Assistant Teacher

Company Overview

Family Services of Westchester (FSW) provides mental health and social services that strengthen and support families, children and individuals at every stage of their lives. With 50 innovative programs, FSW serves 30,000 individuals annually in Westchester County, New York, here to create hope, restore dignity and connect families with the resources to get back on track.

Founded in 1954, Family Services of Westchester is a private, nonprofit, non-sectarian social services agency. FSW’s Head Start/Early Head Start is a federal government program that was created in 1965 to give preschool children from low-income families a “head start” on their readiness for elementary school.

JOB SUMMARY

Family Services of Westchester is looking for a Full-Time Assistant Teacher for our Head StartProgram in Port Chester, NY.

This position works as a part of a teaching team, partnering with the lead teacher to attain the goals of the program in developing activities for children with disabilities. You will assist in carrying out these goals, policies, and activities designed to implement educational objectives and performance standards, as well as work with families to promote parent involvement in the program. The position may be reassigned to various classrooms/centers as deemed necessary for program operations.

RESPONSIBILITES

Scope of Influence

• Assist lead teacher in documentation, reflection, and the planning process to devise curriculum informed by children's interests, questions, theories and prior knowledge.
• Facilitate learning and individualized outreach to families during periods of school closure.
• Work with a diverse community, including a significant Spanish-speaking population.
• Build relationships with families and communicate about children’s learning and development in person and through documentation.
• Partner with the teaching staff and administration in the overall philosophy and direction of the Head Start Program.

Planning

Classroom Environment

• Assist with planning and creating a classroom environment with inquiry, exploration, learning and respect in mind.
• Nurture children’s home languages through curated books, materials, and the physical environment.
• Assist in creating a warm and inclusive environment where children and families feel welcome.
• Assist with organizing physical space and selection of materials in a way that is inviting and accessible to children.
• Assist with creating visual evidence of the narratives and curriculum occurring in your classroom.

Planning, Preparation + Curriculum Development

• Co-constructing curriculum, based on children’s interests, questions and development.
• Documenting, reflecting, and planning from observations.
• Participating in weekly planning meetings with teaching team.
• Meeting the needs of all children, including English language learners.

Communication

Interactions with Children

• Speak and listen to children with respect and mindfulness.
• Supervising the whole group, while giving individual attention.
• Managing classroom procedures including transitions, routines, and small groups.
• Engage students in exploration and ongoing project work.
• Scaffolding children through conflict and problem solving.

Relationships With Families

• Building respectful and reciprocal relationships with families.
• Communicating consistently with families.
• Assists the lead teacher in meeting the program's needs for parent/family involvement in each classroom.
• Communicates with families to facilitate positive interaction with the program, awareness of the child’s needs and development, how the activities of the program promote positive development and their roles in the child’s overall education and development.
• Assists with identifying and arranging for parents to volunteer in the classroom as volunteers and substitutes.
• Assists the lead teacher with collecting monthly in-kind records from parents and community members participating in the program.
• Assists with the supervision of all assigned volunteers in the classroom.
• Connect families with Internal Mental Health, Health and Nutrition, and Family Services staff. for housing, employment, college access and medical resources as necessary. Check in with support staff as necessary to ensure that families’ needs are being met.

Compliance Management

• Documenting children’s learning, development and progress through mini stories, written narratives, reflections, and observations.
• Maintain a documentation portfolio for each child. With support of Head Teacher, upload documentation into the assessment platform Teaching Strategies Gold weekly and complete assessment checkpoints throughout year.
• Conduct point of service meal documentation, count meals when children are seated and have been offered a credible meal by USDA standards for portions and components.
• Enter point of service meal counts in appropriate forms and COPA used by program to support claim reimbursement.
• Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start/Early Head Start children, families, and staff according to established policies and procedures.
• Becomes thoroughly familiar with FSW Head Start Employee Handbook: Human Resources Policies and Procedures and all other FSW HS handbooks, service plans, and resources and adheres to them.
• Understands and implements all required policies and procedures always related to the active supervision of children, including:

A. Observation of the environment evaluates that children have a place to play and can be observed and listened to at all times.

B. Continuously scan & count for children under care and reports accurate numbers when asked.

C. Listen to children at all times to identify potential danger, like specific sounds or the lack of any sound that may trigger an action.

D. Develops knowledge to the children under care to anticipate their behavior, perform a wellness check, be proactive, and avoid putting children in danger.

• Attends all required training and workshops to include focused professional development and methods that comply with applicable State and local laws for identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect.
• Remains up-to-date on information that pertains to the needs of the children in the program, including Head Start Performance Standards, child care licensing regulations, and other applicable regulations and practices.

REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent with a minimum of a CDA (Child Development Associate Credential) or willing to obtain a CDA within 2 years of hire. All Head Start employees must respect children and families.

SKILLS

• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer (Microsoft word, excel, etc.) and office equipment, including, but not limited to, the telephone, fax machine, and copier.
• Requires effective writing and oral communication skills to conduct meetings and to prepare reports that are clear, complete, and comprehensive.
• Extensive knowledge and skills in the field of early childhood development. Knowledge of various service resources in the community. Knowledge of the state and federal child abuse and neglect regulations and child care licensing requirements. Knowledge of local resources, languages, and customs is helpful.
• Ability to be perceptive of children's needs and work well with staff, children, and parents/families.
• Ability to organize and direct classroom activities,
• Ability to maintain accurate records which reflect the needs and progress of children, utilizing Teaching Strategies Gold.
• Ability to communicate ideas and instructions orally and in writing, and speak before groups and individuals.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality at all times, including recognizing situations in which confidentiality is required.
• Ability to exhibit patience and tact when communicating with children, families, staff, management, referral sources, and the public.
• Ability to project professionalism in conducting daily activities.
• Ability to work with typically developing children and children with disabilities.

EXPERIENCE

• 2+ years of experience working with young children and families in an early childhood program such as Head Start/Early Head Start, implementing comprehensive family services for young children and families from diverse backgrounds.  (Preferred)

There are a variety of benefits to joining Family Services of Westchester, an organization with over 65 years of history impacting vulnerable communities. In addition to the opportunity to connect with and help thousands of residents in Westchester County, FSW offers its employees an inspiring, diverse and team-based work environment with comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, and 403(b) for full-time employees.

At FSW, we enjoy working in a collaborative, mission-driven environment and value the benefits of a diversified workplace that prioritizes our clients and the communities we serve. If you want to make a difference in the lives of thousands of people across the communities of Westchester, and if the position of Assistant Teacher speaks to your capabilities, experience and commitment to social service, please submit your resume and cover letter. Qualified candidates will be contacted by phone and/or email.

FSW is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $17.14 - $21.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person