Job Title

POSITION SUMMARY: This position provides direct supervision of a group of children in licensed Before and Afterschool Enrichment or Early Learning program. Assistant Teachers create positive, nurturing relationships with children, while building cooperative relationships with parents/caregivers. Promotes and supports the potential of all youth in programs and facilitates peer-to-peer connections as part of the overall child experience. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Child/ Youth Growth & Development * Identifies and responds to individual differences in personalities, temperaments, development, learning styles, and culture. * Promotes growth and development using appropriate services and resources. Learning Environments & Curriculum * Supports developmentally appropriate learning environments and curriculum implementation * Provides an engaging, physically and emotionally safe, and inclusive environment to encourage play, exploration, and learning * Provides a safe learning environment where all children and youth can explore and develop cognitive, social, emotional, and physical motor skills. * Guides children and youth in expressing their feelings and asserting themselves in socially acceptable ways. * Helps children and youth communicate and get along with others in a safe and inclusive environment * Support the diverse needs, abilities and interests of all participants Observation & Assessment * Identifies children and youth as individuals and acknowledges that individuals develop at their own pace. * Maintains confidentiality regarding observation and assessment information. * Assists with the collection of information about growth, development, and learning. Interactions with Youth * Provides a supportive environment in which children and youth can learn and practice appropriate and acceptable behaviors. * Provides individual guidance and support using appropriate methods, services, and resources. Youth Engagement * Supports active participation of children and youth in the program. * Develops relationships with children and youth while respecting cultural and ability differences in participation style. * Foster critical thinking, decision-making, problem-solving, and goal-setting skills * Maintains appropriate emotional and physical boundaries between children, youth, and adults. * Values cultural differences in children, youth, and families Family Engagement * Communicates respectfully and positively with families from a variety of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. * Develops and maintains open, friendly, cooperative, and respectful relationships with families. * Contributes to positive relationships between school and the afterschool program. Safety & Wellness * Follows all health and safety regulations and policies. * Identifies, documents, and reports suspected child abuse and neglect as mandated by law. * Responds calmly and effectively to a crisis. * Recognizes and maintains safe indoor and outdoor areas. * Supports the nutritional needs and healthy eating practices of children and youth. * Models healthy lifestyle practices. Program planning * Supports and implements the program's weekly lesson plans. Professional Development and Leadership * Promotes professionalism using appropriate skills, services, and resources. * Improves teaching and learning through professional work habits. * Performs other duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS: Education * High school Diploma or GED required Experience: * 1 year of experience working with children in a licensed child care center preferred. * PREVIOUS experience working with diverse populations preferred. Certification(s) and Requirements: * CPR and First Aid certification and Safety training required within 30 days of hire. * At least 18 years old. Technical Skills and Knowledge: * Demonstrate commitment to the mission, cause of the YMCA, and uphold its values and ethics. * Ability to work effectively work with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions and perceptions * Willingness and ability to be a mandated reporter for any signs or suspicion of child abuse and neglect. All employees are required to follow the child abuse and neglect reporting process: completion of Suspected Child Abuse/Neglect reporting form, calling children protective services (696-Kids) and notifying your immediate supervisor, branch executive, risk management and human resources department (s).