Assistant Teacher I

About the Role

As an Assistant Teacher, you will assist in the instruction of preschool-aged children in activities designed to promote social-emotional, physical, and cognitive growth. You will support the Teacher in the general day-to-day operations of the Head Start classroom, create and nurture strong partnerships with families, and ensure instruction aligns with best practices and Head Start Program Performance Standards. As a frontline representative of Save the Children, you will uphold the agency’s values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity, and Integrity while ensuring the safety and security of children and families.

Responsibilities

• Engage with children during all activities throughout the day, providing constant supervision indoors and outdoors to ensure a safe environment.
• Assist in planning and conducting activities with the Head Start Teacher to meet individual needs of children in accordance with the daily schedule.
• Guide and facilitate classroom projects, field trips, and other activities alongside the Head Start Teacher.
• Maintain classroom management using developmentally appropriate techniques.
• Provide a safe and developmentally appropriate learning environment through one-on-one and small-group interactions.
• Build effective relationships with children, families, and staff within the organization.
• Implement active supervision techniques to ensure no child is left alone or unsupervised at any time.
• Work closely with management to ensure compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards.
• Serve as a liaison between staff and parents, encouraging classroom involvement and home activities.
• Participate in parent-teacher conferences to discuss children’s individual development and progress.
• Assist children during mealtime to teach social and self-help skills and sound nutritional practices.
• Support children in health and personal habits, such as resting, brushing teeth, and toilet habits.
• Assist the Head Start Teacher in record keeping, including conducting and documenting observations, assessments, and screenings.
• Participate in staff meetings, committees, and training sessions.
• Assist in mobilizing and documenting matching in-kind activities, goods, and services.
• Demonstrate flexibility to stay until all children have left the program when necessary.
• Develop and document progress on professional development plans in cooperation with your supervisor.
• Take the lead in the classroom in the absence of the Teacher.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or a state-awarded certificate that meets or exceeds CDA requirements, or enrollment in a CDA credential program to be completed within two years of hire.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the purpose of the Head Start/Early Head Start program.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills; ability to follow directions and take initiative.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate successfully with individuals and teams at all levels, including students, families, coworkers, and community members.
• Experience working collaboratively with Head Start Teachers, staff, parents, and community partners to provide high-quality services.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding family information.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and online client management systems.
• Must participate in professional development training, including basic first aid and pediatric CPR certification as required by state licensing and HSPPS.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual (English/Spanish or English and other languages used by children and families).
• If in North Carolina, holding a Birth-Kindergarten (B-K) Licensure is preferred.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to perform medium to heavy physical work, including lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally, 20 pounds frequently, and 5-10 pounds constantly. Duties may involve sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, and grasping.
• Repetitive motion skills, keyboarding, and computer use are required.
• Must pass a pre-employment background check, including local, state, and national criminal records check, sex offender registries, employment and education verifications (including child abuse registry check if required by state regulations), and meet all state and local health requirements post-job offer and prior to employment.
• May require operating a motor vehicle; a valid driver’s license and compliance with Save the Children’s motor vehicle policies are required.
• Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.

Benefits

• Paid time off: 10 days winter break, 5 days spring break, 5 personal days, 11 holidays plus 2 floating holidays per year.
• Health: Competitive health care, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family. Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability benefits.
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA): Option to select HSA if enrolled in a High-Deductible Health Plan, with company matching a portion of the contribution.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Option to enroll in health care and dependent care FSAs.
• Life: Agency-paid life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) benefits.
• Family: Parental/adoption and fertility benefits.
• Employee Rewards Program: Annual merit increases and/or additional incentives for eligible employees.
• Retirement: Retirement savings plan with employer contributions (after one year).
• Wellness: Health benefits and support through Calm and company-hosted events.
• Employee Assistance Program: Free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services.
• Learning & Growth: Access to internal and external learning and development opportunities, mentorships, certification, and tuition assistance.