Under the direct supervision of the classroom teacher, the teaching assistant will be a member of the teaching team and will share in the development and implementation of a developmentally appropriate educational program promoting social, emotional, physical and cognitive growth and development of the children served.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Function as a member of a trans-disciplinary teaching team; share ideas and information with colleagues; participate in the University community of learners.
• Contribute to the planning, organization and implementation of lesson plans that stimulate children's growth and development; assist in the provision of opportunities for children to experience, play and learn in a warm, safe, nurturing environment.
• Contribute to the creation of a community in the classroom that is nurturing, caring, safe and conducive to learning for all members.
• Assist in the provision of physical care for children: helps to prepare meals; helps to feed children; helps in washing hands and faces; changes diapers; assists in toileting; assists in teaching self-help skills.
• May be required to engage in lifting children who are non-ambulant, semi-ambulant and/or have physical needs.
• Assist in maintaining classroom and playgrounds in a neat, clean, safe, attractive manner; examine environment for any potential hazards; maintain proper condition of materials and equipment in classroom; maintain inventories of materials and complete materials requests.
• Advise, instruct, supervise and mentor student staff and volunteers assigned to the room; model appropriate professional behavior.
• Contribute to the maintenance of charts, checklists, anecdotal records on children which will be used in the development of plans to meet children’s individual and collective needs.
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with families; maintain open, positive, respectful lines of communication with families about their children and the Center.
• Attend meetings, workshops, or courses to maintain compliance with NJ in-service requirement.
• Identify for the teacher any child whose behavior and physical condition appears to differ from the norms.
• Report any instances of suspected child abuse to DCPP, classroom Teacher and Center Director.
• Maintain valid Infant/Child CPR and First Aid Certification.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Management retains the right to add or change job duties at any time.