Job Title: Instructional Assistant

Department: ECDEC

Reports to: Project Director

Job Type: Full Time. Salary (Non-Exempt) 

Job Location: Arlington Heights Area

Salary Range: $20,000-30,000.

The Center: Resources for Teaching and Learning - Who we are:

For more than 40 years, The Center has been a critically important resource for Illinois education. The Center: Resources for Teaching and Learning, is a nationally recognized professional development and educational services organization dedicated to better teaching and learning in early childhood, elementary, secondary and adult education.  

Our focus is on education professionals who serve distressed and at-risk populations — children at risk of academic failure, young children with special needs, students from linguistically and culturally

diverse backgrounds, refugees and immigrants. We also serve professionals that work with adults who seek to advance their position by obtaining U.S. citizenship, a GED, improved language skills, or basic skills needed to hold and advance from service jobs.

Position Description – What the Role Entails:

• Assist in implementing the ECDEC curriculum by supporting children's learning, developmental experiences, and daily routines in the classroom. Responsibilities include helping with student transitions, classroom tasks, parent communication, and maintaining confidentiality, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and supporting family engagement. Reliable transportation and willingness to learn necessary technology are required

Areas of Accountability - What you will be doing:

• Assist in the implementation of EDEC curriculum model in classroom, observing children and providing proper development experiences, building self-esteem through experiences, debriefing with teacher on children’s progress and activities through the day.
• Physical capacity to safely assist children from cars/buses into the classroom and support preschool children in their learning environment (sitting, standing, movement activities).
• Work as an integral member of the ECDEC classroom team, could include duties such as washing tables before and after snack, supporting toileting and dressing children, translating written materials as necessary, making phone calls to parents, taking attendance, collecting portfolio samples, etc.
• Support parent involvement by assisting with preparation and communications of notes, attending parent-teachers conferences and after-school or nighttime activities as scheduled, etc.
• Reliable transportation to assure arrival 15 minutes prior to class start.
• Attend all mandatory Staff Development days as scheduled.

The Center Rewards & Benefits- How we value you:

• Up to 14 sick days per year (prorated based on start)
• Up to 8 paid holidays per year (dependent on start date)
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance & Disability Insurance
• Pension: TIAA-CREF

The Center’s Work Environment – What to expect:

• You will be on site at your assigned school, and you will have a hands-on role in the classroom. 
• You will need to assist children from cars/buses into the classroom and support their learning environment (sitting, standing, movement activities, etc.).

Schedule:

• Monday through Friday during school hours.

Language:

• Bilingual applicants preferred.

The Knowledge and Expertise that Matters Most - What you bring to the Role:

• Dependable – must be reliable and punctual.
• Patience.
• Ability to adapt to changing situations, classroom needs, or routines. 
• Ability to sit, stand, and move with children during various activities. 
• Willingness to learn new technology and attend training sessions.

Position Qualifications – What is required to Perform the Role:

• Qualified candidates will have or be willing to obtain a Paraprofessional Educator License.
• Bilingual/Spanish preferred.