Job Description

PRESCHOOL TEACHER AIDE

Full-Time

City & State: Hummelstown, PA

School: St. Joan of Arc

Payroll Grade: _ FLSA Status: EXEMPT

Nature of Position:

• The Preschool Teacher is responsible for providing a safe and developmentally appropriate preschool program in accordance with all relevant legislation, policies, and procedures.
• The Preschool Teacher will be responsible for planning and implementing a program to teach young children. They must ensure the development and safety of these children in accordance with relevant federal, territorial, and municipal legislation and policies.
• The Preschool Teacher will be respectful of children and parents, and ensure that equipment and facilities are clean, safe, and well-maintained. Failure to provide adequate services may place children at risk.

Reports to: PreSchool Director and/or Principal

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Support of the following:

• Faith Formation: Model Catholic values, lead daily prayers, and share simple Bible stories.
• Instructional Support: Work with small groups or individual students on basic literacy, numbers, and fine motor skills.
• Classroom Management: Supervise children during lessons, meals, recess, transitions, and dismissal.
• Daily Operations: Prepare learning centers and art supplies; assist with snacks, hygiene, and rest time.
• Communication: Assist the lead teacher with student observations and daily classroom needs.

Key Qualifications

• High school diploma required (Associate degree in Early Childhood preferred).
• Active Catholic preferred, or a strong commitment to supporting Catholic teachings.
• Ability to pass state background checks and diocesan Youth Protection (Virtus) training

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge - The applicant must have proficient knowledge in the following areas:

• child development and early education theories and practices
• safe and appropriate activities for children
• relevant legislation, policies, and procedures to ensure that children are supervised and safe at all times
• an understanding of any cultural environments specific to the children attending

Skills - The applicant must demonstrate the following skills:

• team building skills
• supervisory skills
• analytical and problem-solving skills
• decision-making skills
• effective verbal and listening
• communications skills
• stress management skills
• time management skills
• teaching skills

Personal Attributes - The applicant must demonstrate the following personal attributes:

• respectful
• culturally aware/sensitive
• flexible
• demonstrate sound work ethics
• consistent and fair
• compassionate and understanding
• able to build esteem while ensuring a safe and secure environment

Qualification: Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree with an active teaching certificate, preferably in Early Childhood or Elementary Education.

The applicant must maintain strict confidentiality in performing the duties of a PreK Teacher's Aide. The applicant would normally attain the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for the position through completion of a post-secondary Early Education Program combined with related day care and/or preschool teaching experience. Equivalencies will be considered.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical Demands: Caring for children can be physically demanding.

• The Preschool Teacher Aide may be lifting and carrying children and equipment, and may spend time sitting on the floor or child-sized furniture.
• The Preschool Teacher Aide will be expected to clean and maintain equipment and the facility, and may move throughout the community with children.
• The Preschool Teacher Aide may come in contact with children who are ill and/or contagious, and must take precautions to ensure the health and safety of all children, parents, staff, and themselves.

Environmental Conditions: The Preschool Teacher Aide will be working in a busy and occasionally noisy environment. There may be a number of activities and situations happening at once, and the Preschool Teacher will have to supervise all children at all times.

Sensory Demands: The Preschool Teacher Aide may experience smells associated with toileting and children who are ill. There may be times when the environment is noisy and busy.

Mental Demands: Caring for children can be stressful. The Preschool Teacher Aide must ensure that children are supervised at all times and that they are involved in safe and appropriate activities. There may be a number of situations happening at once, and the Preschool Teacher must be prepared to handle accidents and emergencies at any time.

Religious Dimension: The Preschool Teacher Aide will work in a school with a Catholic identity. The Preschool Teacher Aide does not need to be a Catholic, but they are expected to respect the Roman Catholic Church and follow the school's basic morality guidelines and code of conduct. They will be required to learn about and teach according to the Catholic faith.