Classroom 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 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 afternoons. 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: $20.90/hour + applicable statutory payroll benefits

Key Responsibilities

Program Delivery, Support and Accountability

• 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 and support the Lead Instructor in maintaining administrative binders for each site, including all required paperwork for each child;
• Commit to following the prescribed Get Ready for School program 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(s) and seek assistance when required
• Support the Lead Instructor 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

• Complete and submit biweekly electronic timecard;
• In rare instances, there may be times when 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; and
• 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 settings 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 or willingness to lead peers;
• Experience working in a non-profit setting an asset;
• Ability to lift a 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, Microsoft Teams 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 Workers 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; and
• Attend required Get Ready for School training sessions, approximately 10 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.