Teacher Aide

POSITION SUMMARY

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Under the direction of a fully qualified Teacher (per regulations), the Teacher Aide creates 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 program experience. Provides direction for the children in the classroom and implements program curriculum. Provides a quality experience to children and parents that focuses on building achievement and belonging in youth and relationships among youth and within families.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Nurtures children through purposeful programming dedicated to building achievement and belonging in youth and relationships among youth and within families.
• Maintains close visual supervision of a group of assigned children, following ratios based on specific program.

Licensed Preschool

Infant

1 Teacher to 4 infants

1 Fully Qualified Teacher and 2 Aides to 12 infants

Toddler

1 Teacher to 6 toddlers

1 Fully Qualified Teacher and 1 Aide to 12 toddlers

Preschool 1 Teacher to 12 children

1 Partially Qualified Teacher and 1 Aide to 15 children

1 Fully Qualified Teacher and 1 Aide to 18 children

State Subsidized Preschool (Title 5)

Infant (birth – 18 month)

1:3 adult-child ratio

1:18 teacher-child ratio

Toddlers (18 months-36 months)

1:4 adult-child ratio

1:16 teacher-child ratio

Preschool (36 months – kindergarten)

1:8 adult-child ratio

1:24 teacher-child ratio

Licensed School-Age

1 Teacher to 14 children on site

1 Teacher and 1 Aide to 28 children

1 Teacher to 12 children on field trips

1 Teacher to 6 children for water activities

Teacher Aides cannot be assigned a group. Teacher Aides must work under the supervision of a qualified teacher; a Teacher Aide may never be alone with a group of children with the exception of taking children to and from the restroom.

• No child is left unsupervised or staff alone with a child at any time.
• Help children manage behavior using a positive approach, including proactive strategies, redirection and using constructive discipline with natural and logical consequences.
• Actively supports the YMCA's commitment to inclusion and compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) where appropriate.
• Assist with planning and implementing program curriculum and activities that are culturally relevant, developmentally appropriate, consistent with the YMCA Core Values, and established guidelines.
• Adheres to program standards, including safety and cleanliness standards, maintains site and equipment, and maintains required program records in accordance with Title 22 regulations, funding terms and conditions, and YMCA expectations.
• Make ongoing, systematic observations and evaluations of each child. Communicates with supervisor regarding child's development.
• Cultivate positive relationships and maintains effective communication with parents. Engages parents as volunteers and connects them to the YMCA.
• Set appropriate physical and behavioral limits in order to provide a fun, safe and positive experience for all children while treating the children with respect and dignity.
• Set a positive example of conduct and personal habits.
• Attend and participate in family events, program activities, staff meetings and trainings. 13. Follow YMCA policies and procedures, including those related to medical and disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention and emergencies. Follows reporting procedures and proactively responds to situations to ensure a safe environment for all involved.
• Understand and complies with current federal, state, local regulations, and YMCA policies and procedures at all times.
• Maintain positive relationship with parents, other YMCA team members and community partners. Models relationship-building skills (including Listen First) in all interactions.
• Work directly with qualified teacher; never alone with a group of children (with the exception of taking children to and from the restroom).
• From time to time, you may be assigned as a 1:1 aide for a child who needs special attention or extra guidance. In such situations, your primary job responsibility will be to supervise and guide the child to whom you are assigned. However, if the child to whom you are assigned as a 1:1 aide does not come in on the assigned day and/or comes late to, or leaves early from, the program, you will be expected to perform all of your regularly assigned job functions during such time, including site clean-up.
• Attend staff meetings and trainings, as required.
• Uphold YMCA policies for safety, supervision, mandated reporting and risk management.
• Demonstrate the YMCA Core Values of Caring, Respect, Honesty and Responsibility when working with members, guests, volunteers and fellow staff.
• Demonstrate competencies in, and willingness to develop, in the Cause-Driven Leadership areas of Mission Advancement, Collaboration, Operational Effectiveness and Personal Growth.
• All other duties as assigned.

YMCA LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

The Y's Leadership Competency Model is comprised of 14 Leadership Competencies (leadership knowledge, skills, and behaviors required for success in the Y), organized by the four disciplines of Cause-Driven Leadership:

• Advancing Our Mission & Cause: Provide visionary leadership to the organization and to ensure that all resources are mobilized to adapt to new challenges and needs in the community

• Competencies Include: Change Leadership, Engaging Community, Philanthropy, & Volunteerism

• Building Relationships: Connect people to the Y's cause by developing inclusive relationships, partnerships and collaborations so that Ys can co-create solutions to pressing social needs

• Competencies Include: Collaboration, Communication & Influence, & Inclusion

• Leading Operations: ensure relevance, effectiveness, and sustainability of the organization so that we can continue to fulfill our promise to the community

• Competencies Include: Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Fiscal Management, Functional Expertise, Innovation, & Program/Project Management

• Developing & Inspiring Others: support the holistic development of self and others so that everyone can embrace the Y's cause, sustain the Y's culture, and inspire others to take individual and collective action to further our impact
• Competencies Include: Emotional Maturity & Developing Self & Others

While all competencies are significant, the following are critical to success in this position:

• Engaging Community
• Collaboration
• Critical Thinking & Decision Making
• Developing Self & Others

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

AGE: Eighteen (18) years or older

EDUCATION: High School Diploma or equivalent

ECE/CD UNITS:

• Infant/Toddler/Preschool: Six (6) semester units in ECE or CD or completion of two (2) semester units in ECE or CD and continual progression each semester until six (6) units have been completed.
• School-Age: None.

RELATED EXPERIENCE: Previous experience working with preschool and/or school age children in a group setting (preferred). Ability to plan, organize and implement age- appropriate/developmentally appropriate program activities. Previous experience with diverse populations preferred. Ability to develop positive, authentic relationships with people from different backgrounds.

SPECIALIZED SKILLS: Strong character values (respect, responsibility, honesty, caring); strong communication skills; emotional maturity

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS: Current approved EMSA First Aid; Adult, Infant and Child CPR Certifications (eight (8) hours). Completion of child abuse prevention training prior to first day in program. Basic Water Safety certification for school-age summer programs.

IMMUNIZATION & PHYSICAL: Current TB, influenza (limited exceptions), pertussis, and measles vaccination and physical exam.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/MINIMUM PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• You must have the physical, visual, and auditory ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Ability to plan, lead, and participate in activities.
• Job is performed in indoor as well as outdoor environments throughout the year.
• Job does include water-related activities.
• Ability to lift 30-35 lbs.