Classroom Aide (PRN) - Carroll County Headstart

About the role

Catholic Charities of Baltimore, Carroll County Headstart, is seeking a Classroom Aide to support and assist in providing a safe, stimulating, and nurturing environment for the growth, well‑being, and development of children. The role incorporates the agency’s mission, vision, values, and philosophies into daily work, demonstrating a positive attitude and commitment to excellence while promoting school readiness and family self‑sufficiency through holistic services.

Responsibilities

• Conveys messages that are respectful, patient, relaxed, and demonstrate interest in the child, resulting in children feeling valued and fostering positive self‑esteem.
• Assists the teaching team in selecting materials and equipment and arranging the classroom to provide a well‑managed, welcoming environment conducive to learning and appropriate to the developmental level of the children, supporting optimal engagement and respecting each child’s culture and home environment.
• Supports the teaching team in addressing the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional needs of children in a manner consistent with Head Start Performance Standards and Catholic Charities mission, vision, and values, thereby promoting holistic child development and school readiness.
• Assists in maintaining a classroom environment that incorporates the principles of the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS), resulting in enhanced emotional support, classroom organization, and instructional quality for improved learning outcomes.
• Emotional Support: foster a classroom where children are motivated, nurtured, and connected, leading to increased emotional security and willingness to engage in learning.
• Classroom Organization: ensure children consistently have meaningful activities and are interested and engaged in learning tasks, promoting better focus and academic achievement.
• Instructional Support: implement a curriculum that effectively supports cognitive and language development, resulting in measurable gains in children’s academic skills.
• Assists in providing appropriate classroom support for children with additional support needs, enabling their successful inclusion and participation in classroom activities.
• Models and demonstrates positive guidance and collaboration in interactions with children, co‑workers, and caregivers, fostering a respectful and cooperative classroom environment.
• Participates in team planning sessions with the teaching team to ensure coordinated instruction and consistency in meeting children’s developmental goals.
• Assists teaching staff to ensure that guidelines for appropriate behaviors are followed, supporting a safe and orderly learning environment.
• Complies with federal, state, and local guidelines and with the policies and procedures of the Maryland State Office of Child Care, Head Start, and Catholic Charities to ensure legal and programmatic compliance and high‑quality service delivery.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings and staff development activities to enhance professional skills and contribute to continuous program improvement.
• Successfully completes required training within established guidelines, resulting in up‑to‑date knowledge and skills for effective classroom support.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support the overall effectiveness and flexibility of classroom operations.

Requirements

• Education & Experience: High School Diploma/GED. For Classroom Aide II, 90‑hour Child Care Certification required.
• Physical Requirements & Work Environment: Position requires on‑site work (no remote/hybrid); may involve ascending/descending stairs, positioning in tight or confined spaces, remaining stationary (standing/sitting) for extended periods, moving between work sites, adjusting/moving objects up to 40 lbs, engaging in communication (speaking, listening, writing, electronic), repetitive wrist/hand/finger motions, assessing work quality, sufficient hearing and vision (with or without correction) to drive safely and observe/communicate, and may involve working in various outdoor weather conditions with children.

Skills

• Demonstrates accountability by consistently being punctual and maintaining reliable attendance.
• Exhibits strong interpersonal skills with a courteous and professional demeanor toward staff, clients, and visitors.
• Demonstrates patience and composure when working with children and interacting with parents, fostering positive relationships.
• Effectively connects with children, creating an engaging and enjoyable environment.
• Ability to use, or willingness to learn, computer systems and software necessary to perform duties, including basic computer skills, web browsing, online training, and email usage.

Benefits

• Health/Dental/Vision coverage
• Vacation, sick, and holiday pay
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with discretionary employer contribution
• Tuition Advancement
• Paid Parental Leave

Pay

Salary: $17.00 to $17.50 per hour (depending on credentials/education). Classroom Aide (501000) $17