Preschool Classroom Assistant (2024-25 - Anticipated)

Position: Preschool Classroom Assistant (2024-25 - Anticipated)

Classification: Non-Exempt

Primary Reporting Relationship: ELA Director

Secondary Reporting Relationships: ELA Assistant Directors / Registrar

Ministry Areas: The Early Learning Academy at Bay Area Christian School

Interfaces: Students, parents, administrators, staff, and other stakeholders as appropriate

Mission: Providing quality Christian education impacting lives for now and eternity.

Profile: Our organization has a culture led by a collaborative and cohesive team that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while living a lifestyle that demonstrates our Values:

• Gospel Restoration

• Spirit and Truth Empowerment

• Relentless Love

• Hands-On Service

• Kingdom Partnership

Employee Profile:

• Acceptance of and agreement with the Bay Area Church statement of faith and standard of conduct

• A strong, clear Christian testimony

• A lifestyle that displays an ongoing personal relationship with God and a commitment to serve Him daily

Job Purpose: The Classroom Assistant shall prayerfully assist the Classroom Teacher help students learn attitudes, skills, and subject matter that will contribute to their development as mature, able, and responsible Christians to the praise and glory of God.

Responsibilities:

• Reflect the purpose of the school, which is to honor Christ in every class and in every activity

• Lead students to a realization of their self-worth in Christ

• Integrate Biblical principles and the Christian philosophy of education throughout all curriculum and activities

• Represent the school in a favorable and professional manner

• Utilize educational opportunities and evaluation processes for professional growth

• Perform any other teaching-related duties that may be assigned by the administration

• Cooperate with the School Board and administration in implementing all policies, procedures, and directivesgoverning the operation of the school

Personal/Educational

• Follow the ELA program guidelines as outlined in the Staff Handbook

• Become familiar with policies and procedures listed in ELA Parent Handbook

• Follow the current DFPS Minimum Standards For Child Care Centers

• Work in a team atmosphere, accepting instruction and assignments from the team lead and/or administration team

• Able to establish and maintain an effective positive working relationship with ELA staff, parents, and students

• Able to communicate effectively in person and in writing

Professional Development

• Complete a minimum of 24 hours of training in the area of early childhood education within five months of hire date

• Complete 18 hours of pre-service training before working with children (hours obtained elsewhere may be used if completed within the last year - upon approval from ELA admin)

• Complete CPR, First Aid training before working with children

• Complete course on recognizing and reporting child abuse/neglect before working with children

• Complete ELA Orientation before working with children

Classroom Management

• Assist teacher in implementing assigned curriculum

• Follow the teacher’s instructions for assisting children in center time/group activities/outside time

• Model positive self-control

• Implement classroom management techniques provided in the curriculum as directed by the teacher

• Implement conscious discipline techniques provided in the curriculum as directed by the teacher

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of child development

• Demonstrate techniques for smooth transition times as directed by the teacher

• Keep accurate attendance totals at all times

• Maintain control of ELA restroom procedures at all times

• Maintain an engaging atmosphere during center time as directed by the teacher

• Maintain an engaging atmosphere during group times as directed by the teacher

Health and Safety

• As per ELA requirements, maintain current student emergency bag

• Follow requirements for sanitizing and disinfecting furniture, toys, and nap mats as found in Minimum Standards

• Follow requirements for snack distribution and lunch assistance as found in Minimum Standards

• Follow requirements for washing hands as found in Minimum Standards

• Follow requirements for staff/student ratios as found in Minimum Standards

• Follow all procedures for dealing with illness/injury/incidents

• Know and follow ELA requirements for returning to work after illness

• All employees must be able to communicate clearly and effectively

• All employees must know and follow all emergency procedures

• Fill out Daily Classroom Checklist as directed by the teacher/administration

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Minimum high school diploma or equivalent required

• Minimum 2+ years experience working with preschool or kindergarten students preferred

Essential Job Functions:

• Ability to reason logically and make sound decisions, to consider alternative and diverse perspectives, to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, to remain poised under all circumstances, and to interact effectively with people in a positive manner that engenders confidence and trust

• Ability to complete assigned tasks without direct supervision

• Ability to exercise independent judgment and make decisions

• Ability to work with people beyond giving and receiving of instructions; must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with emergency situations

• Ability to listen and respond to counsel

• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others

• Ability to report to work on a regular and punctual basis

• Must be able to stand for 30 minutes at a time, sit on the floor or in a 12 -16 chair, bend at the waist and squat while attending to children, walk at a steady pace, and possess the agility to work with young children

• Must be physically able to operate a variety of office equipment, including computers, copiers, phones, etc.

• Must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally; 10 pounds of force frequently; and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects; perform repetitive motion, such as grasping, picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise utilizing finger dexterity

• Must be able to regularly remain stationary and move around the classroom lecturing and monitoring students

• Must be able to regularly remain stationary at the computer, requiring repetitive finger movements and manual dexterity

• Must possess the ability to observe details at close range required for viewing a computer monitor, preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, and reading

• Must possess ability to perceive sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction; possess the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make discriminations in sound

• Must possess ability to express ideas by means of the spoken word to convey instructions to students, parents, and other stakeholders accurately, loudly, and/or quickly

Work Environment
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be exposed to environmental conditions. Activities will occur inside and outside with protection from weather conditions but not necessarily temperature changes. The employee in this position will be subject to ambient noise, causing the employee to shout to be heard above the noise level.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.