The Associate Teacher supports the lead teachers in one of the Family Resource Center’s Corvallis Early Care and Education (ECE) centers. Campus ECE centers are committed to continually discovering, creating, and sustaining a teaching and learning environment that supports inquiry, diversity and equity. Associate Teachers are responsible (as outlined below) for the areas to which they are assigned and the young children in their care. Associate Teachers support the lead teacher(s), the Center Director, help with other Center wide duties, and work with parents, as assigned. Associate Teachers report to the lead teachers of their respective classrooms. This position requires knowledge of child development, excellent communication skills and tremendous patience to provide a safe, emotionally secure, and nurturing environment for the healthy development of young children. The Associate Teacher will assist all classroom program operations including the engagement and support of children and families, center procedures, curriculum planning and implementation, and developmental assessments. Guidelines used for operation will follow Early Learning Division (ELD) Office of Child Care regulations, state health regulations, and program rules and philosophy. The Associate Teacher will build and maintain relationships with the parent(s) of each child and ensure clear communication on each child’s progress and care plan. This position will assist the Lead Teacher in the development and mentoring of Early Childhood Assistant Teachers and student Interns in the classroom.

The Associate Teacher will work collaboratively with other program staff to provide a high-quality early care and education program of direct service to young children and their families. This position is informed by the fields of Early Childhood Education, Child Development and Human Development and maintains a working knowledge and compliance with the Oregon ELD Office of Child Care licensing standards and is knowledgeable about the trends and best practices in the field of early care and education.

Key Responsibilities:
Assist the Lead Teacher in the implementation of a developmentally appropriate, play-based, culturally responsive, and equity-oriented educational program with an emergent curriculum for an assigned program and age range of children from a variety of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.

Prepare and maintain a safe, attractive, neat, and functional environment, both indoors and outdoors, and utilize the environment as a teaching tool.

Assist program staff with lunch and break time schedules. Assume lead teacher duties when needed.

Family Engagement: ensure consistent and clear communication with parents, maintaining an atmosphere of warmth and openness. Assist the lead teacher child assessments and communication with the child’s parents; participate in "open house" for parents.

Repeatedly lift, reach (overhead, at and below shoulder level), squat, crouch, climb, sit, bend, stretch, twist, grasp/move small objects, push and pull, and engage in all other physical movements needed to fully participate in supervision and curriculum and care delivery activities, which take place while standing, sitting (including on floor or low chairs), and walking.

Form a positive, supportive team atmosphere with other program teachers and staff members and contribute to the Center’s professional community through attendance and participation at staff meetings, classroom team meetings, and other Center staff development opportunities.

Model exemplary and high-quality practice and professionalism for students who are engaged in early childhood professional preparation.

Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:

An Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development from a recognized program; OR a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential; OR
A minimum of twenty semester hours (thirty quarter hours) of college courses in Early Childhood Education or Child Development; AND one year of experience in a certified day care center or comparable group care program; OR
Two years of experience, including at least one year as a teacher, in a certified day care center or comparable group child care program.
Experience in Early Care and Education
Demonstrable contributions to promoting and enhancing inclusive excellence.
Effective verbal and written communication.
Must be enrolled in the Oregon’s Office of Child Care Central Background Registry, hold a current Oregon Approved Food Handlers card, and a current First Aid/CPR card by time of appointment.
This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

Preferred Qualifications:

BS or BA in Human Development, Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or related field and meets NAEYC accreditation requirements.
3+ years of experience in birth to three ECE program
Experience using child development assessment
Experience teaching or working with children who have special developmental needs.

Oregon State University

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Associate Teacher