CENTER FOR EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE
University of Massachusetts Amherst
ASSISTANT TEACHER
JOB DESCRIPTION
General Summary of Position
Assists the professional classroom teachers with all aspects of classroom management including: participating in activities with children, maintaining a healthy and safe environment, and assisting children with the daily routines.
Example of Duties
1. Supervises children while at play: facilitates play interactions, set appropriate limits,
help children problem solve conflicts, and remain consistent with classroom expectations of children.
2. Facilitates curriculum activities for children which meet goals determined by the professional teachers which are consistent with Center for Early Education and Care policies and procedures.
3. Assists in maintaining a safe and healthy physical environment (i.e. help children with classroom clean-up tasks, clean and disinfect classroom furniture and materials, sweep/mop floors as needed after meals, repair books, store materials in proper locations, etc).
4. Assists children with transitions in the daily schedule according to the classroom routines.
5. Prepares and serves snacks for children. Joins children at snack/lunch table to model appropriate meal time practices and to assist with child interactions and needs.
6. Works cooperatively with the supervisor to continually improve one’s interaction and
communication skills with children and adults.
7. May occasionally assist in other classrooms to support classroom coverage needs.
Qualifications
1. Statement of good health and evidence of Physical Examination within the past year.
2. Evidence of Negative TB test results and Measles, Mumps, Rubella Immunizations.
3. Able to lift, move, and hold children and objects up to 40 pounds. Able to engage in full range of motion to lift, reach, squat, climb, sit, and otherwise fully participate in classroom activities. Able to supervise and interact with children outdoors for extended periods of varied weather conditions.
4. Able to participate in training activities (evening workshops/ meetings, relevant articles
and training videos).
Supervision Received
Receives direction from and reports directly to the professional classroom teachers.
______
Signature of Employee Date
...\Personnel\Positions\Current\UGAT.doc (4/10)
Hampshire College
WORK-STUDY TEACHER ASSISTANT JOB DESCRIPTION
Each assistant is assigned to one group of children for a morning or afternoon block of time at least two days a week. S/he consistently works with that group of children and their teachers. Work-study
students assist teachers by:
- providing another caring and nurturing adult presence
- working with individual children and small groups of children (i.e. reading a story, helping an infant stand upright, rubbing a back at naptime, helping two children settle a disagreement)
- assisting with indoor and outdoor activities (i.e. painting, clay, cooking, science, block building, dancing and singing, indoor and outdoor games)
- helping teachers with observation and record keeping (i.e. writing down anecdotes, transcripts of children’s conversations, digital photography, etc.)
- accompanying children on walks, daily strolls (infants) and field trips
- general set-up and clean-up (washing dishes, cleaning tables, preparing snacks, setting out rest mats, assisting with diapering and toileting)
This is an opportunity for you to have an impact on the lives of young children; to help them grow and become aware of themselves and their world. Our goals for student assistants include:
1. To have a positive, rewarding experience as an integral part of a professional staff and the Early Learning Center community.
2. To utilize and extend your skills and life experience
3. To expand your knowledge of early childhood education through observation, record-keeping, discussion and collaboration.
4. To realize that each child is unique and deserving of the opportunity to develop his/her potential.
5. To contribute to the social, emotional, physical, creative and intellectual growth of children by creating a nurturing, safe, and stimulating environment.