Williamsport YMCA·Towanda, Pennsylvania
The Assistant Teacher supports the Lead Teacher in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate activities to promote children's cognitive, social, and physical growth. Responsibilities include maintaining a safe, clean classroom environment and fostering positive communication with families and staff.
The Assistant Teacher functions as an integral part of the teaching team assisting with the planning and implementation of a developmentally appropriate daily program of activities promoting each child’s affective, cognitive, physical, perceptual-motor, communicative and social competence. Work is performed under the close supervision of the Lead Teacher and involves sharing the responsibilities pertinent to ensuring the safe and healthful care and management of enrolled children. Involvement includes maintaining contact and open communication with parents, program staff and community resources. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Assists in establishing and maintaining a safe and healthful learning environment: 1. Assists in maintaining an efficient, well-arranged classroom including interest areas that provide direction and a sense of organization. 2. Keeps equipment and materials in good repair and stored in a safe, orderly fashion. 3. Cleans and sanitizes toys and cots weekly and other times as needed. 4. Assists in providing materials and activities appropriate for the children’s developmental progress and individual learning styles. 5. Assists in planning for a multi-sensory classroom environment (visual, auditory, tactile, etc) 6. Assists in supporting children’s social-emotional development and providing positive guidance. 7. Assists in providing children with opportunities for success through individual, small group and large group activities, including free play. 8. Involves children in all phases of self-help training (dressing, toileting, handwashing, eating, etc). 9. Utilizes appropriate group management techniques. 10. Eats with children modeling proper table manners and sharing the same menu . 11. Encourages daily health routines with children including tooth brushing and hand washing. 12. Provides adequate supervision ensuring the safety of active children. 13. Maintains emergency information and initiates emergency action when necessary. 14. Assists in curriculum planning that includes multi-cultural and multi-ethnic materials, displays, and activities. 15. Assists in providing educational opportunities through individualized hands-on food experiences that integrate curriculum areas into nutrition (reading readiness, science, math, language, etc). 16. Provides guidance in nutritional experiences including family style meals (self-service, passing, pouring, table setting, table cleaning, etc). Assists in establishing positive and productive communication with families: 17. Assists in maintaining contact with parents through verbal and written communication, posted information, etc. 18. Speaks with families in a friendly, courteous, and respectful manner. Carries out supplementary and planning responsibilities: 19. Provides input into daily curriculum. 20. Maintains accurate, up-to-date records (children's files, time sheets attendance, meal participation forms, inventories, etc.). 21. Helps with maintaining cleanliness of classroom (washes tables before and after snack, sweeps floor, cleans up any spills promptly, etc.) 22. Attends and participates in monthly staff meetings. 23. Prepares classroom materials, bulletin boards, learning centers, etc. 24. Assumes responsibility of classroom in supervisor’s absence. 25. Reports immediately any child suspected of being abused to the Director. 26. Follows appropriate dress code set forth by the agency. 27. Completes required number of training hours annually. 28. Adheres to policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook and Policy and Procedure Manual.
1. High School Diploma or General Education Certificate and two (2) years work experience related to the care and development of children. 2. Compliance with Act 33, to include documentation of Child Abuse History (Form CY-113) and Criminal History (Form SP4-164) and FBI fingerprinting. 3. Biannual physical examination and initial TB (Mantoux) Test and freedom from any infectious or communicable disease. 4. Ability to work with and relate well to young children and coworkers. 5. Ability to supervise adults when necessary. 6. Successfully complete the New Staff Orientation. 7. At least 18 years of age. 8. CPR, First Aid, AED certifications and Child Abuse mandated reporter training within 30 days of hire date. 9. Ability to plan, organize and implement age-appropriate/developmentally appropriate program activities. 10. Previous experience with diverse populations. Ability to develop positive, authentic relationships with people from different backgrounds.
Market context
Assistant teacher roles in Pennsylvania early learning centers are often competitive because employers look for reliable classroom support, child care experience, and quick completion of required clearances and certifications. This posting is AI-summarized from the original job description, so the requirements and benefits shown here can save you time when comparing openings. If you are considering applying, confirm your child care experience and be ready to complete CPR, First Aid, and mandated reporting within 30 days of hire.