Head Start Floater Associate Teacher

About PLN

Founded on Skid Row in 1980, Para Los Niños provides education and wraparound support, serving over 10,000 children, youth, and families annually in some of the most underserved areas in Los Angeles. PLN fosters pathways to success by striving for excellence in education, family support, and comprehensive social-emotional, and community-based services.

Through early education, TK-8th grade education, youth workforce services, and family and community services Para Los Niño’s’ model provides a comprehensive, holistic approach to break the cycle of poverty and help children and youth thrive.

Position Overview    

Under the supervision of the Teacher, the IAT is responsible for the academic, social and emotional growth and development, and supervision of children.  In partnership with the teacher, the IAT assists with the design and integration of classroom goals and objectives. With, the Teacher, the IAT is responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of lesson plans designed to stimulate children’s learning and support critical thinking. 

The IAT is responsible for assisting the Teacher in the provision of a quality educational experience that is responsive to the interest, needs and developmental age of the children enrolled in the assigned classroom.  In the absence of a teacher, associate teacher, or assistant teacher, the Itinerant Associate Teacher provides substitute coverage.  In addition, the Itinerant Associate Teacher provides coverage for breaks, lunches, and planning meetings.  The Itinerant Associate Teacher has a primary site assignment but may, in cases of staff call-out, be asked to provide substitute coverage for another PLN site. 

Duties   

Guiding Philosophy  

• Carries out Mission, Vision, and Values established by the President/C.E.O. and Board of Directors. 
• Participates in the overall agency Accreditation Quality Improvement process. 
• Adhere to professional conduct at all times (i.e. proper tone and language use in the classroom, respectful, proper for children, parents and peers at all times). 
• Attends and participates in Professional Development meetings. 

Planning and Creating the Learning Environment 

In the classroom and yard Itinerant Associate Teachers must participate in: 

• Providing a learning environment that reflects the PLN Guiding Philosophy. 
• Providing a learning environment that promotes curiosity and inquiry. 
• Providing a learning environment that is flexible and changes according to the needs and interests of the children. 
• Providing a classroom environment that reflects the children’s learning. 
• Planning and providing experiences for children that promote critical thinking and inquiry. 
• Planning and providing experiences for children that nurture and stimulate their cultural needs. 
• Collecting and analyzing observations of children’s learning behaviors in order to assist in the development of lesson plans and individualized goals as well as the completion of DRDPs. 

Supervision  

• Participates in supervision meetings on a weekly basis with Teacher and Teacher assistant. 
• Provides supervision and care to children in the classroom and actively participates in classroom and yard activities.  

Classroom Management 

• Participates in developing age appropriate curriculum (lesson plans) that are responsive to children’s interests and needs and support skill acquisition in all domains of development. 
• Assists in the: completion of attendance records, maintenance of up to date emergency forms, curriculum plans, individual child development profiles and other records as needed. 
• Assist in completing and developing short and long term goals for individual child and overall group. 
• Assists in the orientation of parents to the classroom. 
• Completes checklists to ensure that classroom is kept neat and orderly. 
• Completes documentation and reports of all incidents, accidents or behavioral outbursts (be the client, parents and or staff).   
• Assists in the completion of daily, weekly, and monthly logs and reports as requested by teacher/supervisor.   

CCL/ CDE Head Start 

• Completes ratio counts in the classroom on a day-to-day basis ensuring constant children supervision. 
• Completes and reports any symptoms of child abuse to supervisor and/or the Child Abuse Hotline.  
• Completes daily health checks regarding hygiene, safety, and overall well-being of children. 
• Provides input into DRDP’s (for children familiar to the Itinerant Associate Teacher) twice a year for Preschool and four times a year for Infants and Toddlers as required by California Department of Education. 
• Participates as requested in parent conferences after each DRDP is completed.  
• Performs other duties as assigned by Supervisor. 

Qualifications and Experience Requirements   

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge; skills required to perform the job successfully. 

• California Child Development Associate Teacher Permit. 
• AA Degree or higher in early childhood education, child development, or a related field OR be enrolled in a program leading to an Associate’s degree or higher. AA Degree degree must be completed within 2 years of hire 
• Valid Class C California driver’s license, (depending upon position assignment). 
• First Aid and CPR certification is required. 
• Knowledge of Creative Curriculum preferred. 
• Bilingual preferred. 

Education and Certification Requirements   

• Minimum of 6 months experience as a student intern, tutor, or instructional assistant working with an educational setting with pre-elementary school children is required.  
• 24 or more units of postsecondary semester education or equivalent quarter units in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field from an accredited college or university is required. 

Other Requirements  

• TB test clearance to be renewed every two years. 
• Verification of Immunizations required by the California Department of Health (Pertussis, Measles and Influenza). 
• DOJ clearance and all other required background checks. 

Physical Requirements   

To perform this job the individual must be able to carry out all essential functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.   

Early Education Staff must be able to perform the following physical activities: 

• Observe, see, hear, and respond to children’s needs, emergencies, and conflicts that may occur in the early education center or on the playground. 
• Lift 30 pounds from the floor to a waist-high table when necessary. 
• Reach a child 20- 30 feet away within 30 seconds without endangering the staff person’s health. 
• Crouch to a child’s height, maintain eye contact the child’s level, sit on the floor and stand tall enough to reach children on the highest piece of equipment. 
• Be aware of the cognitive, social, and physical needs of children. 
• Verbal and written communication in English to the degree that children, parents, and other staff members are able to understand and respond. 
• Handle the responsibilities and routine stress often associated with providing early childhood services. 

Expectations for All Para Los Niños Staff    

Candidates for employment at Para Los Niños, regardless of position, will consistently demonstrate the following:   

• Unwavering belief in and commitment to fulfill the mission of Para Los Niños.   
• Deep commitment to the success of all PLN students and families.   
• Commitment to excellence and high standards -- for self, students, and colleagues.   
• Continuous learning by engaging in reflection, self-assessment, and individual professional development.   
• Use of data to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement.   
• Ability to thrive as a member of a collaborative team.   
• Self-motivation and initiative with solutions-oriented disposition.   
• Belief in and ability to develop respectful relationships with families and children informed by the students’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.   
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.   
• Ability to effectively handle challenging situations.   
• Comfort with basic Microsoft Office applications and a curiosity and propensity to push own adoption of new technology and approaches.   
• Regular, punctual attendance and professional appearance.   

Para Los Niños is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer     

It is the established policy of Para Los Niños (PLN) to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without discrimination with regard to race, religious belief (including dress or grooming practices), color, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including breast feeding), age, national origin (including possessing a driver’s license issued under Vehicle Code § 12801.9), ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, transgender status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, family care, marital status, enrollment in any public assistance program, status as military, a veteran or qualified disabled veteran, status as an unpaid intern or volunteer, or any other classification protected by law. PLN also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.