Assistant Teacher

Hourly Salary: $21.24 - $22.72 / hour

Position Summary

The Assistant Teacher partners with the teaching team to support the delivery of high-quality early childhood education that promotes children's development, school readiness, and long-term success. Working under the direction of the Education Director and in collaboration with the Lead Teacher, this role helps implement evidence-based curricula, individualized instruction, and nurturing learning environments while ensuring compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Article 47 regulations, Universal Preschool Guidelines, and site-specific funding requirements.

Reporting to the Education Director, the Assistant Teacher is accountable for supporting classroom instruction, child assessment, family engagement, health and safety practices, and continuous quality improvement in alignment with the mission, values, and educational goals of Children's Aid.

Children's Aid Mission

To help children in poverty to succeed and thrive. We do this by providing comprehensive support to children and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods. Children's Aid annually serves children and their families at over forty sites in New York, as well as through three national program models. Children's Aid is concentrating its efforts on creating cradle-through-college pathways in high-need neighborhoods, with a focus on children's health, family stability, education, and social and emotional development.

Culture and Values

We put children, youth, and families first: We listen to and incorporate the voices of children, youth, and families in all that we do.

We seek equity and transformation in our communities: We courageously work within and outside systems to create opportunities for children, youth, and families.

We strive for excellence: We hold ourselves to the highest standards and are committed to continuous learning and improvement.

We are powered by collaboration: Our work is stronger when we trust, partner, and respect each other and the communities we serve.

We are driven by compassion: We lead with kindness, care, and empathy and believe in the endless potential of the people we serve and our team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Classroom Instruction & Curriculum Implementation

• Support the Lead Teacher in implementing evidence-based curricula that promote children's development and school readiness.
• Promote high-quality teaching and learning experiences that support children's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.
• Create an environment where children develop trusting and respectful relationships with adults and peers.
• Assist in implementing developmentally appropriate, integrated learning experiences that encourage exploration and discovery.
• Provide responsive care through individualized planning, instruction, and supervision.

Classroom Environment & Student Support

• Prepare and organize classroom materials and resources for daily lessons, activities, and projects.
• Maintain an inviting, organized, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment, including learning centers and displays.
• Conduct small-group learning activities under the guidance of the Lead Teacher.
• Monitor student progress during small-group instruction and provide observations and feedback to the Lead Teacher.
• Provide individualized support to children requiring additional assistance.
• Collaborate with the Lead Teacher to implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and appropriate classroom accommodations.
• Reinforce classroom expectations and support a positive, inclusive learning environment.
• Address behavioral challenges using positive guidance strategies and seek support from the Lead Teacher or Education Director as needed.
• Support the appropriate integration of technology into classroom instruction and learning activities.

Child Assessment & Record Maintenance

• Assist in administering and scoring child assessments to monitor developmental progress.
• Provide ongoing feedback to the Lead Teacher regarding children's strengths and areas requiring additional support.
• Maintain accurate child records, including screening and assessment documentation.
• Observe and document children's development to identify potential concerns and communicate recommendations to the Lead Teacher and/or Education Director.

Family Engagement

• Promote positive family engagement through regular communication, classroom activities, newsletters, bulletin boards, and an open-door philosophy.
• Participate in home visits, parent-teacher conferences, open houses, Family Days, and other family engagement activities as required.
• Support recruitment efforts by participating in community outreach, recruitment events, and program promotion activities.

Professional Development & Continuous Improvement

• Participate in all required agency trainings, workshops, in-service days, conferences, and professional development activities.
• Maintain required certifications and documentation of professional learning.
• Participate in program-wide goal setting, self-assessment, coaching, reflection activities, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Complete all required Early Childhood trainings.
• Maintain active membership with Aspire and/or a registered TEACH account linked to Children's Aid.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Adhere to all applicable Head Start Performance Standards, DOHMH Article 47 regulations, Universal Preschool Guidelines, licensing requirements, teacher-child ratios, and agency policies.
• Maintain required certifications, including CPR/First Aid, Child Abuse Mandated Reporter, Infection Control, and Mental Health First Aid, as applicable.
• Maintain a clean, safe, healthy, and organized classroom environment, including reporting damaged equipment or safety concerns.
• Comply with all applicable privacy and confidentiality requirements, including HIPAA.
• Understand and promote Children's Aid's mission, values, and organizational policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

The Assistant Teacher must meet all applicable Federal Head Start Performance Standards, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Article 47 regulations, and Universal Preschool Guidelines.

Candidates must meet one of the following qualification levels:

Assistant Teacher I

• Associate's degree (or equivalent college credits) in any field.
• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, or enrollment in a CDA program that will be completed within two (2) years of hire as a condition of employment.

Assistant Teacher II

• Bachelor's degree in any field.
• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, or enrollment in a CDA program that will be completed within two (2) years of hire as a condition of employment.

Assistant Teacher III

• Master's degree in any field.
• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, or enrollment in a CDA program that will be completed within two (2) years of hire as a condition of employment.

It is the policy of Children's Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Children's Aid will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on any basis, including race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, gender/sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Children's Aid is committed to complying with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Children's Aid will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or any violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in a confidential manner and will take appropriate corrective action, if and where warranted. Children's Aid prohibits retaliation against employees who provide information about, complain about, or assist in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.

The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department's needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team. This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department's processes. The position's requirements are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on organizational needs and changes in work dynamics.