As one of the nation's most effective early childhood schools, we ensure young children have the best possible chance for success in life. Our approach extends beyond the classroom to help children, families and neighborhoods thrive.
Educare Lincoln is a year-round program serving children from birth through preschool.
The Associate Teacher works cooperatively with the Lead Teacher to plan and implement the daily education program for the children. Under the supervision of the Master Teacher, and Lead Teacher, the Associate Teacher will ensure the education program is developmentally appropriate meeting the individual needs of children as well as program standards of Educare of Lincoln, Head Start/Early Head Start, Sixpence, the Nebraska Department of Education and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). In the absence of the Lead Teacher, the Associate Teacher takes responsibility for the management of the classroom.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND KEY TASKS:
• Observe, assess and document each assigned child's health, skills, behavior, growth and development.
• Provide opportunities for children to develop positive self-images and experience success.
• As assigned, develop an individualized educational plan for each child.
• Contribute information for child and family staffing.
• As assigned, coordinate referrals for children with special needs or mental health needs with the Master Teacher.
• Foster positive relationships with all children in the classroom
• Maintain an attractive and stimulating learning environment and encourage child's independence and self-selection of activities.
• Ensure that all children are under appropriate supervision and guidance at all times.
• Maintain a clean, safe and healthy classroom environment.
• Assist with the timely completion of necessary paperwork, including developmental assessments, lesson plans, newsletters, incident reports, etc.
• Assist in the planning and implementation of developmentally appropriate classroom activities that will enhance the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of each child.
• Assist in the development of lesson plans with goals, objectives, activities and outcomes for children and participate in implementing them intentionally.
• Assist in the integration of other areas, i.e., health, nutrition, mental health, disabilities and parent involvement, into the education plan.
• Develop effective relationships with parents through regular informal conversations.
• As assigned by the Teacher, communicate with parents regularly about their child's progress.
• As assigned, participate in home visits with each child's family to clarify child and family needs.
• Encourage parent participation in program activities and in implementing education activities for their children at home.
• Develop effective partnerships with parents by encouraging input into all aspects of the educational program.
To qualify as an Associate Teacher, you need to have these qualifications -
• Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development; or
• Bachelor's Degree in a related area with a minimum of 30 credits of college level coursework to include 18 credits of Early Childhood coursework and an additional 12 credits earned from a related area. Related areas can include, but are not limited to, child development, early childhood curriculum, early childhood assessment, psychology, family development, social work and children's literature. It is up to each prospective employee to provide Educare with information on the college courses taken and to demonstrate that the courses address early childhood education or child development.
• A minimum of six months experience teaching in an early childhood program.
• Knowledge of curriculum, principles and best practices of early childhood education
• Ability and willingness to remain abreast of developments in the child development/early childhood education field to enhance professional growth and development.
• Willingness to participate in Educare's commitment to continuously review, analyze and apply findings from local and national evaluations to current program design.
• Knowledge of state child care licensing requirements
• Ability to work within an interdisciplinary team as a cooperative and supportive team member.
• Ability to establish supportive relationships and form an alliance with staff and families from diverse backgrounds on behalf of children
• Ability to effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, in a manner that demonstrates and fosters cooperation, respect, concern and openness to change
• Ability to take, or think about the perspective of others and demonstrate self-awareness of one's own culture, beliefs, and values
• Ability to physically interact with children including the ability to walk or run quickly, kneel or sit on floor, bend and lift, walk over rough or uneven ground, while in or outside of facility.
APPLY for this great opportunity TODAY!
Educare Lincoln is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer.