Assistant Teacher Jobs in Chicago, IL

Scope of Responsibilities:

• Supports and models high-quality teaching and learning in the classroom that promotes academic readiness.
• Demonstrates enthusiasm and uses interpersonal skills in order to relate well with children, parents, co-workers, administrators

and the community.

• Maintains awareness and supervision of the needs of all children and ensures their health and physical safety, at all times.
• Interacts and assists children individually or in small groups in order to guide and reinforce learning concepts.
• Supports the Lead Teacher in planning for at least two parent/teacher conferences per program year.
• Identifies different instructional resources and methods to meet children’s varying needs.
• Organizes and supervises games and other activities to promote physical, mental and social development.
• Guides and supports all children, including dual language learners and those with special needs.
• Demonstrates culturally and linguistically appropriate practices that values all children and families and makes them feel welcomed

and an essential part of the program.

• Models and promotes appropriate grammar, language, positive interactions and discipline and interactions for children and

parents.

• Establishes a professional rapport and works cooperatively with adults assigned to the classroom (i.e., Teacher, Aide, Parents, and

Volunteers), establishing clear expectations for roles and responsibilities.

• Develops effective partnerships with families and encourages parent involvement through a variety of methods (e.g., classroom

parent meetings & events, center-wide activities).

• Annually completes at least thirty clock hours of professional development, through participation in offered trainings, workshops,

in-service days, all staff conferences and maintain log of professional development requirements, including documents supporting
completion.

• Reports and maintains a log of professional development requirements, including documents supporting completion through the

Gateways Registry system.

• Utilizes continuous quality improvement (CQI) strategies to improve the classroom experience for children and families.
• Participates and supports agency/center efforts toward recruitment, enrollment, attendance and retention of families.

Lesson Planning and Classroom Management

• Collaborates with the Lead Teacher to develop lesson plans with goals, objectives, activities and outcomes for children that

integrate health, nutrition, mental health, disabilities and parent involvement.

• Assists the Lead Teacher in implementation of high quality, developmentally appropriate curriculum approaches (like Creative

Curriculum™) while ensuring the program follows DCFS, YMCA, ExceleRate Illinois™, and NAEYC accreditation standards, if
applicable.

• Plans, prepares and delivers age-appropriate instructional activities that facilitate active learning experiences and promotes the

social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of each child. Takes the lead in absence of the lead teacher.

• With the support of the Lead Teacher, uses observational and child data to assist in planning developmentally appropriate and

engaging early learning experiences based upon the emergent needs of the child.

• Assists the Lead Teacher in planning and adapting the early learning environment using researched based tools (like CLASS, ERS

and Rosie) and children’s interests to maximize their experiences.

• Supports and implements planned studies/projects for an in-depth investigation of a topic over time, based upon children’s

interest and experiences.

• Helps to create an inclusive classroom environment that will integrate and assist children with special needs.
• Participates in planning and implementation of developmentally age appropriate indoor/outdoor activities that will enhance the

social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of each child.

• Gathers, arranges and displays children’s work to help develop perceptual skills and in a manner appropriate for their eye level.
• Ensures routines such as toileting, hand washing and meals are handled promptly and consistently within state and local

regulations.

• Establishes and maintains an attractive, clean, safe and engaging classroom environment which includes positive guidance

techniques and that encourages children's independence and self-selection of activities.

• Models and implements family style eating during mealtimes, if applicable.
• Regularly sanitize all surfaces, classroom toys, equipment and laundry.
• Assists with classroom management, arrangement, organization, and labeling materials.
• Assumes joint share of classroom team to maintain a safe, clean, environment, and practice good personal hygiene and frequent

hand washing.

• Assists with completion of classroom inventory quarterly; and the selection of materials and equipment to support instruction and

children’s learning using environmental assessments to guide decisions.

• Issues and changes furnishings and materials to maintain and encourage new learning based upon children’s interests.

Evaluations, Assessments, and Reports

• Timely and accurately administers required screening
• Observes, documents and assesses children’s health, skills, behavior, growth and development.
• Follows the established system for collecting and managing daily/weekly observations of children.
• Take pictures and maintain anecdotal notes, written observations, and other approved forms of documentation for each child.
• Maintains documentation of each child’s progress and growth according to established guidelines.
• Inputs classroom data into appropriate information systems, as required.
• Adheres to timelines and completes child assessment information, at least four times annually.
• Completes all necessary paperwork for classroom activities including attendance and meal count sheets, as applicable.
• Assumes joint share of the classroom team to maintain and ensure accurate and up to date child enrollment files and portfolios

for each child.

• Observes and respects issues of confidentiality.

Minimum and Preferred Requirements

• Associate’s Degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education or Early Childhood Special Education or equivalent
• Must have 1-3 years’ experience working in a child care program preferably with children 6 weeks - 5 years old. (this requirement

may be fulfilled through a practicum or student teaching); excellent oral and written communication skills

• Must demonstrate basic reading, writing, and communication skills at a level consistent with entry into college training programs.
• Passion and commitment to the YMCA’s mission and vision for early learning
• Must be registered in Illinois’ Gateway Registry within 90 days of employment and participate in ongoing professional

development as required by role and/or program

• Must be willing to complete a fingerprint background check and provide proof of current immunizations and related medical

records per program requirements