opportunities

 

teacher assistant

This position assists the lead teaching staff of the Child Development Center programs serving children ages 3 – 5.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

 

• Assist teachers and group leaders in maintaining order and safety in the classroom, on field trips and during all other hours of operation of the program.

• Assist lead teacher in the preparation of lesson plans and activities and plan assigned teaching area with lead teacher to coordinate instructional efforts.

• Assist students, individually or in groups, with lesson assignments to present or reinforce learning concepts.

• Help children develop habits of caring for own clothing and picking up and putting away toys and books; instruct children in practices of personal cleanliness and self-care; observe children to detect signs of ill health or emotional disturbance.

• Assist cook in the serving of meals and refreshments to children.

• Confer with parents on progress of students.

• Be available and responsive to children.
  • Speak with children in a friendly, positive, courteous manner.
  • Reassure crying children.
  • Listen to children with attention and respect.
  • Respond to children’s questions and requests.
  • Be aware of the activities of the entire group even when dealing with a smaller group; staff position themselves strategically and look up often from involvement.
  • Spend time observing each child without interrupting an actively involved child.

 

• Encourage children of all ages to use language and include child in conversations; describe actions, experiences, and respond to children’s comments and suggestions.

• Treat children of all races, religions, family backgrounds, and cultures with equal respect and  consideration and provide children of both sexes with equal opportunities to take part in all activities.

• Set clear, consistent, fair limits for classroom behavior and in the case of older children, help them set their own limits.

• Anticipate and eliminate potential problems, redirecting children to more acceptable behavior or activity and guide children to resolve conflicts and model skills that help children to solve their own problems.

• Intervene quickly when children’s responses to each other become physically aggressive, discuss the inappropriateness of such action, and help children to develop more positive strategies to solve conflicts.

• Encourage children to verbalize feelings and ideas, including both positive and negative emotions.  For example, supply words for very young children to describe feelings; discuss alternative solutions with children 2 years and older.

• Recognize and encourage prosocial behaviors among children, such as cooperation, helping taking turns, talking to solve problems, and concern for others.  Teachers support children’s beginning friendships and provide opportunities for children to learn from each other as well as adults.

 

 

Qualifications: Must be 18 years of age with CDA, or early childhood/childcare certificate or be enrolled in a community college and/or university level class in a certificate/degree program; or have a degree in a related field with six months or more related child care experience.

 

To Apply: Qualified and interested persons may download and complete the Employment Application and submit it to the YWCA (cover letter and resume are optional):  

• Via e-mail
• Via fax to 804-643-0734
• Via mail to:

                  YWCA of Richmond

                  6 North 5th Street

                  Richmond, VA 23219

                  RE:  Employment