Classroom Instructor

GOODWILL GULF COAST

Department: Children and Family Services Supervised by: Center Director

Supervises: N/A Status: Hourly, Non-Exempt

Mission Contribution: Strengthens families by providing a safe and nurturing environment for children.

Function: To provide basic care, special instruction, and educational services to children enrolled in Child Development Center or participating in Family Support Services at the CDC.

Essential Functions:

• Provides loving, consistent, nurturing and safe learning environment that promotes acceptance and increases confidence and self-esteem for all children, including an understanding of any special needs they may have.
• Prepares and implements assigned curriculum each day and provides a structured learning environment for children including goals and activities recommended on the child's IEP/IFSP if applicable. Prepares and displays weekly lesson plans for the benefit of parents and support staff.
• Prepares, serves, and assists children in feeding of snacks and meals and follows procedures for USDA Childcare Food Program if applicable.
• Diapers, toilets, and assists children in potty training as needed/scheduled. Works with child's family to meet this goal as appropriate.
• Maintains a clean, orderly, and child-friendly classroom and diaper-changing area. Includes safe and responsible handling of supplies, materials, and equipment, appropriate and stimulating physical arrangement, and appropriate display of children's artwork and bulletin boards.
• Completes daily cleaning duties in classroom (including daily sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, disinfecting tables, chairs, toys, changing table, washing dishes, utensils, emptying trash and diaper pail). Completes other cleaning duties as assigned.
• Follows assigned schedule for lunch and kitchen duties/clean-up duties for the center.
• Maintains clear communication with parents and program staff through daily reports, monthly and/or quarterly reports of progress for assigned children, and provides other information as required, requested, or scheduled.
• Understands and consistently implements appropriate behavior management techniques with children throughout the daily routine including those with special behavioral or developmental needs.
• Provides appropriate support for special education or early intervention services including ongoing assessment of each child's strengths, needs, and developmental progress. Reports observations to supervisor, parents, and other team members and follows recommendations of therapists for proper carryover within classroom setting and routines.
• Stays informed of program information by reading daily news, minutes of staff meetings, monthly newsletters, and other memos distributed through the office and main center. In addition, participates in scheduled meetings and in-service trainings.
• Observes all safety procedures and personnel policies.
• Adhere to a Monday Friday schedule and occasional evenings and weekends as scheduled.
• Regular attendance as outlined in Goodwill's policy, is required.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Acts as a positive role model for employees and trainees in all aspects of professional performance.
• Must be able to market Goodwill and explain the mission to the general public.
• Must be able to keep information confidential.
• Must be able to read, write, and communicate clearly in English.
• Must be able to maintain an effective working relationship with team members and coworkers and be able to interact with a variety of people.
• Ability to function in a hectic work environment with occasional periods of high stress.
• Must obtain CPR certification and food handlers permit annually, and other training requirements in accordance with DHR personnel standards for licensed childcare centers.
• Must have a valid driver's license for at least 3 years, liability automobile insurance and be insurable through the agency's insurance carrier.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must pass a drug screen, including random drug testing as required by the Drug Free Workplace policy.

Experience and Education Requirements:

• Classroom Instructor I - High school diploma/GED with at least 2 years experience in a childcare setting.
• Classroom Instructor II - Associate degree in Early Childhood Education with a minimum of six semester hours specifically related to infant/toddlers or Pre K or Infant/Toddler or Preschool Child Development Associate (CDA) with at least two years experience in a childcare setting.
• Classroom Instructor III - Bachelor's degree in early childhood education with at least 2 years experience in childcare setting.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to use hands, fingers and wrists, repetitively while using computer keyboard.
• Must be able to occasionally spend 2 to 4 hours a day in strenuous physical activity.
• Must be able to stand, bend, sit on the floor, stoop, walk, talk, hear, use hands to grip, and reach with arms, and carry items weighing up to 40 lbs.

Critical Performance Factors:

• Respects the individuality of each child and shows sensitivity to, and acceptance of, each child's feelings and needs.
• Provides attentive supervision of children at all times and ensures that an authorized adult is always present.
• Ensures that children experience a nurturing environment and learning activities are developmentally appropriate and engaging.
• Implements a positive approach to behavior management which includes setting simple, clear, and consistent guidelines for behavior while providing assistance and support.
• Is knowledgeable of the Department of Human Resources Minimum Standards for daycare centers and complies with guidelines.
• Respectfully and clearly communicates pertinent information to co-workers, parents, and service providers on a daily and/or weekly basis.
• Maintains integrity at all times by immediately reporting suspicions of child abuse or neglect, coworker inappropriate conduct, and all other instances of behavior deemed unacceptable within Goodwill's Children and Family Services Policies.

Working Conditions:

This work will be performed in a pre-school classroom setting, requiring walking, standing, bending, and carrying of items weighing up to 40 lbs. At times while performing the duties of the job, the employee will be required to sit on the floor, stand, stoop, bend, walk, talk, hear, use hands to grip, type, and reach with arms. Occasionally spend 2 to 4 hours a day in strenuous physical activity.

High School diploma or GED required, Clear background check, clear CA/N check, experience required.

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