Teacher Assistant
About the role
CPLC's Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs provide full‑day, full‑year early childhood development services to low‑income children ages 0‑3 and their families in educationally‑stimulating learning environments. The Migrant Head Start program offers full‑day, full‑year services to children ages 0‑5 of migrant and seasonal farm‑worker families where hand‑picked and row crops are prevalent.
The Teacher Assistant functions as a partner in planning and implementing the classroom‑learning environment to promote school readiness by preparing children and families for school and life success. The Teacher Assistant assists and partners with the Teacher in providing high‑quality, developmentally appropriate care and education for children ages 3‑5 in a center‑based classroom in the CPLC ECD Program. In partnership and guidance from the teacher, the Teacher Assistant participates as part of a center‑based interdisciplinary team to support the child in all areas of development while providing education, disabilities, health, and social‑service support to families. The role requires abiding by all state and federal regulations that apply to the care and education of young children, including the revised Head Start Program Performance Standards (issued 9/1/2016), Head Start Act (12/7/2007), and CPLC ECD Content Area Plans and Procedures. The Teacher Assistant must actively supervise children by sight and sound in all environments, maintain health and safety regulations to create an optimum learning environment, and facilitate health practices to keep children safe on the school bus, outdoors, and indoors.
Responsibilities
- Partner in planning and implementing the classroom‑learning environment.
- Assist and partner with the Teacher in providing high‑quality, developmentally appropriate care and education for children ages 3‑5.
- Participate as part of a center‑based interdisciplinary team to support the child in all areas of development.
- Provide education, disabilities, health, and social‑service support to families.
- Abide by state and federal regulations (Head Start Program Performance Standards, Head Start Act, CPLC ECD Content Area Plans and Procedures).
- Actively supervise children by sight and sound in all environments.
- Maintain health and safety regulations to create an optimum learning environment.
- Facilitate health practices to keep children safe on the school bus, outdoors, and indoors.
Requirements
- Child Development Associate (CDA) or a state‑awarded certificate that meets or exceeds CDA requirements (per Texas Child Care Licensing for Texas centers; New Mexico State Child Care Regulations‑New Mexico Kids for New Mexico centers).
- High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma.
- 6 months experience working in an early childhood development setting.
- 12 credit hours from an accredited college or university (must include at least 6 credit hours in Early Childhood Development or a closely related field).
- Enrolled in a Child Development Associate Credential program that must be completed within 1 year from date of hire.
- Education obtained outside the USA must be evaluated by an accredited organization to determine equivalency to USA education standards.
Skills
- Computer literacy necessary; basic keyboard skills; ability to use computer, software programs (e.g., Microsoft Office, Adobe) and web‑based systems.
- Bilingual Spanish/English preferred.
Benefits
- Generous Paid Holiday
- Employee Recognition Program
- Paid Time Off & Paid Sick Days
- Free Preventative Services & Wellness Rewards
- Medical, Dental, and Vision for Spouse/Domestic Partner & Children to age 26
- Health Savings Account & Flexible Spending Account
- Life + Disability options
- Employee Assistance Program
- Telemedicine & Concierge Services
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Pet Care, Life Mart Purchase Discounts
- Tuition Reimbursement for qualifying degrees
- Mileage & Cell Reimbursement for qualifying roles
- Identity Theft Protection & Voluntary Benefits