VPK Teacher Assistant - Morgan Woods

Description

Reporting to the Lead VPK Teacher and the Operations Director, the VPK Assistant Teacher supports the implementation of developmentally appropriate instruction to prepare children for kindergarten. This role emphasizes fostering emergent literacy, language development, and foundational math skills through engaging and interactive learning experiences. The Assistant Teacher collaborates with the Lead Teacher to create a safe, inclusive, and stimulating learning environment, assists in curriculum implementation, and helps with classroom management. Additionally, this role includes supporting children's individual learning needs, maintaining program compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, and engaging with families to enhance student success.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supports the Lead VPK Teacher in planning and conducting developmentally appropriate daily lessons and activities, assisting in guiding children's behavior and learning through active engagement and curriculum implementation.
• Helps maintain a safe, clean, and inclusive classroom environment conducive to optimal growth and development.
• Ensures children are properly supervised during activities, handwashing, and toileting while following all emergency policies and procedures.
• Adheres to policies related to boundaries with children and families, ensuring a professional and safe learning environment.
• Follows procedures for managing high-risk activities, supervising children appropriately, and ensuring their well-being at all times.
• Reports any suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations, following mandated abuse reporting requirements.
• Assists in conducting developmental assessments and maintaining accurate records for licensing and funding requirements.
• Observes and documents each child's health upon arrival and throughout the day, reporting concerns as needed.
• Greets each child and parent upon arrival, fostering positive relationships and effectively communicating with families.
• Participates in parent conferences at least twice per year to support discussions on child progress and address concerns.
• Assists in ensuring the program meets all local, state, and federal regulations, contributing to quality improvement efforts.
• Attends staff meetings, training sessions, and YMCA special events, engaging in professional development opportunities.
• Completes required abuse risk management training and follows all safety and child protection policies.
• Helps manage classroom supplies and materials, ensuring they are available and well-maintained.
• Supports the overall mission of the YMCA and the success of the program by performing additional responsibilities as needed.

Requirements

Education/ Experience Required:

• Must be at least 21 years of age or older.
• Minimum Child Development Associate (CDA); Associates or Bachelors in related field; AND/OR equivalent experience, preferred.
• 45 DCF Training Hours
• Florida VPK Instructor Credentials (Instructor Emergent Literacy and Standards Course Requirements)
• Must have a minimum of one-year experience working in an early learning/preschool/childcare setting; licensed childcare experience a plus.
• Strong computer skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Bilingual English/Spanish a plus.
• Any additional mandatory or assigned trainings.

Certifications/Trainings Required:

• Must obtain within 30 days of employment and then maintain current certifications in CPR, AED, and First Aid.
• 45 DCF Training Hours preferred; or obtain within one-year of employment
• Maintain other required certifications as stated in the training matrix.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job includes, but not limited to:

• The employee needs sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions and to supervise program activities in a wide variety of indoor and outdoor locations.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer and authorized work phone/smart device.
• Ability to instruct and observe participants during program activities.
• The employee frequently is required to see, observe, and hear all participants, and make sound judgments and decisions.
• Ability to perform all physical aspects of the position, including, but not limited to, leading class, walking, standing, bending, reaching, and lifting.
• Ability to sit and reach, and must be able to move around the work environment.
• Hear noises and distress signals in the program environment, including in the classroom and anywhere around the zone of responsibility.
• Must have flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
• Ability to lift and move a minimum of 30 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to work in a variety of environments, specifically those subject to extreme humidity/dampness, heat and cold.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.
• This position requires reliable transportation and willing to travel, if needed.