Teacher Aide - South Omaha (Gateway or Indian Hill)

---

Job description

Educare of Omaha, Inc. is a collaborative partnership between the Early Head Start/Head Start, Omaha Public Schools and the Buffett Early Childhood Fund. Comprised of the two Educare Omaha Schools (Kellom and Indian Hill) and the three Omaha Early Learning Centers (Skinner, Gateway and Kennedy), the mission of Educare of Omaha, Inc. is to promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children ages 0 to 5 through the provision of evidence-based education, health, nutritional, social, family engagement and other services to enrolled children and their families.
The Teacher Aide is responsible for assisting the Lead Teacher and Associate Teacher in the planning, implementation and coordination of a comprehensive education program. Under the supervision of the Lead Teacher and the Associate Teacher, the Teacher Aide ensures the education program is developmentally appropriate and meets children's individual needs as well as program standards of Omaha Early Learning Centers and the Nebraska Department of Education.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND KEY TASKS:
Child Development

• Provide opportunities for children to develop positive self-images and experience success.
• Assist in the development and the implementation of an individualized educational plan for each child.
• Contribute information for child and family staffing.

• Provide information to the Lead Teacher, Associate Teacher, Education Coach, and other Service Providers that will assist in the referral process for children with special needs.
• Assist the child and family as child transitions from the infant and toddler program to the preschool program and from the preschool program to kindergarten.
• Foster positive relationships with all children in the classroom

Classroom Management

• Assist in developing and maintaining an attractive and stimulating learning environment and assist in encouraging a child's independence and self-selection of activities
• Ensure that all children are under appropriate supervision and guidance at all times.
• Maintain a clean, safe and healthy classroom environment.
• Utilize Positive Behavior Supports strategies
• Assist with the timely completion of necessary paperwork, including developmental assessments, lesson plans, newsletters, incident reports, etc.

Curriculum

• Assist the Lead Teacher and Associate Teacher in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate classroom activities that will enhance language and literacy development, (2) cognition and general knowledge, (3) approaches toward learning, (4) physical well-being and motor development, and (5) social and emotional development of each child.
• Assist in the process of interpreting and analyzing assessment results by collecting data that Lead Teachers and Associate Teachers will utilize to plan individual and classroom experiences as well as contributing to the collection of progress of children so that Lead Teachers and Associate Teachers can intentionally share this information with families.
• Assist in developing lesson plans with goals, objectives, activities and outcomes for children and implement them intentionally.
• Assist in creating documentation panels on a regular basis to make the learning that the children are experiencing visible to parents and visitors.
• Write anecdotal observations for the development of individualized plans for children and for measuring and evaluating child progress.

Parent Involvement

• Encourage parent participation in program activities and in implementing education activities for their children at home and in the community.
• Communicate with parents (informal conversations, newsletters, personal notes) regarding his/her child's involvement in classroom activities and progress towards learning goals.

• As assigned by the Lead Teacher and Associate Teacher, communicate with parents regularly about their child's progress.

Other

• Participate in reflective supervision with Lead Teacher and with Associate Teacher.
• Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the job description.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or GED.
• CDA is required, and if not possessed or current must be obtained in the 1st 12 months of employment. This is mandatory.
• Two years early childhood experience in a group setting preferred.

• Must be able to pass a background check that meets compliance standards

ESSENTIAL SKILLS / ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of curriculum, principles and best practices of early childhood education
• Ability and willingness to remain abreast of developments in the child development/early childhood education field to enhance professional growth and development.

• Willingness to participate in OELC's commitment to continuously review, analyze and apply findings from local and national evaluations to current program design.
• Knowledge of state child care licensing requirements
• Ability to work within an interdisciplinary team as a cooperative and supportive team member.
• Ability to establish supportive relationships and form an alliance with staff and families from diverse backgrounds on behalf of children
• Ability to effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, in a manner that demonstrates and fosters cooperation, respect, concern and openness to change
• Ability to take, or think about the perspective of others and demonstrate self-awareness of one's own culture, beliefs, and values.
• Ability to physically interact with children including the ability to walk or run quickly, kneel or sit on floor, bend and lift, walk over rough or uneven ground, while in or outside of facility.
• Ability to lift, carry and move center/classroom equipment and supplies and/or bulky objects or children weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Organization skills with the ability to manage time and multiple priorities
• Ability to collaboratively problem-solve
• Maintain boundaries and performs all duties in an ethical and professional manner.
• Complies with all confidentiality regulations as required
• Ability to obtain First Aid and CPR certification.

• Ability to operate a computer and office equipment, including, but not limited to, a telephone, fax machine, and copier.
• Proof of COVID vaccination required.

CLASSIFICATION: NON-EXEMPT
REPORTS TO: Lead Teacher and Associate Teacher
The Teacher Aide is a non-supervisory position