Assistant Teacher - Head Start

Summary

This is a 10-Month position

Position Summary:

 

The Assistant Teacher is responsible for assisting the Teacher in creating, maintaining and managing an attractive, warm, and challenging learning environment for all children enrolled in the Head Start program. The Assistant Teacher collaborates with all staff to facilitate the utilization of needed services to the children and their families. The Assistant Teacher assumes the role of the Teacher in the Teacher's absence.  

Duties

Primary Responsibilities

 

Early Childhood Education Services

•        Supports the Teacher as the curriculum is implemented through written lesson plans
•        Implements activities with children with the support and guidance of Teacher
•        Works with the Teacher to gather screening data, observations on individual childen; enters data on observations on a weekly basis
•        Participates in data meetings to review child outcome data

 

Child Interactions

•        Interacts with children frequently, affectionately, and respectfully at the child's level
•        Acknowledges feelings with sensitivity and models appropriate social behavior
•        Fosters children's positive self-concept by supporting individuality, independence, and the ability to make choices
•        Engages with children during meal time by sitting and eating with the children
•        Interacts in a manner consistent with the organization's commitment to anti-bias education

 

Supervision, Health and Safety of Children

•        Maintains and follows all state, federal, and Head Start's health and safety guidelines
•        Knows the numbers of children in direct care and maintains ratios at all times
•        Organizes the classroom environment and keeps equipment safe and clean
•        Responds immediately and appropriately to multiple or unexpected situations or emergencies

 

Building Effective Relationships with Families

•        Develops and maintains meaningful, productive relationships with families
•        Participates in required home visits with families
•        Promotes parents' overall involvement and participation in program governance
•        Promotes family involvement in agency-wide activities (e.g., health fairs, festivals, other activities)
•        Communicates regularly with families, both verbally and in writing, regarding the development and specific activities of the children 
•        Maintains confidentiality regarding children and families both in the center and externally 

 

Supporting Comprehensive Services

•        Works collaboratively with other agencies to help meet the needs of families in the program
•        Works in collaboration with other program staff and consultants to monitor, track, and coordinate services for children and parents

 

Administrative

•        Maintains records on each child according to program guidelines
•        Performs other duties requested by the Supervisor

Requirements

Required Qualifications

•        A High School Diploma or GED-Equivalent and a CDA or currently enrolled in a program leading to an Associate's or Bachelor's Degree
•        A minimum of two (2) years of experience working with children in an accredited child development program
•        Strong verbal and written communications skills
•        Ability to professionally interact with people of various cultural and social backgrounds
•        Ability to establish supportive relationships with staff and families from diverse backgrounds
•        Ability to utilize basic office equipment and familiarity with online learning and record-keeping databases
•        Ability to work within a team environment as a cooperative and supportive team member
•        Ability to sit on floor and lift children up to 40 lbs
•        Willing to pursue classes in Early Childhood Education, as required by the program

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, life, disability, EAP, retirement savings plan as well as generous leave policy and holiday calendar.