The learning assistant plays a pivotal role in the success of any Early Childhood classroom. The VMA learning assistant serves the needs of the teacher as well as the guidance of individual children.
The VMA Early Learning Assistant is called upon to:
• Be punctual for responsibilities before school and during the learning sessions. • Communicate clearly with the head teacher before the children arrive so that the projected routine of the day is clearly known. • Be ready to adapt routine in sync with the teacher should any circumstance require deviation of the routine. Alterations of plan should be accomplished with as little stress as possible for teacher, assistant, and most importantly, for children. • Follow the directions of the head teacher regarding routines, preparation of materials for lessons or centers. • Be responsible to conclude clean-up of one activity so that head teacher may begin next point of instruction with a smooth transition and minimal down time for children. • Share observations and insights regarding children's learning styles and/or behaviors verbally as well as daily record keeping sheets. • Be ready to monitor the movement of children through the room while the head teacher may be engaged in small group instruction. If an assistant is engaged with a group at the same time, she will need to be observant of the room and move as needed to assist any child. • Defer to the head teacher in a supportive manner in any conversation with parents or caregivers. Refrain from specifically answering parents' questions in the matters of child behavior or learning skills. Communicate parents' questions or comments as soon as possible to the head teacher who will offer timely response to parents. • As preschool years are a preparation for a life of learning and social engagement, the assistant will cooperate with the head teacher to consistently guide children in ways of grace and courtesy (language and behavior) toward all. • Move about the playground area (or gym space) to observe language and engagement of children. General play time for children serves as periods of observation and supervision of children. • Play periods will serve as an opportunity to observe, assess, and record gross motor skills and social language skills. • Be dressed as a professional within an early childhood classroom. This is in accord with the guidelines of the VMA personnel handbook. • Visitors in the classroom: When a visitor enters with the admissions director, the assistant will immediately rise to monitor the activity of the children while the head teacher moves to greet and converse with prospective parents.
Interested applicants are asked to send a cover letter and resume to: Sister Patricia Scanlon, IHM [email protected] 601-644-4864 x 102
