Classroom Lead Instructor
If you are passionate about helping young children reach their potential, then Strong Start Charitable Organization has an exciting opportunity for you. Strong Start to reading™ is a registered charity that provides community-based reading assistance programs to children. We are dedicated to helping young children learn to read. This essential life skill is the great enabler to learning and future success in school and in life.
In the role of a Lead Instructor with the Get Ready for School™ program, you will directly impact the lives of children ages 3 to 4, as they prepare for entry into Year 1 of kindergarten. Working collaboratively with a team of Instructors, you will encourage children through purposeful play and instruction in a rich learning environment. You will gain new skills and valuable experience as you leverage the training provided and implement this reputable, high-quality research-based program.
The successful candidate will be an energetic, responsible, compassionate person who works hard to support the children in the program to gain confidence as young learners. You will demonstrate a strong understanding of early years learning and child development. As you implement the program you will work with children in groups and individually, learning songs and activities with a focus on developing children’s early literacy skills and classroom learning behaviours. Prescribed lesson plans, along with training and materials, will provide all you need to implement this impactful program, providing a positive learning experience for the children attending.
Strong Start is committed to an inclusive selection process to attract candidates representing the diversity of the children and families we serve. Strong Start is an equal opportunity employer, and accommodations are available during all phases of the recruitment process. We ask that any applicants requiring accommodations make their needs known in advance
This is a limited-term, daytime position during the mornings and/or afternoon. Training occurs in December 2024 with the programming running from January 2025 to June 2025. The work week is 6-30 hours a week depending on the number of assigned sites.
Remuneration: $22.90/hour + applicable statutory payroll benefits
Key Responsibilities
Program Delivery, Leadership, Support and Accountability
- Provide leadership, support, and day-to-day coaching for your team of Instructors, placement students and/or volunteers;
- Meet with registrant families during Welcome and Final Visits;
- Perform a Behaviour Evaluation for each child in the first two weeks of the program and the last week of the program;
- Work with children ages 3-4 in whole groups, small groups and individually;
- Attend an orientation meeting at the program site(s) you will be instructing at;
- Develop and nurture positive relationships with the children in the program, their parents/guardians, the Instructing team, and Program Partner(s);
- Ensure that all Health and Safety procedures and policies are followed, including documentation (e.g., Incident/Accident Reporting Form);
- Keep accurate and up to date program records, maintaining administrative binders for each site, including all required paperwork for each child;
- Follow a prescribed teaching system and model best practices as outlined in the program manual and as requested by the Program Manager or Senior Program personnel.
- Work collaboratively with the Program team including the team of Instructors and Program Manager / Assistant Program Co-ordinator to facilitate the program at the site and seek assistance when required;
- Support the Instructing team in implementing the program including snack time, circle time, play time and small group instruction time; and
- Represent Strong Start in a professional manner at all times.
Administration, Organization and Materials for the Get Ready for School Lead Instructor
- Maintain administrative binders for each site including all required paperwork for each child and keep accurate and up-to-date program records;
- Be responsible for acquiring snack and work with Instructing staff to ensure snack is prepared and served each day;
- Complete and submit biweekly electronic timecard;
- There may be times that you are required to perform some work from home. When working from home, you must follow Strong Start’s Work from Home and Cyber Security policies and procedures; Use personal computer and Wi-Fi in private setting to perform administrative tasks and attend program meetings throughout the 6-month program
- A mobile device for communication with Program Team and Instructing team is required; and[CS1]
- Keep administrative and program materials in your home for the duration of the program, taking full responsibility for them while in your possession, if needed.
Qualifications, Skills, and Requirements
- Minimum of one-year experience working with children in either an educational or formal program setting;
- Gifted in encouraging and supporting young children including children with exceptional needs;
- Experience working with diverse populations including those from low-income levels and be sensitive to their needs;
- Proven organizational and communication skills;
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision;
- Strong interpersonal and cooperation skills; a team player;
- Experience leading and supervising adults; comfortable communicating with parents/caregivers;
- Experience working in a non-profit setting an asset;
- Ability to lift program bin of material, approximately 25 pounds;
- Ability to sit on the floor for up to 50 minutes;
- Access to a computer and secure Wi-Fi to allow for work from home; and
- Experience with Zoom or other similar virtual platforms is an asset.
Required Training and/or Certifications for the Get Ready for School Instructor:
- Trained in Standard First Aid and CPR-C.
- Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act & Ontario Human Rights Commission training certificate (training provided).
- Workplace Health and Safety Awareness for Supervisors certificate.
- WMHIS certificate (training provided).
- Current Vulnerable Sector Police Check or Declaration signed if you have worked for Strong Start within the past 12 months.
- Behaviour Management Systems Training (provided), approximately 6 hours. And
- Attend required Get Ready for School program training sessions, approximately 18 hours.
Please click on the “Apply ” button below to submit your application online, including your resume and cover letter. We thank you in advance for your interest. Only those invited for an interview will be contacted. To learn more about the Get Ready for School program, we invite you to visit our program page on our website.
Security and Privacy: Strong Start® Charitable Organization is committed to protecting the privacy of the personal information of its employees, volunteers, members, children, parents/guardians, donors, partners, and other stakeholders, by following responsible information handling practices in keeping with privacy laws. Please read our Privacy Notice here.
Application deadline: Friday, November 8, 2024, at 4:00 pm EST or until suitable candidates are found
