Nature-Based ECE - Teacher Assistant (part-time)

Job Description

Job Description
Summary

$300 sign on bonus** This is a part-time hourly teaching position for 16 hours per week, from 8am to 4pm - Tuesday and Friday. We are seeking a Teacher Assistant for the Preschool (3-5 years) classroom. This person must be flexible and approachable. Must have knowledge and passion for working with young children and value being outdoors with nature. This person is responsible for supporting the class through transitions, dressing, meals, and playing with the kids! Relationships are of the utmost importance, and we are looking for someone who can connect and communicate effectively with teachers, children, and their parents. Must understand children's cognitive, social, emotional and physical development in order to ensure a safe and stimulating classroom environment where children are actively engaged and challenged.

Duties

• This position will serve in a supportive role for preschool classroom.
• Assist the classroom by maintaining a warm and nurturing relationship with children, supporting an environment that stimulates curiosity and celebrates diversity, and participating in a dynamic, child-centered curriculum that is grounded in hands-on exploration and play.
• Participate in individual and group age-appropriate activities to actively engage children and encourage social, cognitive and emotional growth.
• Ensure a healthy classroom environment - including maintaining appropriate hygiene and cleanliness standards and safety and security of children.
• Maintain an individual professional development plan (IPDP) to ensure continuous personal growth.

Requirements

Teacher Assistant -- A teacher assistant is at least eighteen (18) years of age, is a high school graduate or has completed a GED, and meets one (1) of the following qualifications:

• At least a Vermont Early Childhood Career Ladder Level One (1) or Two (2) Certificate; or
• At least a current CDA (Child Development Associate) and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or
• At least a State Board of Education approved Human Services Program Certificate that emphasizes child development or early childhood education and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or
• At least successful completion of the Fundamentals for Early Childhood Professionals' course or the Vermont Afterschool Essentials Certificate and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or
• At least successful completion of a three (3) college credit course in child or human development or a three (3) college credit course for school age care and education and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger.

IF YOU ARE UNSURE OF YOUR QUALIFICATIONS WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO APPLY -- WE CAN HELP YOU TO UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, AND FOR CANDIDATES THAT SHOW GREAT POTENTIAL, WE ARE ABLE TO APPLY FOR A VARIANCE FROM THE CHILD DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
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• Minimum of 12 months relevant work experience
• Ability to work well with others (staff, children, and parents) and to foster a team environment.
• A strong understanding of child development.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Infant Child CPR and First Aid certification (can obtain training.
• Must be able to clear a full background check and must pass health screening.
• Must be able to lift 35 lbs.
• Appreciation for all types of weather, including: cold, wet, muddy, snow

Benefits

• Sick time: Forty (40) hours of sick time for the year
• Five (5) weeks of paid vacation, during school breaks/vacations
• Schedule - Old School follows the South Burlington School District calendar. These are paid vacation weeks.
• Closed five (5) weeks of the year for vacation breaks: Thanksgiving, Early Winter, Winter, Spring, and Early Summer, and End of Summer week-long vacation breaks
• Closed five (5) holidays: Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples, MLK, Memorial, Juneteenth
• Ten (10) in-service days across the year
• $600 annually towards professional development costs
• $100 annually towards outdoor gear of your own choosing

About Us

Helping children foster early and meaningful relationships with the environment and their community is what we do. Old School's classroom are outdoors as much as indoors. Our location at Ascension Lutheran Church (95 Allen Road) in South Burlington boasts access to 8 acres of forest for unique outdoor learning opportunities. Nature provides the challenges and stimulation children need to grow, with guidance from thoughtful and supportive educators.