Teacher's Assistant - State Work Study
WHO WE ARE:
Hilltop Children’s Center is an internationally recognized center of early learning. Hilltop has been providing and promoting child-centered early education for children aged 2 to 12 for over 40 years! Drawing inspiration from the schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy, Hilltop’s faculty engages daily in rigorous reflective practice – collaboratively designing curriculum and environment around the emerging interests and curiosities of children.
Hilltop is first and foremost, a center of inquiry – for children, families and faculty. Our educators are early learning professionals dedicated to celebrating the wonders of childhood alongside children, while also deepening their practice with children through regular reflection and study
We are closely guided by our vision: Hilltop honors and trusts children, engages families, and inspires educators to create a more just and joyful world; by our mission: Hilltop is transforming early childhood education through play, collaboration, and reflection: in our classrooms with children, partnerships with families, and professional development with educators; and by our values of Learning in Relationship, Emergent Curriculum, Leadership in Community, and Organizational Integrity.
Minimum Qualification
- One (1) year or more working with children in a group setting.
- Clearance of WA Department of Early Learning Portable Background Check
- Current CPR First Aid Training –available onsite
- Current HIV/AIDS and Bloodborne pathogens training
- Negative TB test from past 12 months
- Completion of Child Abuse & Neglect Training –available onsite
- Ability to lift and carry children for a short period of time
Disposition and Knowledge
Values and promote children’s play; is curious about child perspective; understand child guidance in a development context; is alert to the learning process of each child; model anti‐ bias practices and cultural sensitivity; is able to work in collaboration with other teachers; is flexible with the changing needs of the schedule and comfortable with moving from classroom to classroom; open to changes; attention to details; ability to take initiative; adaptable to the nature of early childhood work and can multi‐task with ease; able to communicate openly and thoroughly; maintain confidentiality; diligent about health and safety; take time for self-reflection and self-examination; display positive attitude while at work
Basic Responsibilities
- Read sub notes before entering classroom scheduled for; arrive a few minutes early to be able to read your sub notes
- Complete all paperwork associated with position (e.g. incident reports; medication forms; personal bio) as required
- Be aware of schedule time/days changes
- Update Hilltop scheduling software with schedule availability as needed
- Attend children physical and emotional safety
- Develop ongoing relationship with all children, families and staff
- Be with children joyfully
- Attend to daily communication
- Maintain classroom cleanliness and tidiness
- Stay current with training expectations
- Take directions from teaching staff‐ ask questions if you need clarifications
Classroom responsibilities
- Follow classroom routines – confirm with teachers about plans for the day
- Follow community agreements in each classroom
- Pay close attention to children’s play; be responsive to children’s play theme; support play theme by providing material or ideas about the play as needed; facilitate group of children’s play.
- Attend to classroom management; flow of the day; group dynamic and conflict negotiations
- Assist children during mealtimes as needed
- Assist children during bathroom times as needed
- Take group outside – supervise children closely
- Support studio activities
- Help with classroom environment maintenance
Floater
- Floaters are expected to meet the specifications, listed in the Substitute Educator job description above. In addition, floaters are valued for their ability to:
- remain flexible to changing needs of the daily schedule and move from classroom to classroom as requested by the Program Supervisor
- create ongoing relationships with all classroom staff, children, and families
- take direction from classroom staff
- support and encourage learning moments amidst the frequent transitions they encounter
*This position is for State Work Study students only* please contact ose@spu.edu if unsure of eligibility.