Substitute Assistant Teacher

For more than 129 years, the mission of BKS has been to provide children from families who are low-income with access to a high quality education in a nurturing environment – an environment that cultivates their curiosity and extends the skills they need to succeed well beyond school. As a matter of compassion, justice, and solid public policy, BKS believes that every child deserves the opportunity to fulfill their potential.

We also believe in a work and learning environment based upon mutual trust and collaboration. That spirit of trust extends from the Executive Director and Board of Directors through to the staff, teachers, children, and families of BKS, creating a sense of community and shared responsibility between all stakeholders.

Children at BKS receive full-day educational classes with age-appropriate, evidence-based curricula and enrichment programs such as Spanish language music class, dance, the visual arts, and soccer. Beyond educational excellence, BKS also provides family services and support throughout the year. Our Early Learn centers are open 12 months a year, 10 hours a day.

BKS early childhood learning centers are located in public housing in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Crown Heights, Brownsville, and Historic Weeksville Gardens. Each year our centers serve nearly 400 children and their families. New York City relies heavily on organizations like BKS to make wider access to early childhood education available through Pre-K For All and 3-K For All.

JOB PURPOSE

Substitute Assistant Teacher’s will assist the Group Teacher and Teacher’s Aide as they ensure the safety and well-being of the children while they are in the classroom, playground or in any area of the center. The Substitute will play an integral role in providing classroom coverage in the absence of teachers and supporting various classroom functions at all of our sites under the guidance of our Education staff.

SCOPE OF INFLUENCE

• Assist in the direction of a class of students (maybe mixed age) through daily activities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Planning, Preparation Classroom and Behavioral Management (90%)

• Share ideas and observations from classroom time with the classroom team to assist in future assessment and development of curriculum
• Assists in the responsibility for the overall implementation of program policies and procedures and on-going communication with support and supervisory staff
• Responsible for maintaining statutory required teacher-child ratios in classroom during program operation
• Maintain a warm and inclusive environment where children and families feel welcome
• Model developmentally appropriate activities and positive behavior management techniques through daily contact with children and early childhood staff in the classroom
• Take part in active supervision of children, engaging them in enriched conversation throughout the day
• Tend to toileting; maintain a clean, safe and orderly classroom
• Assist in classroom opening if scheduled to opening shift and assist in classroom closings if assigned to a closing shift
• Direct classroom procedures including transitions, routines and small groups, as assigned
• Identifying difficulties and coaching children through conflicts utilizing problem solving skills
• Keeping full time staff abreast of any and all developments, that relate to classroom, children and families
• Developing an understanding of Head Start Performance goals, philosophy and ways of implementation
• Adhere to BKS policies and procedures; comply with required documentation and record keeping responsibilities for both the classroom functioning and for individual children
• Maintain compliance paperwork, and submit documents by deadlines assigned
• Report to work at time assigned, at all sites and classrooms as assigned

Other (10%)

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned

• Associate’s Degree required. Bachelor’s or working towards Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• Desire to work with children and low-income families in a multilingual and multicultural setting, with specialized training for dealing with this specific age group
• Ability to receive & provide feedback to colleagues in a professional setting
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Classroom teaching experience
• Knowledge of child development and sensitivity to the needs and characteristics of young children and families
• Must be able to meet physical requirements of working with young children, including walking up and down stairs, sitting on the floor and lifting a child
• Adaptable schedule to work as needed between the hours of 8AM and 6PM on days program is in operation

PRE- EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to pass Comprehensive Background Clearance through Department of Health and Mental Hygiene- Identogo and/or Department of Education Fingerprinting Screening, NYS Central Registry, Sex Offender Registry clearance, SEL check, three (3) reference checks, physical examination with updated TB test, varicella, tdap, MMR (fees may apply).
• Obtain Mandated Reporter training certificate (every two (2) years) and other Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and Head Start Performance Standard training requirements.
• If hired, Brooklyn Kindergarten Society requires all potential employees to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination.