Teacher Assistant - Head Start

About the role

Working at MWVCAA means becoming part of a mission-driven community dedicated to equity, dignity, and opportunity for all. We offer competitive pay, a rich company culture that values diversity, and an array of benefits.

Responsibilities

• Work with Teachers and Classroom Aides to provide support in one or more of the following program areas: education, food service and cleaning.
• Ensure safety in the classroom at all times, with appropriate supervision of children, utilizing the transition and counting form and procedure.
• Ensure children are released only to parent/guardians or authorized adults.
• Support teachers in providing for the development of children's cognitive, physical, social-emotional, language skills through implementation of curriculum, lesson planning and individualization.
• Conduct and record child observations to utilize in setting goals.
• Utilize lesson plans and a variety of curriculum to address children's individual goals, taking into account each child's characteristics, strengths, and needs.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Level 1: Must obtain Certificate of Completion in Early Childhood Education from an accredited college within two years from date of hire to maintain employment in the Program.
• Level 2: Certificate of Completion in Early Childhood Education from an accredited college.
• Six months of experience working in a Head Start classroom or one year of experience working with preschool children in a classroom/childcare setting.
• Successful registration with the Central Background Registry of the Child Care Division.
• Pass pre-employment physical examination, renewable every two years.
• Pass pre-employment and random drug/alcohol screenings.

Skills

• Demonstrates tact, diplomacy, and empathy when communicating with clients, staff and community partners.
• Proficiencies with Microsoft Office, videoconferencing platforms and web tools.

Physical and mental demands

• Specific vision abilities required include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
• Occasionally lift up to 10 pounds.
• Manual dexterity for handling office equipment.
• Able to remain calm during situations where staff or clients may be escalated.
• Able to mitigate stress associated with a busy office and regular deadlines.

Work environment

Mostly an indoor classroom environment.