Early Childhood Teacher Aide

Summary

The ECE Teacher Aide supports the Lead Teacher in implementing developmentally appropriate early learning practices, with a focus on emergent literacy and language development in an early childhood classroom. The role also assists in fostering a family literacy environment that empowers parents as their first teacher.

Essential Duties

Promoting emergent literacy through play-based activities, reading, music, and language-rich interactions. Supporting children's learning via developmentally appropriate practices. Assisting during Interactive Literacy Activity (ILA) sessions involving parents and children. Helping children develop positive health habits, manners, and appropriate social relationships. Supporting ECE teachers in empowering parents to serve as both teachers and learners for their children. Encouraging language-rich interactions within families. Assisting families in creating text-rich home environments. Helping parents understand their own developmental needs and those of their children. Ensuring the cleanliness and hygiene of all children at all times. Supervising the general welfare and safety of children continuously. Assisting with lunch, snacks, self-help skills, transitions, and daily classroom routines. Supporting early childhood assessments through daily observations and documentation of developmental progress. Performing light housekeeping duties. Maintaining classroom equipment, materials, and supplies to ensure a safe and organized environment. Pursuing professional growth by attending required trainings and workshops. Attending all assigned program staff meetings. Adhering to and reinforcing the program's philosophy, policies, and procedures. Demonstrating knowledge of and compliance with Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and Keystone STARS guidelines. Collaborating cooperatively with all program staff. Performing other tasks as assigned.

• Education and Experience High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Minimum of one year of experience working with children.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Strong communication skills, including active listening, clear written expression, and effective verbal communication.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a demonstrated capacity to identify alternative solutions and resolve issues effectively.
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills, including the ability to evaluate the relative costs and benefits of potential actions and select the most appropriate course.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to operate effectively within established systems and work independently to complete tasks.
• Innovative mindset, with a proactive approach to identifying opportunities for process improvement and implementing creative solutions to enhance effectiveness and efficiency.
• Commitment to confidentiality, with a clear understanding of the importance of protecting sensitive information and restricting its dissemination.
• Effective time management skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks and complete assignments within established deadlines.
• Proficient computer skills, including data entry into databases, spreadsheet manipulation, and word processing functions (e.g., creating, formatting, editing, printing, saving, and retrieving documents).
• Knowledge of conflict resolution principles, including recognition of different conflict styles and stages, as well as effective strategies for de-escalating and resolving disputes.
• All applicants will be required to take and pass a drug screen prior to hiring.