ASSISTANT TEACHER

Description

The Assistant Teacher works collaboratively with other site and classroom staff to provide educational experiences appropriate to the growth and development of each of the three to five-year-old children assigned to his/her care, while supporting the individual goals of the children and the overall goal of promoting social competency, and providing consistency in activities at the center and on the Head Start bus.

Requirements

RECORDKEEPING 

· Complete   all required paperwork according to program policies and procedures: weekly   attendance records, USDA reports (daily meal counts), Child Abuse and Neglect   Reporting form, monthly volunteer records, and all other records as   required. Complete Classroom daytime   family engagement reports, which include any activities or events that   parents are invited to attend.

· Conduct   and document observations/screenings as assigned. 

CURRUCULUM   AND ASSESSMENT

· Work   collaboratively with agency staff assigned to the classroom to prepare and   conduct daily, individualized programming, for children and families   according to team-developed lesson plans based on developmentally appropriate   and best practices.

· Use   the Positive Guidance policy and personal safety guidance with classes   including any program approved curriculum. Provide behavior management for individual children, including   consulting with the Mental Health Consultant who will assist with further   screening and ISP development as beneficial.

· Follow   all conduct and safety policies and procedures to ensure the children’s   safety at all times including ensuring children are within sight and sound of   RWCFS staff at all times. 

· Participate   in the IEP, IFSP process for serving children with special needs and   implementation of appropriate support plan. 

FAMILY   PARTNERSHIP BUILDING 

· Advise   mothers, fathers and guardians of classroom and Head Start activities,   events, meetings and program initiatives, such as Family Literacy, Parent   Center Meetings, Family Nights, Fatherhood Friday and other appropriate   workshops, trainings or other opportunities for family engagement. 

· Assist   and participate in planning, set up, conducting and clean-up of Family   Nights.

· Assist   the lead teacher in making a minimum of three required home visits to each   child’s home and two parent/teacher conferences held in the family’s home or   at the center. These home visits will be used to provide orientation to the   program, solicit parental input for their child’s curriculum, and support   effective transitions to the next appropriate educational setting, to share   child’s progress and to maintain a close partnership with parents.

FAMILY   ENGAGEMENT 

· Communicate   with parents through a variety of mediums to provide program   orientation, involve them in their   child’s education, discuss their child’s progress, suggest activities that   can be continued in the home, and develop individualized programing.

· Assist   families with transition planning for children into and out of Head Start,   and to the next appropriate setting.

TRANSPORTATION

· Follow   all procedures and policies in regards to Transportation

· Provide   bus monitor services as determined by classroom need, including but not   limited to: providing supervision of   children during the bus ride, child boarding and exiting, securing children   in appropriate safety restraint systems, oversight of child pick up and   release, responding to emergencies, assist with conducting/participating in   monthly bus evacuation drills.

· Implement   activities on the bus as outlined in lesson plans.

COMMUNICATION

· Maintain   documentation of parent contact regarding child behavior and adjustment to   school, home visits, health and nutritional needs, educational curriculum,   goals and progress, family emergency contact information changes, and all   other information pertinent to the child’s health, safety, well-being and   educational progress.

· Maintain   communication with the Family Service Coordinator regarding parent concerns,   parent living conditions or requests for assistance. 

· Maintain   established work schedule, punctual, accountable; and willing to adapt   schedule to meet unexpected needs and changes of the agency.

· Follow   and comply with all safety and work rules and regulations. 

· Maintain   open and positive communication and create a supportive/encouraging   atmosphere for children, families and co-workers. 

LEADERSHIP   RESPONSIBILITIES

· Collaborate   and work as a team with the families, Early Head Start/Head Start program   staff, child care collaborators, 

students and volunteers.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or 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. Transcripts are required to validate educational requirements.

Employee must be 18 years of age or older.

Must have or be able to obtain CPR and First Aid certificates.

Requires excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times.

Ability to maintain good attendance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Associate degree in Early Childhood Education (Pre-K) 

Ability to operate a variety of office machines, such as computer, keyboard, copier, FAX machine, computer printer, etc.

It is desirable for the employee to be fluent in English and Spanish.