About the job
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: Ability to listen to and respect others and to embrace diversity in all others shows cultural awareness and has a highly functional understanding of and appreciation for developing and accessing culturally responsive services and supports for individuals and families Ability to form positive, healthy relationships with children and families Ability to work with children with disabilities (Language, physical and cognitive) Strong written and verbal communications skills Ability to understand and carry out written and oral direction Positive, innovative approach to problem solving Present ideas in a clear, concise, understandable, and organized manner Ability to negotiate, persuade, and modify different opinions to reach the goals/objectives of HC&YDC Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide Ability to work independently and as a team member Ability to relate well with others even while working at a distance without the benefit of personal contact Ability to work in an organized, efficient manner with a high level of accuracy, attention to detail, and follow-through Ability to exercise judgment and discretion Excellent time-management and general organization skills Ability to read email and respond in a professional manner PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Must be able to navigate and travel independently to all training and events associated with HC&YDC as needed. Must be able to sit and stand on the floor without assistance Must be able to squat/stoop to interact on children's level Must be able to physically and mentally react immediately in unexpected or emergency situations Will seek assistance to perform physical demands of the job, if necessary, i.e., lifting or moving heavy classroom equipment Must have completed the TECE 1 & 2, CDA, or associate degree in ECE Must hold Delaware First Teacher Certificate Must be able to stand and sit for extended periods of time, up to 4 hours Must be able to lift/carry up to 60 lbs. Must be able to interact in all ways (i.e., functions in activities necessary to supervise or participate with student population to be served and not limited to running, jumping, dancing, and exercising) Must be able to travel to different buildings and/or agencies Must be able to travel to different locations for professional development and training sessions WORK ENVIRONMENT: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions including heat, snow, rain, and humidity. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. OSHA CATEGORY: Normal routine involves no exposure to blood, body fluid, or tissue. Exposure or potential for exposure may occur BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES: Must pass criminal background checks as required by Delaware's Office of Childcare Licensing and pertinent to this position Must complete TB test as required by licensing and pertinent to this position Must pass a physical examination as required by licensing and pertinent to this position GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Treat colleagues and students as individuals with respect and dignity Promote and provide culturally competent client care and staff interactions that respond respectfully to the strengths and skills of diverse ethnicities and cultures, languages, socio-economic classes, disabilities, religions, genders, sexual orientation, and other diversity related factors Provide leadership to staff, promote a sense of agency with co-workers and staff, and communicate in ways that support agency mission and values Complete documentation and other reporting requirements Must attend all required staff meetings, programs, and HC&YDC activities Review progress in professional development and growth objectives periodically with supervisor. Discuss family and staff issues, when necessary, only with designated appropriate staff Report any signs of suspected child/elder abuse and neglect per Delaware's guidelines Conduct self as a role model in interactions with staff, colleagues, and funding sources in accordance with HC&YDC's Code of Ethics All other duties deemed as necessary by the HC&YDC Administrator PROGRAM SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: STUDENT INTERACTION REQUIREMENTS Assist students in completing instructional assignments Work in small groups with students to provide specialized assistance Eat with children at mealtimes to help and model healthy eating habits MEETINGS REQUIREMENTS Arrange parent-teacher conferences Attend all team meetings, mini-workshops, and professional development sessions PROGRAM QUALITY REQUIREMENTS Responsible for understanding HC&YDC Standards and local regulations Plan and implement learning experiences that advance the intellectual and physical development of children, including improving the readiness of children for school by developing their literary, phonemic, and print awareness, their understanding and use of language, their understanding and use of increasingly complex and varied vocabulary, their appreciation of books, their understanding of early math and early science, their problem-solving abilities, and their approaches to learning Prepare weekly/monthly lesson plans by Thursday for the following week Prep daily and submit weekly daily attendance sheets every Friday Follow the Positive Discipline Policy as set by HC&YDC Administrator Establish and maintain a safe, health learning environment Support the social and emotional development of children Encourage the involvement of families and support the development of relationships between children and their families Maintain anecdotal records for each child Maintain daily open communication with parents via ProCare Keep all appropriate records such as attendance, timesheets, incident reports in all appropriate forms. Attend at least 20 hours annually of professional development that is classroom focused Direct any student with special needs to the appropriate specialist in a timely manner Order supplies as needed, inspect, and discard damaged materials Perform clerical and non-instructional assignments as assigned Prepare bulletin boards to enforce daily assignments Supervise all classroom activities and field trips Keep classroom clean and always organized REPORTING REQUIREMENTS Complete Weekly, Monthly HC&YDC Reports as needed SUPERVISION REQUIREMENTS Conduct employee evaluations annually in accordance with HC&YDC's policies and procedures Create, in consultation with supervisees, a Professional Development Plan and evaluate this plan at least once a year COMMENTS: This description is intended to describe the essential job functions, the general supplemental functions, and the essential requirements for the performance of this job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements of a person so classified. Other functions may be assigned, and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time.