TEACHER ASSISTANT/FLOATER

FirstStepNYC at P.S/I.S. 41 is a high quality birth-5 early childhood center collocated at P.S./I.S.41, a K-8 elementary school in one of the most at-risk neighborhoods - Brownsville, Brooklyn. The model affords an exceptional, groundbreaking opportunity to change the life paths of New York City’s most vulnerable, at-risk children and tackle the achievement gap before it begins. This unique public-private partnership brings together the NYC Department of Education (DOE), NYC Administration for Children Services (ACS), SCO Family of Services, and a wide range of local organizations. FirstStepNYC, a demonstration project with an emphasis on both early childhood and adult leadership development, will advance citywide efforts to ensure all children enter kindergarten on a path to be college and career ready by the time they graduate our schools.

Position: Infant Toddler Assistant Teacher/ Floater – FirstStepNYC

Department: Early Childhood

Location: Brownsville, New York

Hours: 35 Hours/Week; Exempt

Reports to: Teacher

RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Contribute to the planning, implementation and coordination of the comprehensive education program

· Support the classroom teacher in ensuring that the education program is developmentally appropriate and meets the individual needs of the children

· Support the classroom teacher in providing early learning experiences in social-emotional development, literacy, language, mathematics, sciences, social studies, physical education, fine arts, foreign language, and other subject matter suited to the needs of children

· Assist in planning and implementing individual educational plans for children, which supports their development socially, intellectually, linguistically, physically, and emotionally in a manner appropriate to their age and stage of development

· Assists the teachers with the preparation of developmentally appropriate classroom environment and materials for planned activities in the indoor and outdoor environment.

· Position themselves strategically in all indoor and outdoor environments to actively engage children, provide optimal supervision, and facilitate play

· Assists the children with behavior management and self-regulation during classroom activities.

· Assist classroom teachers, with guidance, with the implementation of each child’s Individualized Family Service Plan or Individualized Education Plan when applicable.

· Assist with entering and maintaining classroom and child data

· Regularly meet with classroom teacher and the Education Director to review classroom and child data, develop action plans, and support goal achievement through active collaboration

· Identify any developmental concerns for children and share the information with the classroom teacher

· Collaborate with teaching team to complete weekly lesson plans

· Assist with monitoring attendance of children in the classroom.

· Collaborate with the family engagement specialist and other FirstStepNYC personnel to promote individual children's goals relating to communication skills, health habits, physical skills, development of self-awareness, and early literacy

· Develop effective partnerships with families by maintaining open communication and encouraging their input in the educational program

· Participate in reflective supervision with the classroom teacher and/or Education Director

· Attend and participate in all scheduled trainings, engage in coaching cycles with classroom teacher, and develop individual plans for own professional development

· Implement all programming requirements in adherence to all performance outcome standards as prescribed by the multiple funding and model requirements

· Maintain a safe and healthy classroom environment; conduct daily health and environment checks; ensure that classroom equipment, furniture, materials, and supplies are properly maintained and stored

· Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

· High School Diploma required. Associates degree and Bachelor's degree preferred.

· Knowledge of principles and practices of early childhood education and family involvement

· Early childhood program and/or policy experience preferred

· Ability to participate in and utilize reflective supervision

· Ability to communicate in a manner that demonstrates and fosters cooperation, respect, concern and openness to change

· Advanced command of the English language and grammar, both verbal and written

· Ability to meet deadlines, stay well organized and work under pressure. Ability to prioritize

· Experience working successfully in multi-cultural environments serving vulnerable or underserved populations preferred

· Proficiency in multiple software applications, including most Microsoft Office products.

· Commitment to the mission and programs of SCO Family of Services

· Possess a strong belief in people’s ability to grow and change; forge a mutually respectful partnership with persons served and their families

· Have a willingness to learn and implement current approaches in the Early Childhood Development field

· Team player