Teacher Assistant  

Position Summary:  The Teacher Assistant assists the Lead Teacher and cooperates in a supportive role carrying out developmentally appropriate activities. They promote the health, nutrition, and education of the children and attend to their safety and welfare. They support the Lead Teacher by ensuring high-quality instruction through modeling and co-planning. The Teacher Assistant will demonstrate and model a passion for purposeful learning through play and equitable early childhood practices, preparing students for UPK in Buffalo Public Schools.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Assist the Lead Teacher in maintaining compliance with Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Day Care regulations  
• Always supervise and monitor children and respond appropriately to crisis or emergency situations that may occur. 
• Use developmentally appropriate practices to facilitate activities with groups and individuals. 
• Observe and record behaviors of children to assist the Lead Teacher in the identification of each child’s strengths, areas to grow, and communication with caregivers 
• Integrate all equitable early learning standards and practices  
• Develop and utilize daily plans which reflect mandated elements, parental and cultural influences, and promote the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of children. 
• Follow a consistent schedule that meets individual needs, including small and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, skill development, meals, and effective transitions between activities. 
• Encourage experimentation, exploration, problem-solving, cooperation, socialization, and choice-making. 
• Provide an atmosphere that promotes and reinforces caregiver involvement in the classroom. 
• Work with service providers in the classroom to develop a collaborative approach that benefits all children in the classroom and meets the needs as specified on the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP). 
• Work with the Curriculum & Instructional team to assess and track learning goals that may include 504 and/or Individualized Education Plans (IEP’s) 
• Sanitize classroom equipment and laundry. 
• Assist with meal service as needed. 
• Assist Lead Teacher in maintaining accurate written/electronic records, including assessments, IFSP documentation, screening instruments, anecdotal observations, and other required forms. 
• Attend meetings, trainings, and appropriate professional development activities. 
• Propensity for problem-solving.  
• Ability to relate to families in a holistic fashion that incorporates education, social services,  
• Willingness to comply with the established agency performance standards which include:  
• Demonstrate self-motivation, continual learning, and taking initiative.  
• Practice professional and effective interpersonal communication skills.  
• Nurturing character that enables the building of a respectful, trusting, and loving relationship with children and their families.  
• Ethical and professional conduct that enables the building of a respectful, trusting, and modeling of appropriate behavior for children, parents, and other staff.  
• Submit monthly program reports.  
• Monitor and report child abuse. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Must be a professional who thrives in a start-up program, is open to feedback, and committed to continual growth.
• Frequent significant decision-making and problem-solving abilities. 
• Ability to apply Early Childhood Development theory in daily activities and adapt to the individual needs of children. 
• Significant decision-making and problem-solving abilities. 
• Ability to work as a team member collaborating with staff, families, and community resources. 
• Ability to maintain respectful relations and communication with staff, families, children, and community. 
• Ability to supervise preschool children and ensure a safe environment. 
• Ability to respond to events happening at all times in the classroom, outdoor play areas, and on field trips. This includes the physical ability to move quickly in order to respond to children who are very active and may need redirection or restraint in order to ensure their safety or the safety of others in the environment.  
• Ability to interact with children at their eye level, ie., sitting, kneeling, stooping, bending.  
• Lifting up to 50 lbs.           

 Salary 46K

Minimum Requirements: 

• Associate degree in ECE (Early Childhood Education) or a CDA (Child Development Associate Certificate) preferred. 
• Minimum of one year of experience in an early learning classroom, leading and/or executing lesson plans 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Bilingual English/Spanish skills highly desirable. 
• Working knowledge of community resources. 
• Complete and maintain annual training hour requirements. 
• Intermediate to advanced computer skills, word processing, internet, and e-mail. 
• Valid NYS Driver’s License.  
• Within 30 days of employment, must be Pediatric CPR & First Aid certified. 
• Health Appraisal Questionnaire is required at hire and will be updated annually. 
• Believe and practice the Say Yes Racial Equity Statement, “Equity will be achieved when we can all just wake up and live freely; be valued and respected; live free from structural impediments based off of perceived racial characteristics; and have fair representation and opportunity 

Say Yes Buffalo is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Say Yes Buffalo provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran or familial status, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Say Yes Buffalo complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.