Teacher Assistant

Description

EMBRACING ABILITIES. EXPANDING POSSIBILITIES.
At Easterseals of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford, we are committed to two interconnected pillars of work—early learning and disability—transforming the lives of early learners and individuals of all abilities through expert educational, family, and community support. As an affiliate of America’s largest nonprofit healthcare organization, we have proudly served the communities of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford since 1936.

The Teacher Assistant is responsible for implementing program objectives as part of a teaching team and supporting the Master Teachers with all classroom activities. This includes implementing curriculum, supervising children, communicating with parents, and providing a healthy and safe environment.

Location:

Easterseals Gilchrist Marchman Child Development Center, 1312 S. Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60608.

• Work as part of the classroom team to support the full inclusion of children with identified and suspected disabilities.
• Prepare lesson plans, complete observations, and assess children.
• Follow through with activities and materials in alignment with the children’s IEP goals throughout the school day.
• Collect behavior data as requested for children with identified concerns.
• Implement teacher/clinical/administrative recommendations regarding curriculum and programming.
• Maintain consistent communication with children’s families/guardians.
• Participate in all scheduled team meetings pertaining to the classroom.
• Assist in planning field trips.
• Assume full responsibility for one group of children engaged in a specific activity.
• Supervise and participate with children during free play activities.
• Share responsibility for cleaning up after all classroom activities.
• Set up the room for activities in the morning and after nap time.
• Participate in all scheduled in‑house training throughout the school year.
• Attend parent meetings.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education (ECE) required for some positions and preferred for all.
• Minimum of 30 college semester credits overall with at least 15 semester credits in ECE, and an infant‑toddler Child Development Associate (CDA).
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in another field with a minimum of 30 college semester credits in ECE.

• Minimum of 1 year experience in an Early Head Start, Prevention Initiative, or NAEYC‑accredited 0‑3 classroom is a plus.

• Bilingual skills may be required or preferred based on program needs.
• Ability to create a classroom atmosphere supporting physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and creative development.
• Strong teamwork skills with staff, families, other agencies, and funding source personnel.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Well‑organized, detail‑oriented, and accuracy‑driven.
• Ability to manage multiple projects.
• Excellent computer skills.

Easterseals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. All persons hired for this position must possess the ability to perform the physical tasks necessary to treat clients, including bending, floor‑sitting, etc., and lifting up to 50 pounds frequently.

$19.12 – $27.42 per hour

Job Type: Full‑time