Head Start Assistant Teacher - Baltimore City Headstart

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, preparing children to be well-prepared for kindergarten and more successful in school and later in life.

About the role

The Head Start Assistant Teacher provides assistance to the teacher in:

• Building on child and family strengths and supporting school readiness goals and social competence;
• Managing the classroom to create a stimulating and nurturing environment for growth, wellbeing, and development;
• Establishing and maintaining a safe, healthy learning environment;
• Advancing social, physical, and intellectual competence through positive guidance and intentional learning experiences;
• Establishing positive and productive relationships with families and engaging them in their child’s learning.

Responsibilities

• Ensure children are properly supervised at all times and take appropriate safety precautions for children’s well-being.
• Assist in selecting materials and equipment and arrange the classroom to provide a well-managed, welcoming environment conducive to learning.
• Identify and show respect for a child’s culture and home environment.
• Assist in implementing the designated curriculum using materials that address physical, cognitive, social, and emotional needs of children, consistent with Head Start Performance Standards and Catholic Charities mission, vision, and values.
• Assist in creating and maintaining a classroom environment that incorporates the principles of the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS):
  • Emotional Support: Creates and maintains a classroom where children are motivated, nurtured, and connected.
  • Classroom Organization: Creates and maintains a classroom where children consistently have engaging learning tasks.
  • Instructional Support: Implements the curriculum to effectively support cognitive and language development.
• Assist in developing lesson plans that support individualized instruction based on ongoing assessment of each child’s progress.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Ability to utilize computer systems and software necessary to perform position functions.
• Must begin the application for a Maryland State Department of Education credential within six months of employment and maintain current status.
• Must maintain current CDA status once obtained.
• 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 children on field trips and actively participate in activities;
  • Comply with the established work schedule and all policies and procedures.

Qualifications

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. Must agree to a professional development plan leading to completion of a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) or Associate degree in early childhood education. (Assistant Teachers hired before 7/1/08 do not need the 90-hour certification nor 9-hour communications class.)

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 leading to completion of a CDA or Associate degree in early childhood education or a related degree.

Assistant Teacher III – AA or higher degree with 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.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Long periods of standing and intermittent reaching, bending, walking, stooping, sitting (including sitting on the floor).
• Ability to move freely throughout the building, including climbing stairs in buildings without elevators.
• Ability to respond to a child in distress and lift up to 40 lbs. irregularly.

Schedule

Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM or 8 AM - 4 PM. Assignments are based on program needs, including enrollment, staffing levels, and vacancies at each location. Site placement decisions are finalized during the hiring process.

Pay

Hourly pay rate: $18 - $20/hour (depending on education). Sign-on bonus: $1,000-$2,000 (depending on full-time or part-time hours) for external candidates.

Benefits

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