Teaching Associate

Description

Teacher Associates help bring our educational vision to life through daily teamwork and hands‑on practice. Working closely with Lead Teachers, Teacher Assistants, and families, you’ll help create learning environments where children are safe, engaged, and ready to grow. You’ll become familiar with the standards that guide our work—Head Start Performance Standards, Vermont Early Learning Standards, and state regulations—and ensure they’re woven into everything we do.

Strong collaboration is essential: this role requires building genuine partnerships with your teaching team, parents, and center colleagues.

• Meet the qualifications for at least "Teacher Assistant" in the Vermont Child Care Licensing Regulations for Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs and Head Start Performance Standards.
• Teacher Associates model positive, respectful interactions with adults and children alike. They are role models for parents, and an ambassador for the program.
• Participate in a developmentally appropriate preschool experience for children.
• Participate in parent activities in collaboration with Family Partners.
• Participate in regularly scheduled individual supervision meetings, team meetings, center staff meetings, staff development days, and SEVCA All Staff meetings.
• Participate in ongoing training according to an Individualized Professional Development Plan that meets the requirements of the Vermont Child Care Licensing Regulations for Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs for this position.
• Assist the lead teacher with all aspects of the classroom including: paperwork, curriculum planning, screenings, and documentation for children's assessments.
• Assist in daily room maintenance.
• Substitute for the lead teacher in her absence.
• Respect and respond competently to the culture, traditions, lifestyle, language, and values of each family and community.
• Offer parents opportunities to be involved in group activities, meetings, and educational activities based on their interest and need. Also offer opportunities for parents to build on their goals, strengths, and access needs.
• Facilitate, support and document family engagement activities in collaboration with Family Partners.
• Contribute to the Monthly Newsletter.
• Contribute input to monthly Case Management meetings with Family Partners.
• Ability to speak the language of the majority of the children in the classroom.
• Ability to work collaboratively with coworkers and maintain a team effort at all times.
• Represent the program at local, state and regional meetings and conferences.
• Ability to lift, twist, and rummage with 50 pounds of weight.
• Enter and submit biweekly attendance to Child Care Services Manager (for full day classrooms only)
• Behavior management and interactions with children must be positive and respectful.
• Fulfill role as mandated reporter as stated in Child Abuse and Neglect Policy.
• Be present at work in order to provide consistency of services.
• Complete needs assessment and participate in the practice‑based coaching model within the program, if selected.
• Other duties as assigned.

Teacher Associates will adhere to the Head Start Performance Standards, Vermont Early Learning Standards, and the Vermont Child Care Licensing Regulations for Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs, the SEVCA Personnel Policies and SEVCA/WCHS (Windsor County Head Start) Policies and Procedures. Teacher Associates report directly to the Lead Teacher and to the Education/Disabilities Manager.

• Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field required, or at least 21 credits in early childhood and currently enrolled in an Associate/Bachelor degree program, or current CDA. This includes at least 12 months experience working with preschool age children.
• Minimum of 15 clock hours of professional development activities each year.
• Experience working with young groups of children.
• Experience with working with low‑income families.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of families and children at all times.
• Ability to obtain a satisfactory criminal record and fingerprint check.
• Positive attitude.