Instructional Support AmeriCorps Member

ABLE Early Childhood, an AmeriCorps program, supports school readiness by increasing math comprehension in 3, 4- and 5-year old students. Instructional Support AmeriCorps members will serve full-time in a Pre-K classroom with Say Yes Buffalo Early Childhood Services at West Hertel Academy P.S. 94. Members serve under the guidance of lead teachers and are coached/mentored through daily hands-on service learning. Members will also implement evidence-based math games and activities. ABLE members must consistently provide safe conditions for the children and must always adhere to NYS OCFS or school regulations.

Position Summary: The ABLE Instructional Support Aide will work full-time supporting student learning. They will support the Lead Teacher (TI) and Co-Lead/Teacher Assistant (TII) with ensuring high-quality instruction. They will demonstrate and model a passion for purposeful learning through play and equitable early childhood practices, preparing students for UPK in Buffalo Public Schools.

This is a funded contract position with ABLE Early Childhood AmeriCorps program.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Use developmentally appropriate practices to facilitate activities with groups and individuals
• Supporting small groups of students who are categorized as below standards in math skills
• Submit weekly intervention data
• Use developmentally appropriate practices to facilitate activities with groups and individuals.
• Observe and record behaviors of children to assist the Teaching Team in the identification of each child’s strengths and areas to grow.
• Integrate all equitable early learning standards and practices
• Utilize daily plans which reflect mandated elements, parental and cultural influences, and promote the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of children.
• Follow a consistent schedule that meets individual needs, including small and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, skill development, meals, and effective transitions between activities.
• Sanitize classroom equipment and laundry.
• Assist with meal service as needed.
• Assist the Teaching Team in maintaining accurate written/electronic records, including assessments, IFSP documentation, screening instruments, anecdotal observations, and other required forms.
• Attend meetings, trainings, and appropriate professional development activities.
• Ability to relate to families in a holistic fashion that incorporates education, social services, health and nutrition, and family issues.
• Willingness to comply with the established agency performance standards which include:
• Productivity/personal responsibility, embracing a team player orientation, and maintaining a professional demeanor.
• Demonstrate self-motivation, continual learning, and taking initiative.
• Practice professional and effective interpersonal communication skills.
• Nurturing character that enables the building of a respectful, trusting and loving relationship with children and their families.
• Ethical and professional conduct that enables the building of a respectful, trusting and collaborative relationship with the staff and partners.
• Modeling of appropriate behavior for children, parents, and other staff.
• Adhere to AmeriCorps, Say Yes Buffalo, Buffalo Public Schools, and New York State Office of Children and Family Services, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Frequent significant decision and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to apply Early Childhood Development theory in daily activities and adapt to the individual needs of children.
• Significant decision and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work as a team member collaborating with staff, families and community resources.
• Ability to maintain respectful relations and communication with staff, families, children and community.
• Ability to supervise preschool children and ensure a safe environment.
• Ability to respond to events happening at all times in classroom, outdoor play areas and on field trips. This includes the physical ability to move quickly in order to respond to children who are very active and may need redirection or restraint in order to ensure their safety or the safety of others in the environment.
• Ability to interact with children at their eye level, ie. sitting, kneeling, stooping, bending.

Minimum Requirements:

• Experience in early learning classroom, leading and/or executing lesson plans preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills highly desirable.
• Complete and maintain annual training hour requirements.
• Intermediate computer skills, word processing, internet and e-mail.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien

Believe and practice Say Yes Racial Equity Statement, “Equity will be achieved when we can all just wake up and live freely; be valued and respected; live free from structural impediments based off of perceived racial characteristics; and, have fair representation and opportunity.”

Other initiatives:

• Participate in occasional physical service projects
• Engage in remote service opportunities coordinated by the local AmeriCorps State Commission with approval from the ABLE and school staff

You will receive:

• Health Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Bi-weekly living stipend of $888.07
• End-of-Service Segal Education Award - up to $4,826.50
• AmeriCorps Uniform
• Childcare benefits paid by AmeriCorps
• Professional development through monthly trainings
• Loan forbearance and interest accrual payments for qualified student loans
• Time accrual toward the U.S. Department of Education’s Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, (see Reduction of Education Costs)
• Option to pursue the Child Development Associate Credential
• Networking opportunities as a member of the ABLE Member Cohort and Service Collaborative communities

Job Types: Contract, Full-time

Pay: $1,776.14 per month

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance

Grade levels:

• Elementary school
• Kindergarten
• Pre-Kindergarten

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

School type:

• Public school

Work Location: In person