Reports to: Director

Location: Philadelphia, PA

The Preschool Teacher Assistant position involves supporting classroom teachers and students throughout the school day. Teaching Assistants are responsible for assisting with arrival and dismissal routines, aiding in self-care tasks for students, and facilitating play and language in the classroom, at the direction of the classroom teacher. Teaching Assistants receive instruction and assist classroom teachers in collecting language samples of students during classroom routines. Teaching Assistants complete professional development requirements in accordance with the state and county specifications.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Assist classroom teacher in preparation of activities as they relate specifically to the individual students, classroom themes, and lessons (i.e., learning centers, craft projects, lesson support).
• Maintain and keep classrooms organized and relevant to the students and their individual needs.
• Organize classroom space and materials to meet the language and motor needs as directed by the classroom teacher.
• Assist in arrival and dismissal by organizing students on and off cars, vans, and buses.
• Assist classroom teacher in the general supervision and management of an early childhood classroom of up to eight students between the ages of three to six years of age.
• Collaborate with classroom teacher and other Clarke staff members in facilitating a language-rich learning environment for students.

Other Duties:

• Attend required staff meetings and related trainings.
• Participate in professional learning opportunities as required by state and county specifications.
• Maintain communication with classroom teacher, director, and other Clarke staff as related to the position.
• Display professionalism in attire, interactions with students and family, and collaboration with staff and related professionals.
• Uphold HIPAA compliancy for the safety and protection of students and families.
• Attend field trips to assist students in the development of auditory, speech, and language skill development as it relates to the classroom curriculum.

Physical demands:

• Ability to carry light weight.
• Ability to stoop or kneel.
• Ability to maintain the safety and support of young students requiring adult assistance in activities related to an early childhood education classroom routine.

Education, licenses, certifications, skills and experience

• 1 or more years of experience working with young children in an early childhood education setting.
• At minimum, high school diploma or Associates degree, preferably in Early Childhood Education or related field.
• Some college background is preferred in early childhood education or a related field.
• Patience, flexibility, and ability to relate and engage young children.
• CRP and First Aid certification.
• Pennsylvania state clearances – Child Abuse, FBI, Criminal Background check.
• Treatment of students, families, and other staff with respect and dignity.

*Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

**Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

*** Title IX Notice of Nondiscrimination: Clarke Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex in admission, administration of its educational programs or activities or employment. Clarke Schools is required by Title IX and its implementing regulations at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 not to discriminate on the basis of sex in admission, administration of its educational programs or activities or employment. The Human Resource Director, Andrea Harkins, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, 45 Round Hill Road, Northampton, MA 01060, telephone number 413-582-1155, has been designated as the employee responsible for coordinating Clarke Schools efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under Title IX. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 to Clarke Schools may be referred to Andrea Harkins or to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, at 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-1100, telephone number 800-421-3481.

EOE