background.
3. Helps each child to become aware of his/her role as an integral member of a group.

  To establish positive and productive relationships with families

1. Communicates parent questions and concerns to the Lead Teacher and Principal.
2. Communicates own concerns about a child’s development to the Lead Teacher and Principal.
3. Makes families feel welcome in the environment, greets parent and child at arrival and departure times.
4. Offers support to teaching team by relaying observations.

  To ensure a well-run purposeful program responsive to participant needs,

1. Follows daily/weekly schedule as determined by Lead Teacher and Principal.
2. Assists in implementation of daily, weekly, and monthly plans under the guidance of the Lead Teacher.
3. Assists in documentation of child’s progress.

  To maintain a commitment to professionalism,

1. Upon hire, begins training to meet state requirements. This training must include communicable disease, and child abuse recognition and prevention, CPR and first aid as well as other child development topics as required by Principal. All requirements must be met within 90 days.
2. Attends all staff meetings, parent meetings, and other mandatory or required in-services.
3. Follows school code of ethics and all preschool policies.
4. Keeps open communication with the Lead Teacher at all times.
5. Maintains professional attitude and loyalty to the program at all times.
6. Maintains confidentiality regarding staff, families, and children at all times.
7. Addresses concerns regarding program issues (i.e. staffing, safety, program, operations) to the Principal.
8. Relates to families in a positive and respectful manner.
9. Does not discuss the progress or behavior of a student with a parent; this is the role of the Lead Teacher.
10. Reports all incidents of suspected abuse or neglect in accordance with federal/state guidelines
11. Attends annual in-service workshops to earn 24 hours of continuing education credit before June 30.
12. Should not work more than scheduled hours without approval of Principal.
13. Conducts self in a professional manner, refraining from gossip and maintaining confidentiality of school families and staff.

     It is understood that in addition to these responsibilities, the Teacher Assistant will accept and perform reasonable tasks related to the total preschool program such as participating in fundraising activities and attendance at special church programs.  Teaching Assistants are not responsible for planning activities or taking the Lead Teacher role in the classroom, and should not be assigned prep work when children are present.