Head Start And State Pre-K Teacher Assistant

POSITION PURPOSE: To assist the teacher and cooperate in a supportive role carrying out developmentally appropriate activities. To promote the health, nutrition, and education of the children and to attend to their safety and welfare.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Curriculum and Assessment

• Ensure health and safety of children at all times

• Assist the teacher in all aspects of managing a safe, healthy, and stimulating learning environment; planning curriculum activities and supervising groups of children; arranging the classroom and materials; keeping attendance records; observing, and recording assessments of individual children.

• Encourage experimentation, exploration, problem solving, cooperation, socialization and choice making: Develop positive relationships with all children by asking open-ended questions, listening respectfully, and providing positive acknowledgment

• Assist Teacher in developing weekly goals and plans which will be documented in a classroom planning book. These plan books will be used as part of ongoing monitoring by Head Teacher/supervisor monthly.

• Assist in setting up the environment (indoor/outdoor) for the activities of the day

• Assist in preparing classroom materials to support curriculum plans. Maintain materials both by maintaining the supply of materials in the classroom as well as assisting other assistants in maintaining organization and cleanliness of materials in larger storage areas)

PREVENTION AND EARLY INTERVENTIONS/DISABILITIES SERVICES

• Supervise and monitor children at all time.

• Participate in regularly scheduled staff meetings to plan for and deliver collaborative services across components.

• Respond appropriately to crisis or emergency situations that may occur

• Asses individual and group needs frequently throughout the day, attending to special needs, specific interests, and concerns. Share information and observations with Teacher daily.

FAMILY INVOLVEMENT AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

• Provide in atmosphere that promotes and reinforces family involvement in the classroom by welcoming and engaging with families and other classroom volunteers.

• Encourage and foster open communication with families that promotes and reinforces family involvement in the classroom by welcoming and engaging with families and other classroom volunteers/other agency staff

• Help plan and conduct monthly Family Engagement Events with building staff or agency staff when appropriate.

• Maintain confidentiality in compliance with agency Code of Conduct and confidentiality policy

UTILIZE DATA COLLECTIONS SYSTEMS TO SUPPORT CHILD/FAMILY AND AGENCY OUTCOMES

• Assist teacher in maintaining accurate written records, including: assessments, screening instruments, anecdotal observations and other required documentation or forms

• Document all significant classroom issues, family contacts, and home visits (when appropriate) in education file.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Attend meetings, professional development opportunities, and other trainings as appropriate. Must attend all professional development opportunities when it is mandated by funding sources, licensing or accreditation authorities

• Assist with breaks and other classroom needs as requested

• Supervision of children is everyone's responsibility

• Perform other duties as assigned

POSITION REQUIREMENTS: Must have a minimum of a Preschool Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) 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; ability to work with young children; must be First Aid and CPR certified; must be able to lift and carry children (typically 30 - 50 lbs.)