Teacher Assistant Early/Head Start

About the role

Provides classroom leadership in the absence of the teacher to ensure consistency of the daily schedule, implementation of the lesson plan and other activities. Always provides direct supervision of students while in the classroom.

Responsibilities

• Ensures classroom is set up and materials are prepared for implementation of the daily schedule including all learning activities, all meals, story time, and other activities.
• Aids the teacher in creating a nurturing learning environment through communication, play, and socialization that supports the social-emotional, cognitive, and physical and language development of children ages birth-5.
• Assists with planning and implementing learning experiences that ensure effective curriculum implementation and use of assessment.
• Participates in weekly lesson plan development with teaching team.
• Conducts standardized and structured assessments, within mandated timeframes, for each child that provide ongoing information to evaluate the child’s speech and developmental level.
• Utilizes the information from all observations to determine a child’s strengths and needs, inform and adjust strategies to better support individualized learning and improve teaching practices.
• Enters all observations into appropriate systems following documentation procedures.
• Observes, documents, and addresses challenging behaviors to determine cause and implement preventive measures, teach a new behavior, communication, and/or social skill to minimize or eliminate the behavior.
• Follows appropriate practices to keep children safe during all activities, including, at a minimum:
• Reporting of suspected or known child abuse and neglect to Franklin County Children Services according to agency procedures and the Ohio Revised Code Section 2151.421.
• Safe sleep practices, including ensuring that all sleeping arrangements for children under 18 months of age use firm mattresses or cots, as appropriate, and for children under 12 months, soft bedding materials or toys must not be used.
• Proper indoor and outdoor supervision of children at all times.
• Only releasing children to an authorized adult.
• Adheres to all standards of conduct described in Head Start Performance Standards 1302.90(c).

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Must have a CDA credential or a state-awarded certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements for a CDA credential, are enrolled in a program that will lead to an associate or baccalaureate degree or, are enrolled in a CDA credential program to be completed within two years of the time of hire.
• Must have reliable transportation.
• Must submit to a background check, including BCI and FBI Criminal Records, Federal and State Sex Offender registries and the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System and be eligible for employment as required by ODJFS.
• Prefer one year of experience in a childcare or Head Start setting (ages Birth - 5) classroom, and knowledge of diverse ethnic groups. Experience should include adapting the curriculum to meet the needs of all children.
• Must have flexible schedule to accommodate family needs, may include some evening or weekend hours.
• Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills and must have the ability to read and interpret documents, write reports, present information to staff and parents, and respond to questions in a timely manner.
• Intermediate to advanced computer skills, internet, and e-mail.