Preschool Teaching Assistant

Full / Part Time

The Early Education Program (EEP) is looking for a qualified part-time and full-time Preschool Assistant Teacher to join our Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) classroom teams in Springfield! EEP classrooms offer 7-9 special-education-eligible preschoolers fun and engaging activities that meet their needs.

Assistant teachers are key members of the teaching team and help us provide a safe, organized, nurturing, and highly effective instructional program for all EEP children.

Responsibilities :

• Ensures that all children are safe and well-cared for at all times with an average ratio of four plus staff for 7-9 children.
• Assists in the set-up, organization, and maintenance of the classroom and materials / supplies; assists with record keeping copying, filing, and communication with families as directed by the classroom teacher.
• Interacts with children in warm, fun, and positive ways; is nurturing and shows enthusiasm.
• Is flexible, mindful, and responsive to individual child needs.
• Supports EVERY child in meeting developmental goals outlined in Oregon’s Early Learning and Kindergarten Guidelines (ODE, 2019) and on each child’s Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP).

Embeds key goals routinely. Capitalizes on opportunities to embed goals. Creates opportunities to embed goals.

Uses strategies that prevent challenging behavior; deals with child feelings with empathy; treats challenging behavior as communication;

helps teach social-emotional skills.

• Lesson plans for & may lead one-on-one and small groups daily; assists in large groups; leads or assists during free play / other routines including transitions.
• Assists in assessing child progress at least weekly / as directed by the teacher / service coordinator / site supervisor.
• Is welcoming to families. Shows respect for all families. Acts to secure the confidentiality of family records / information.
• Acts to maintain required State licensing requirements.
• Attends training requested by EEP's contractor, Director, and / or Site Supervisor.
• Demonstrates an excellent work ethic; is punctual; attendance is exemplary.
• Deals mindfully and flexibly with feedback; gives feedback respectfully.
• Interested in learning new skills; willing to be coached.

Skills and Requirements / Preferences :

• Experience with preschoolers is required.
• Preschool teaching experience is preferred.
• Experience with children with special needs is preferred.
• Communicating well with others is required.
• Loves children, passionate about teaching, and making a difference is required.
• Cool-tempered, friendly, mindful, and accepting of feelings is required.
• Creative and practical; excited to develop activities for children that are engaging / fun with a focus on the goals required.
• Understanding the principles of child development & key preschool teaching methods is preferred.
• Can act as a mediator between children is required.
• Enrolled on Oregon’s Child Care Central Background Registry (CBR) required.
• Fluent Spanish is preferred.
• BS / BA or Associate Degree in early childhood / special education or a related field is preferred.

Compensation and Benefits for Eligible Employees :

• Hourly rate range : $15.76 to $18.08 / hour.
• Medical and dental insurance or stipend.
• Paid holidays.
• Regularly scheduled breaks throughout the year.
• A retirement match.
• A hands-on mission-driven work environment.

About Early Education Program :

The Early Education Program (EEP) is Lane County’s largest specialized preschool. Since 1981, we have successfully served preschoolers with special needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and other developmental delays.

In 2016, our organization expanded to also serve preschoolers from income-eligible families in the Eugene and Creswell communities through Oregon's Preschool Promise program.

Currently, over 200 children attend our family of classrooms in Creswell, Eugene, Junction City, and Springfield.EEP offers great benefits, for eligible employees, paid time off, paid holidays, work life balance and a hands on, mission driven work environment.