Head Start Assistant Teacher

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Ensure that children are properly supervised at all times and take appropriate safety precautions for children’s well-being.
• Affix materials and equipment and arrange the classroom to provide a well-managed, welcoming environment conducive to learning and appropriate to the developmental level of the children.
• Identify and show respect for a child’s culture and home environment.
• Affix the designated curriculum using curriculum guides and other materials that address the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional needs of children and are consistent with Head Start Performance Standards and Catholic Charities mission, vision, and values.
• Create and maintain a classroom environment that incorporates the principles of the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS).
• Embody and maintain a classroom where children are motivated, nurtured, and connected.
• Create and maintain a classroom where children consistently have things to do and are interested and engaged in learning tasks.
• Implement the curriculum in a manner that effectively supports cognitive and language development.
• Affix lesson plans that support individualized instruction based on ongoing assessment of the progress and accomplishments of each child.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

  Education & Experience Requirements

  • Assistant Teacher I – High School Diploma/GED; a 9 hour MSDE approved communications class; 90 hour ECE certification; and one year of experience working with preschoolers in an approved setting or one year of college or a combination of experience and college that equals one year of experience.
  • Must agree to a professional development plan that will lead to the completion of a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA), or Associate degree in the field of early childhood education.
  • Assistant Teacher II – Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) and a 9 hour MSDE approved communications class; or 90 hour ECE certification and 30 ECE college credits. If hired with a 90 hour ECE certification and 30 ECE college credits, must agree to a professional development plan that will lead to the completion of a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA), or Associate degree in the field of early childhood education or a related degree.
  • Assistant Teacher III – AA or higher degree w/ approved coursework in ECE or approved as a teacher for grades Nursery-3 or K-8, or hold a teaching certificate from MSDE or any other state for early childhood in grade N-3 or K-8.

  Requirements & Abilities

  • Requires the ability to utilize computer systems and software necessary to perform position functions.
  • All Assistant Teachers must begin the application for a Maryland State Department of Education credential within six months of employment. Once this credential is received, it is the employee’s responsibility to maintain current status. It is also the employee’s responsibility to maintain current CDA status once that is obtained.
  • All Assistant Teachers must have the ability and willingness to relate effectively with individuals from diverse socio-economic groups; model appropriate language when interacting with children and adults; model professional responsibility and personal integrity; accompany the children on field trips and to actively participate with them in other activities; comply with the established work schedule and all policies and procedures.

  Physical Requirements & Work Environment

  • The position requires long periods of standing and intermittent reaching, bending, walking, stooping, sitting, including sitting on the floor, and the ability to move freely throughout the building including climbing stairs in those buildings where there isn’t an elevator.
  • Must have the ability to respond to a child in distress and have the ability to lift up to 40 lbs. irregularly.

  Benefits

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

  About the Role

  Catholic Charities of Baltimore, Head Start of Baltimore City is a child and family development program serving nearly 500 low-income families in west, south and southwest Baltimore City, for their children to be well prepared when entering kindergarten and thus more successful in school and later in life.