POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the direction of the Early Learning Center Director, the Substitute Teacher, works alongside the Lead Teacher or Teacher Assistant in the preschool classroom to assist in carrying out daily curriculum plans and supplemental activities to provide a developmentally appropriate and safe environment for the children in their care, ensuring the program meets its intended goals as well as the Association’s goals. This position is on-call for hours as needed Monday-Friday. This position is responsible for ensuring children’s social, physical, spiritual, and mental development in our YMCA preschool. Responsible for assisting with classroom oversight, curriculum delivery and support for daily activities of a preschool-age childcare program, in accordance with the policies, procedures and standards established by the YMCA of Central Virginia and the Va. Dept. of Education childcare licensing division. This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
OUR CULTURE:
Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The Teacher Assistant will be responsible for:
1. Providing support in the classroom, including working with the Lead Teacher or Teacher Assistant to deliver developmentally appropriate learning experiences. Daily lesson plans are provided to follow. Instruction should be intentional and support the development of achievement, relationships, and belonging.
2. Knowledge of early childhood care and ability to teach mixed age groups (3-4 yr olds)
3. Demonstrating effective and appropriate behavior management skills.
4. Assuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations as they relate to program areas, including ADA accommodations where appropriate; ensures that VA State Licensing Standards & YMCA program standards are met, and safety procedures followed.
5. Ability to assume lead teacher duties in case of occasional absence and maintain flexibility.
6. Must be punctual and available for on-call hours.
7. Models relationship-building skills in all interactions; develops and maintains collaborative relationships with staff, parents and caregivers, and community organizations (e.g., state childcare licensing agency, school administration) to maximize program impact and drive overall outcomes; maintains regular, clear, and concise communication within area of responsibility.
8. Must adhere to Virginia childcare licensing standards
9. PROGRAM DELIVERY:
- Responsible for supporting a creative and stimulating environment that is age-appropriate for Pre-school children.
• Participate in scheduled special events for families of participants. • Provide for health and safety of children. Follow all required emergency procedures.
- Follow discipline procedures in line with the YMCA code of conduct and implement as needed.
10. COMMUNICATION:
- Communicate any concerns with center Director.
11. Supervise and be actively involved with children assigned to your activity area. You are responsible for the health and safety of children at all times and know all emergency protocol.
12. Follow entirely regular plans for activities. Both small and large group activities (i.e., circle time/learning time/games & crafts/supervision protocol).
13. Treat all children with dignity and respect. Follow discipline procedures as outlined by The Y Code of Conduct.
14. Act as a professional role model. You are representing the YMCA and our core values daily.
15. Other duties as assigned by the ELC Director
LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:
1. Emotional Maturity: Demonstrates ability to understand and manage emotions effectively in all situations.
2. Communication & Influence: Listens and expresses self effectively and in a way that engages, inspires, and builds commitment to Y’s cause.
3. Critical Thinking & Decision Making: Makes informed decisions based on logic, data, and sound judgment.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- 6 months’ experience working with children in a classroom setting preferred.
- Weekly availability to respond and work on-call with short notice.
- Must complete and pass numerous state required background checks, a TB test, drug test & fingerprinting. (Must be in place prior to working with children)
- Fulfillment of state-specific & DSS Licensing hiring standards/training and completion of YMCA programspecific training.
- Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
- Commitment to inclusion and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
HOURS: FLEXIBLE – AS NEEDED
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- The employee needs sufficient strength, agility, and mobility to perform essential functions and to safely supervise program activities.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee must regularly use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer and phone/smart device.
- The employee frequently is required to sit and reach and must be able to move around the work environment.
- The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
- The YMCA of Central Virginia is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Substance Free Workplace
