Head Start Teacher Assistant

About the role

Join us in making a difference for children and families. Our mission is to provide high-quality early childhood education and support.

Responsibilities

• Protect the physical and mental health and safety of our children and no child is left alone or unsupervised while under our care.
• Assist with the provision of responsive care, effective teaching, and an organized learning environment that promotes healthy development and children’s skill growth aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework.
• Affirmative action items include supporting screenings, assessments, and ongoing evaluations of the child’s developmental level and progress in outcomes.
• Support opportunities for parents and family members to engage in their child’s development and in program services, including but not limited to parent conferences, home visits, and group activities.
• Follow appropriate practices to keep children safe during all activities, including reporting at a minimum suspected or known child abuse and neglect, appropriate supervision of children at all times; and all standards of conduct.
• Comply with positive adult-child interactions as measured by the CLASS Pre-K instrument.
• Complete minimum training requirements as specified in state and federal standards.
• Regular communication with teachers ensures they are well-informed about their students’ behavior, and progress.
• Maintain child files, classroom forms, and other documentation and ensure those documents are compliant, current, and organized.
• Monitor classroom and make certain it is free from physical and environmental hazards.
• Ensure incident reporting occurs within the timeframes designated in program policy and protocol.
• Use age-appropriate equipment, materials, supplies and physical space for indoor and outdoor learning environments, including functional space, and change materials periodically to support children’s evolving interests and development.
• Support teachers’ response to classroom observations through modifications to teaching strategies and lesson plans in accordance with prescribed curricula.
• Communicate child observations to teachers, including the identification of potential interference with a child’s development and school readiness.
• Support teachers’ coordination with education, family, mental health and/or child development professional program staff to address identified needs.
• Participate in school functions, scheduled meetings and team decision and operations.
• Work collaboratively with other staff members, service providers and professionals.
• Maintain confidentiality in all areas of child and program operations.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Ability to respond sensitively and competently to the service population’s cultural and socio-economic characteristics.
• Effective written and verbal communication in English and Spanish (preferred).
• Ability to maintain emotional control and professional composure at all times.
• Working knowledge of all INK policies and procedures.
• Ability to organize and prioritize duties and responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.
• Complete and pass health examination.
• Confirm work eligibility status.
• Successfully pass driving history check.
• Criminal background check required.
• Required to lift up to 60 pounds.
• Required to stand, sit on the floor, bend, squat, kneel, lift children, and engage with children.
• Exposure to communicable diseases, and other hazards such as cigarette smoke, pets, at risk neighborhoods, etc.
• Travel up to 50% by car, bus, airplane, or train may also be required associated with attendance at conferences, meetings and other duties carried out at distant locations in and out of state and in some cases where some overnight travel may be required.
• Some evenings and weekend work may occasionally be required for events such as home visits, parent teacher conferences, Parent Committee meetings, community, and social events such as field trips.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and more.

Pay

Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Flexible schedule to accommodate the needs of both the employee and the organization.

Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field, two years of experience in the preschool classroom setting, and bilingual (Spanish).

Skills

Strong interpersonal skills, ability to work independently, and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications are essential.

Benefits

Health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, professional development opportunities, and more.

Contact

To apply, please visit our website or contact us directly.

INK, is an Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) Employer. It has been and will continue to be a fundamental policy of INK, not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination.