Infant/Toddler Associate Teacher

CHS Harrisburg - Harrisburg, PA

Full-Time

CHS Harrisburg will be the second Center to open under the Catherine Hershey Schools organization, and is expected to open in 2024. The two-story, 48,692-square-foot building, located at the northeast corner of North 6th St. and Muench St., will include a Family Success Center, an Innovation Studio, and an experiential learning garden. The Center will accommodate 150 children from birth to age 5 and is expected to employ up to 80 employees and volunteers.

To prepare for the opening of CHS Harrisburg in 2024, teachers and staff will receive pre-opening professional development, coaching, training, and team building through the CHS Development Program. This is a unique opportunity for early childhood professionals to expand their knowledge, grow their careers, and launch a child-focused state-of-the-art early learning center.

The Associate Teacher is an individual passionate about education, and excited about working with children to further their educational and emotional growth. In collaboration with the Lead Teacher and the Assistant Teacher, the Associate Teacher is responsible for supporting the implementation of the early childhood classroom curriculum and assessment process, involving families in classroom experiences, and cultivating a classroom environment that represents each child’s family culture. This individual is responsible for supporting the Lead Teacher in planning and implementing the daily education program for children. The Associate Teacher reports to the Assistant Director to provide information should a risk of issue arise. Minimum starting salary is $43,000. A higher salary will be offered if candidate has a bachelor's degree, certification, and years of teaching experience.

Responsibilities:

Implementing classroom lesson plans linked to child outcomes, program development, and classroom routines/schedules
Participating in classroom coaching cycles
Enhancing social, emotional, and cognitive development through age-specific manipulatives, activities, and language experiences for children
Supervising and providing a safe and nurturing environment for children
Observing, assessing, and documenting each assigned child’s health, skills, behavior, growth, and development
Assuming Lead Teacher’s responsibilities in the Lead Teacher’s temporary absence
Ensuring general classroom management, organization, cleanliness, and maintenance
Caring for safety and hygiene of children on a frequent basis
Scheduling family/staff conferences and, in collaboration with the Lead Teacher, conducting meetings
Maintaining daily communication with families using multiple channels of communication
Completing all required program documentation and submitting it in a timely manner to the Lead Teacher
Completing daily attendance and meal participation reports
Remaining compliant with all state licensing requirements as they pertain to health, safety, and professional requirements
Acting as a role model for child development
Maintaining confidentiality as it pertains to program, staff, and families

Qualifications:

Current Child Development Associate credential issued by the Council for Professional Recognition OR at least 12 college credits in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, or early childhood special education; level A or B certification in the PA ECE Career Pathway preferred
Experience and knowledge in Early Childhood Education program and teaching standards, including code of ethics – NAEYC standards preferred
Familiar with inquiry-based and project approach learning, as well as PBIS strategies preferred
Demonstrated understanding of and ability to effectively work with low-income families preferred
Comfortability with technology including MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and /or willingness to learn
Excels at engaging with parents/caregivers, including initiating discussions when necessary
Responsible, enthusiastic, and cares about working in a mission-focused organization
Willingness to be held accountable and receive feedback
Exceptional interpersonal skills including the ability to influence, lead, and educate teams
Ability to physically interact with children (e.g., talk, hear, stoop, kneel, crouch, etc.) and lift and or move items of up to 40 pounds
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities
Ability to proactively identify problems and implement solutions
Commitment to the mission and values of CHS and MHS and demonstrated high degree of integrity as all MHS and CHS staff are considered to be role models for students
U.S. work authorization and successful completion of pre-employment background checks and clearances

Who We Are and What We’re Looking For

At CHS, we are leaders passionate about early childhood education and community betterment. Our work is driven by the desire to endow children with the resources for educational and physical well-being, while supporting and empowering their families. We listen to the needs of our diverse community and adapt to give everyone a voice. We hold each-other accountable for bringing our best and most authentic selves to school every day, creating an environment of mutual respect.

We strive to build a team of individuals that is passionate about our mission, brings in new creative ideas, and loves their work. If this sounds like you, we look forward to seeing your application.

Apply Now

Teacher and students looking at an abacus

About Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning

For more than 110 years, Milton Hershey School (MHS) has helped children realize their full potential by offering a top-notch private, cost-free education to students in pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade from income-eligible families. To expand and enhance the impact of Milton and Catherine Hershey’s vision, the Boards and management of Milton Hershey School and the Hershey Trust Company are launching the Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning (CHS), a cost-free, non-residential early childhood education program.

CHS plans to open six early childhood education Centers by 2027. The Centers are designed for children from birth to age 5 from economically disadvantaged and at-risk backgrounds with the goal of encouraging the development of a child’s educational, cognitive, social, emotional, and physical well-being. The CHS Initiative will provide a focus on core early learning programs through a rigorous and relevant curriculum that is aligned with a mission to nurture and educate enrolled children. Children also will receive supports such as nutritious meals and provisions of supplies, among other early learning enhancements. Finally, CHS will offer integrated support services for families of children enrolled in the Centers. CHS is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes diversity.

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Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning does not discriminate against applicants or employees, in hiring, promotion or any terms or conditions of employment, on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion or religious creed, veteran status, disability or use of a guide or support animal because of the blindness, deafness or physical handicap of the user or because the user is a handler or trainer of support or guide animals, or any other status protected under applicable federal or Pennsylvania law.