Associate Teacher - CA State Preschool Program

*JOB TITLE*: Associate Teacher *DEPARTMENT:* Early Childhood Education *PROGRAM:* CSPP *STATUS: *Full Time - Non-Exempt *REPORTS TO*: ECE Manager *HOURS PER WEEK: *40 *TERM: *12 Months *The Organization:* Human Services Association (HSA) is a private nonprofit agency whose principal mission is to provide families with compassionate and comprehensive care to promote wellness and build strong communities.
HSA was founded in Bell Gardens in 1940 and today, HSA serves over 20,000 clients annually on a non-sectarian basis with a range of services that addresses the unique and shared needs of clients of all ages.
*Program Overview:* Our Early Childhood Education Department provides services to 800 children over three distinct programs (Early Head Start, Head Start and State Preschool) at ten school sites.
The California _*State Preschool*_ Program provides a pre-school experience for children ages 3 to 5 in the cities of South Gate and Huntington Park.
The _*Early Head Start*_Program is a federally funded program that provides a home based and center based program for pregnant women and children ages 0-3 that reside in zip codes of 90201 and 90280.
The _*Head Start*_ Program offers a comprehensive child development program for low-income preschoolers ages three to five years old that reside in zip code 90280.
*Position Summary:* Under the supervision of the ECE Manager, the *Associate Teacher*, assists in the implementation of program curriculum and school readiness activities.
Provides direct supervision of children and ensures children’s health & safety at all times.
Ensures all program activities in all service areas and ensure the program meets or exceeds funding source requirements based on the performance standards, Title 22, and title V regulations.
Adheres and complies with program regulations and other relevant regulations in all ECE programs.
*Duties and Responsibilities:* · Plan and implement activities focusing on school readiness goals for the children and using the High/Scope Curriculum as directed by the Teacher and/or Lead Teacher.
· Supervise and coordinate curriculum activities for a group of children, as assigned by the Teacher and/or Lead Teacher.
· Provide on-going supervision of indoor and outdoor play areas (sight & sound at all times) · Assist in the development of lesson plans and learning goals for the children in the class.
· Assist in maintaining daily records, tracking student progress and intervene to help students progress, as necessary.
· Assist with the required paperwork such as lesson plans, observations, meal counts, health and safety check, and all classrooms activities.
· Record observations of children as supporting documentation for children’s assessments · Foster a positive and collaborative learning environment utilizing the Conscious Discipline curriculum where the unique needs of all students are met · Arrange educational activities/environment indoors and outdoors and supervise the children at all times including mealtime · Follow a consistent schedule that meets individual needs, including small and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, skill development, meals, and effective transitions between activities.
· Encourage experimentation, exploration, problem solving, cooperation, socialization, and choice making.
· Ensure the indoor and outdoor classroom environment meets standards for health and safety and maintained clean and sanitized at all times.
· Ensures the health and safety of all children and parents in the program.
· Conducts and coordinates small group and large group activities.
· Assist the children with physical, emotional needs and overall development.
· Work with Disabilities staff in the classroom to develop a collaborative approach that benefits all children in the classroom and meets the needs as specified on the IFSP/IEP.
· Actively participate in all activities.
· Conduct daily health checks of each child.
· Assist in the implementation of nutrition and health activities and complete meal counts.
· Report to work at scheduled times and maintain good attendance.
· Participate with a positive attitude and behavior in all program activities.
· Model the Standard of Conduct Policy when interacting with parents, community members and Colleagues · In accordance with our "team" philosophy, the person filling this position may occasionally be required to carry out or assist with other tasks in addition to the duties listed on this job description · Staff must believe in and act in accordance with both the Agency's and the program's mission/vision statements, adopted theoretical frameworks, and philosophy.
· Identify and report any suspected incidents of child abuse (following the Mandated Reporter Guidelines) · Communicates with children, families and other staff in respectful and culturally sensitive manner · Maintains confidentiality of children, families and employees of HSA · Works as member of agency team by promoting the mission and philosophy of HSA · Represents HSA at community and professional functions, as needed.
· Attend department, agency, and community meetings and trainings, as assigned.
Continue professional growth by participating in classes, training programs, workshops and/or conferences, as the budget allows.
· Willing to work evenings, weekends and to travel locally and out of the service area for trainings.
· Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor and/or Department Director *Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:* · Knowledge and experience working with Head Start Performance Standards, Title V, Title 22, CACFP Regulations and other State and Federal Regulations with some knowledge in the implementation of education program policies and procedures; experience with licensing requirements and guidelines.
· Knowledge of child growth and development.
· Work effectively with individuals of diverse educational, socio-economic, and cultural backgrounds, and those with disabilities and special needs.
· Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals · Ability to organize priorities and meet deadlines · Mediation, negotiation and conflict resolution skills · Effective oral and written communication skills · Bilingual (English/Spanish) Preferred *Education and Experience:* · Associate of Art (AA) degree in Early Childhood Education (including 3 Infant/Toddler Units) or a related field, _preferred_ · Minimum one (1) year of experience working with preschool children, infants and toddlers.
*OR* · At least 24 units of ECE (Core Courses, including 3 Infant/Toddler Units) · Minimum three (3) years of experience working with preschool children, infants and toddlers.
*Licensing/Certification Requirements:* · Possess or meet requirements for Associate Teacher Permit or higher.
*· Occasional driving is required.
* *· Must provide own vehicle, valid California driver license and proof of full insurance coverage.
* *· First Aid certification, Child CPR certification.
* *· Health screening:* *o Physical* *o Negative tuberculosis screen (TB)(required).
* *o TDAP or DTAP clearance (required)* *o MMR Clearance (required)* *· Must pass criminal background check including LiveScan (fingerprinting)* *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 or that an employee encounters while performing the essential function of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
* The majority of the job duties are performed within a classroom setting which includes but is not limited to the following: classroom set-up (in-door & out-door), documentation (input observations into DRDP Learning Genie), preparing meals, if needed, and ongoing child supervision (by sight & sound).
These tasks require the following physical demands, which include but are not limited to constant walking, bending; occasional lifting (25 pounds), pushing, squatting and climbing stairs (as needed).
The employee will complete required documentation in the office, a location with moderate noise levels that is a non-smoking facility.
*Human Services Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities* Job Type: Full-time Pay: $20.
00 - $23.
00 per hour Benefits: * 401(k) * 401(k) matching * Dental insurance * Employee assistance program * Health insurance * Life insurance * Paid time off * Parental leave * Retirement plan * Vision insurance Schedule: * 8 hour shift * Monday to Friday Application Question(s): * Are you willing to get a Live Scan (Background Clearance)? * How many Infant/Toddler units for Early Childhood Education have you completed? * If you do not have an Associate Teacher Permit, how many units have you completed to possess the permit? Education: * Associate (Preferred) Experience: * working with preschool children, infants, and toddlers: 1 year (Required) License/Certification: * CA Driver's License (Required) * Associate Teacher Permit (Required) Work Location: In person