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Easterseals Job Description

Job Title: Assistant Teacher

Department: CDC

Location: NOVA

Reports to: Center Director

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

Overview of Easterseals Serving DC | MD | VA

Who We Are

Including Individuals. Empowering Families. Strengthening Communities.℠

Easterseals DC MD VA (www.eseal.org) is leading the way to full equity, inclusion, and access through direct and life-changing disability and community services. 

Since 1945, Easterseals DC MD VA has worked tirelessly to enhance quality of life and expand access to healthcare, education, and employment. And we won’t rest until each one of us is valued, respected, and accepted.

We take a holistic approach, providing comprehensive services to thousands of children and adults in our neighborhoods, no matter their disability, military status, income, race, or age: To help each child reach their full potential, we provide personalized child development and early intervention services. To improve health and reduce isolation in adults with disabilities, we offer engaging activities and expansive resources. To enable military families to integrate into the community, we provide a suite of services, including employment support and mental healthcare. And to sustain families and caregivers, we provide comprehensive services and support.

Together with our partners, we’re reducing poverty and homelessness and improving healthcare and employment by empowering people of all ages and abilities to be full and equal participants in their communities. Join us.

As the Easterseals affiliate serving Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, (www.eseal.org) Easterseals DC MD VA works through public-private partnerships to provide community-based services in the most efficient manner possible. These traits were demonstrated in the opening our Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Inter-Generational Center, which has quickly become an international model of excellence for delivering superior outcomes, including creating meaningful connections between generations. It was opened through visionary partnership among local, state, and national governments, as well as private individual, corporate, and foundation investment. The shared resources created a maximum return on investment for the community. Through a variety of resources, Easterseals provides information and guidance about how to navigate changing needs within our communities.

Easterseals DC MD VA, we know that creating a hopeful, inclusive community where all people realize their potential and live meaningful lives can be done only when we value our greatest asset – our staff. More than 200 employees across the greater Washington, DC area, from Hagerstown, Maryland, to Falls Church, Virginia, value the rewarding work that enables Easterseals to lead the way to 100% equity, inclusion, and access for people with disabilities, families, and communities.

If you want to do well while doing good, Easterseals DC MD VA may be the place for you.

Core Values

Our entire staff shares our Core Values which are an integral component of the success of ESDCMDVA:

• Respect: We respect each other. We value the uniqueness and dignity of each individual and appreciate the strength of diversity and inclusion. 
• Responsibility: We share a sense of responsibility for doing things right, being good stewards and being accountable for our actions. 
• Integrity: We conduct business ethically with a commitment to moral integrity and we expect people to hold a high moral standard. We communicate openly, honestly and directly. 
• Innovation: We embrace new ideas, take measured risks and find better ways to help more people. 
• Care: We show compassion for others and continue to live our mission each day. 

Are you passionate about enriching the lives of our future leaders? Easterseals is the right fit for you! 

For more than 100 years, we've been dedicated to promoting equity and inclusion through our life-changing services for children, adults, caregivers, and veterans. We won't rest until everyone feels valued, respected, and accepted. At Easterseals, we take pride in providing experiences that our employees describe as rewarding, positive, and friendly! Our collaborative culture fosters teamwork as we work together to support children in the best ways possible. We celebrate achievements, big and small, from earning your CDA certification to celebrating an anniversary as an Easterseals.

Join us and be a part of our journey in making a positive impact on the lives of those we serve. Together, we can create an environment where everyone can thrive and experience the joy of learning. 

Our premier benefits package includes:

• Free CDA certifications
• Education Assistance
• Health/Dental/ Vision Insurance
• Annual bonuses
• PTO 
• Discounts on entertainment, gym memberships, travel, theme parks, and clothing
• And so much more! 

As an Assistant Teacher at Easterseals you will:

• Work with the team to create inclusive activities for all children, including those with disabilities.
• Help plan engaging classroom activities following Easterseals and NAEYC guidelines
• Create a motivating and nurturing classroom environment for the children.
• Prioritize child health, safety, and well-being. Assist with feeding, toileting, and cleanliness.
• Perform additional duties as needed to support the center's operation and children's well-being. 

The Teacher is responsible for overall daily classroom operations. Lead Teachers are to provide a safe and nurturing environment that supports the social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development of children ages 6 weeks to 5 years of age. They are responsible for the implementation of developmentally appropriate lesson plans that are aligned with Creative Curriculum and national and state standards. 

Essential Functions

Supervision, Health, and Safety

• Maintain a clean, safe, organized, and appealing classroom environment.
• Adhere to all health and safety procedures and policies as outlined by regulatory bodies, to include but not limited to, Easter Seals, state/local agencies, and accreditation organizations.   
• Encourage all children and adults to use appropriate health, safety, and nutritional practices.
• Keep children within the required sight and sound supervision guidelines as indicated by regulatory bodies.   
• Be aware of the number of children in your care and maintain staff/child ratios at all times.
• Set developmentally appropriate limits for children in accordance with positive guidance standards.

 Staff/Child Interactions

• Interact with children frequently, with care and respect at all times.
• Speak to children at their level, giving them your full attention.
• Be available and respond promptly and appropriately to children’s needs.
• Model and encourage developmentally appropriate social behavior and expectations.
• Engage in frequent conversations with children and seek opportunities to expand on their learning.

 Professionalism and Teamwork

• Ensure continuity of care by reporting to work on time and maintaining consistent attendance.
• Attend all mandatory meetings, trainings, professional development days and other location events as instructed.
• Assume a fair share of responsibility in the classroom and demonstrate initiative to support meeting the needs of the children, teaching team and classroom.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with colleagues through professional and respectful communication and collaboration.
• Protect confidential information of staff and families and treat necessary communications related to such information with sensitivity.
• Follow the open door/conflict resolution procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook when addressing concerns. 
• Adhere to all policies and procedures as outlined in the Easter Seals Employee Handbook.

 Decision Making Authority 

• Make routine decisions regarding classroom management.
• Create and implement lesson plans in accordance with Creative Curriculum.
• Track and assess children’s development using Teaching Strategies Gold.
• Communicate with parents regarding children’s progress using Teaching Strategies Gold.
• Schedule and manage the parent teacher conference process in accordance with center guidelines.
• Communicate with a Supervisor regarding concerns about a child’s behavior or developmental process in advance of communication with parents.

Job Qualifications

Education

• Must meet state/local licensing requirements for education.
• Must have related college-level coursework or CDA or higher preferred.
• Requirements may vary based on location.

Experience

• A minimum of 1 year of professional teaching experience required.
• Has the ability to work in all age groups served by the center.

Qualifications and Physical requirements:

• Minimum age: 16 with work-permit.
• Committed to prioritizing children and families' needs. 
• Effective communication with participants, families, and community sources
• Willingness to actively participate and problem-solve.
• Must satisfactorily complete a physical examination by a doctor to include submission of information regarding immunizations/vaccinations.
• Frequently lift, hold, and carry children with a range of weight of 10-40 pounds. Occasionally lift and move classroom furniture. In addition, frequently bend, sit (close to the ground) and stand for periods at a time.
• Maintain mental and physical alertness and appropriate level of energy to perform essential job requirements.
•  Respond immediately and appropriately to multiple and/or unexpected situations or emergencies.

Easterseals policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, status as a special disabled veteran, or any other protected criteria as established by federal, state, or local laws. Employment decisions at Easterseals are based solely upon relevant criteria, including an individual’s capabilities, qualifications, training, experience and suitability.   

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