Teacher Assistant
Do you love working with children? Are you looking to make a difference in the life a child? Would you like the opportunity to gain some classroom experience as an Assistant Teacher and work towards teacher certification? If so, we would love to meet you! Then the Valley Opportunity Council is where you want to be! Immediate openings are available for Assistant Teachers within our Early Education and Care Department at our Chicopee, Holyoke and South Hadley sites. Sites are NAEYC accredited. This is an excellent opportunity to work for a well-respected non-profit agency that offers excellent benefits and opportunities to advance your career.
General Description: Work cooperatively with Center Director and classroom teaching team in teaching, program planning and general operations of Center. Assure care and protection of children at the center at all times.
Specific Essential Duties:
- Supervise children in classroom learning activities, both in groups and on an individual basis, including planning and implementing of program curriculum
- Contribute to and follow through on recommendations of social service and educational staff and consultants
- Supervise children at all times
- Responsible for care and use of educational equipment and toys during the school day
- Attend all workshops and/or training sessions as required by EEC, Center Director, or Program
- Participate as a team member in the general operation of the classroom, including cleaning and maintaining the classroom and child care environment to meet EEC and program requirements
- Assist as needed in the food program, including food preparation
- Assist children who receive VOC transportation services to and from the van
- Administer medication to children as prescribed by a physician and in compliance with EEC regulations and VOC Plan for Administration of Medication.
- Provide documentation of successful completion of First Aid and CPR and bi-annual physical, as required by EEC regulations and VOC policies
- Other duties as assigned by supervisor
General Requirements:
- Must complete the Child Growth and Development class and pass with a C or better within 1 year of date of hire
- Must complete 9 months of work experience
- Must have successfully demonstrated ability to fill classroom responsibilities.
- Ability to lift children (up to 60 lbs.) and classroom equipment (such as dividers, playthings) in an appropriate manner as needed
- Ability to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations, where possible, may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks
Benefits:
· First 12 Months employees accrue 2 weeks of vacation.
· After 13 months, you begin to accrue weeks of vacation.
· You accrue 2 weeks of sick leave each year.
· 30 Min Paid Lunch Break.
· 13 Paid Holidays.
- 9 additional paid days off
· Other benefits such as, medical Insurance, In lieu of medical insurance, VOC will provide the lowest cost contributed by the agency towards childcare reimbursement or other benefit products such as AFLAC products & Guardian Life insurance.
· Retirement plan available through Mutual of America, VOC will contribute 2% of your gross pay. If the employee wishes to contribute through employee deductions, he/she may contribute a minimum of 2% of their pay and the agency will add another 1%. Employees are also eligible to start the plan and contribute through payroll deductions after 30 days on the job.
Benefit Conditions:
- Waiting period may apply
- Only full-time employees eligible
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $17.68 per hour
Expected hours: 40 per week
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Work Location: In person
