A Teacher Assistant assists classroom teachers by providing extra individual attention and instruction to students. Helps teachers with recordkeeping, preparation for lessons and activities and supervising students. May work with special education students, or work in a school library or computer lab; may be called teacher aide or paraprofessional.
This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Teacher's Assistant provides support to the lead teacher in supervising and guiding children's development in a safe, healthy, warm, and nurturing environment. The Grants Pass Family YMCA Teacher's Assistant helps to facilitate quality program curriculum and lesson plans, ensuring a positive and enriching experience for all children while upholding the YMCA's mission and values.
OUR CULTURE
We are a powerful association of men, women and children joined together by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility. We believe that lasting personal and social change can only come about when we all work together to invest in our kids, our health and our neighbors. That's why, at the Y, strengthening community is our cause. Every day, we work side-by-side with our neighbors in 10,000 communities to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Program Support:
Assists implementation of daily activities and lesson plans, including arts and crafts, active games, and snack time. Be ready to initiate activities, participate in activities and interact with children. Integrate YMCA materials into all lesson plans. Provide children with opportunities to develop language and literacy. Provide an environment that promotes smooth and orderly transitions.
Supervision and Safety:
Supervise children and maintain that children are never left alone. Make sure all children are watched at all times. Assist with positive reinforcement and disciplinary needs of children. Assist in maintaining a physically and mentally safe environment for the children. Follow all policies and procedures as set forth in the employee handbook, department handbook, and the emergency response plan manual. Know all emergency procedures.
Relationship Building and Communication:
Establish positive relationships with parents, children, school personnel, and other staff members. Be a positive role model. Communicate with supervisor, staff, members, guests, and volunteers in a clear, concise, and positive manner while using Listen First skills. Encourage parent involvement in the programs. Perform excellent service to all members, staff, volunteers, and guests. Build relationships by using names and initiating conversations with all members, staff, volunteers, and guests.
Record Keeping and Administrative Support:
Maintain appropriate records as required by the center, including daily attendance, supply requests, and lesson plans. Meet all required deadlines. Attend all required staff meetings and give input on programming issues. Attend all required department meetings/training.
Professional Development and Conduct:
Actively pursue training and learning opportunities and certifications relating to the position. Maintain current certifications required by the position, including CPR, First Aid, AED, and Child Abuse and Prevention Training. Keep continuing education requirements current. Adhere to the Child Care Center dress code policy. Conduct self in a professional, responsible manner. Is committed to maintaining a workplace free from all forms of harassment. Adheres to policies related to boundaries with youth.
Leadership Competencies:
Understand, support, and commit to the YMCA cause and our role in the community as a leader in Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility. Understand, follow, and demonstrate the Y Competencies. Punch in and out for required shifts and review timecards to verify accuracy. Notify the supervisor in advance when unable to work scheduled shifts. Arrive 5-10 minutes before the shift starts and be prepared; if closing, stay until the last child is gone. Help build awareness that the Y is a charitable organization. Follow and enforce Association and departmental policies, including the substitute policy. Adheres to procedures related to managing high-risk activities and supervising youth. Reports suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations. Follows mandated abuse reporting requirements. Perform other related duties as assigned by your supervisor.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & 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. Stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger; handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl; and talk to hear. Regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
QUALIFICATIONS
An assistant teacher must meet the criteria to be a teacher aide 1 according to the State of Oregon Licensing regulations for group child care. Must be at least 16 years old. Before starting you must complete the enrollment in Central Background Registry Must complete the Introduction to Child Care Health and Safety training and additional as assigned Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from participants, members, staff, administration, or the general public. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions that deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
