Head Start - Assistant Teacher

About the role

This position works as a part of a teaching team to work as a partner with the teacher/lead teacher in developing activities for preschool (Head Start) children to provide them with varied experiences and an appropriate learning environment. Works with typically developing children and children with disabilities. Assistance is given to the teacher in carrying out the goals, policies, and activities designed to implement educational objectives and performance standards. This position works with families to promote parent involvement in the program. This position may be assigned additional duties based upon program need and areas of developing expertise. This position works along with the teacher/head teacher to attain the goals of the program. The position may be reassigned to various classrooms/centers as deemed necessary for program operations.

Responsibilities

• Preschool Classroom Activities:
  • Affords assistance in all classroom activities, field trips and outdoor activities including lesson plans.
  • Develops materials and provides activities related to the cultural background of the children and families served.
  • Participates in the screening, observation and documentation of children.
  • Supervises at mealtime, eating with the children to encourage good nutrition and proper social skills.
  • Maintains the classroom and its contents clean and orderly.
  • Familiarizes with each child and parent.
  • Utilizes initiative and imagination to assist the child and be perceptive and knowledgeable about the needs of each child.
  • Affords assistance in any aspect of the program as the need arises.
  • Takes charge of the class in the teacher's absence.
  • Makes home visits with the teacher as required or requested and documents them as requested.
  • Affords assistance with identifying and arranging for parents to volunteer in the classroom as volunteers and substitutes.
  • Affords assistance with the supervision of all assigned volunteers in the classroom.
• Parent/Family Involvement And Community Relations:
  • Affords assistance in meeting the program's needs for parent/family involvement in each classroom.
  • Establishes a relationship of trust and rapport with the families of the children.
  • Communicates with families to facilitate positive interaction with the program, awareness of the child’s needs and development, how the activities of the program promote positive development and their roles in the child’s overall education and development.
  • Affords assistance in the training of families as requested.
  • Affords assistance in involving parents/families in the educational activities of the program: to emphasize their role as the principal influence on the child's education and development; and to assist parents/families to increase their knowledge, understanding, skills and experience in basic child development.
  • Affords assistance with collecting monthly in-kind records from parents and community members participating in the program.

Qualifications

• Minimum requirement is high school diploma or GED plus some experience working with preschool children.
• A current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is preferred.
• By September 30, 2013 the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 mandates that anyone holding the position of Assistant Teacher have, as a minimum requirement, one of the following:
  • A current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential;
  • Be enrolled in a CDA credential program to be completed within two years of being hired into the position;
  • An associate or baccalaureate degree (in any area);
  • Be enrolled in a program leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree.
• Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area).
• Within 90 days of employment, must obtain and continually maintain basic first aid and pediatric CPR certification (or sooner if required by local/state regulations).
• Acceptable tuberculosis screening results, a clear criminal records check (including child abuse registry check if required by state regulations) and an initial health exam are required post job offer and prior to employment.
• Current and former Head Start parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.