Job Details
Level
Experienced
Job Location
Early Learning Center – Chicago, IL
Remote Type
N/A
Position Type
Full Time
Education Level
4 Year Degree
Salary Range
$15.00
Travel Percentage
Undisclosed
Job Shift
Undisclosed
Job Category
Nonprofit – Social Services
Description
Summary
Assists students with disabilities and special needs including safety, personal care needs, facilitating total inclusion to the daily curriculum and execution of classroom activities. Helps to maintain a classroom environment that is developmentally appropriate and meet the individual needs of children as mandated by federal, state, and local standards. Ensures the execution of individualized Implementation and Interim Plans, as well as, Conscious Discipline curriculum supports.
Essential Job Duties
- Provide information to the Lead Teacher that will assist in the referral process for children with special needs.
- Assist the teaching team in maintaining a classroom environment that includes positive guidance techniques that meet state and local licensing regulations and Head Start performance Standards.
- Collaborate with internal team to implement Implementation and Interim plans and other identified needs related to special needs development.
- Assist the teaching team in gathering documentation such as assessment data, work samples, observations and reports.
- Assist the teaching team in implementing Conscious Discipline curriculum.
- Complete monthly progress reports regarding children with Implementation and Interim Plans.
- Perform additional job-related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills and abilities commonly associated with this position.
- Ability to learn and implement Head Start Performance Standards.
- Willingness to learn about theories and principles of child growth, development and early childhood education.
- Willingness to learn how to address mental health challenges and work with special needs children.
- Willingness to participate in on-going professional development
- Ability to implement strategies and instruction gained from professional development
- Communicate effectively and function well with parents, staff and various professional community groups.
- Good communication (written and verbal), and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to follow as directed child development and early childhood principles and practices.
- Ability and willingness to work in a program located in a high-risk, low-income community.
- Ability to be flexible with transitions to different classrooms throughout the day.
- Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials.
Work Environment Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.
- General office and classroom conditions. Exposed to moderate to high noise levels.
- In some cases, work with children 6 weeks to 5 years old
Physical Abilities – Activities that are commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- Required to use close vision and be able to focus.
- Regularly required to talk and hear; frequently required to sit, stand and bend at the knee and waist, and walk.
- Must be able to have repetitive wrist, hand and/or finger movement to type and work on computer.
- Must have finger dexterity and hand-eye coordination to work on computer, telephone, and related office equipment.
- Must be able to physically interact with children.
- Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
- Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.
Qualifications
- High School Diploma or G.E.D with a minimum of 6 credit hours in Early Childhood Development. Associate Degree in Education preferred.
- Minimum of one to two years of experience working with children with disabilities and/or challenging behavior in an early childhood or childcare program.
- Ability to communicate in Spanish is a plus