Teaching Assistant

Teacher Assistants play a vital role in our mission to give every child a strong start. Working as part of a collaborative teaching team, you'll help create classrooms that are safe, engaging, and full of opportunities for growth. You'll become familiar with the standards that guide our work—Head Start Performance Standards, Vermont Early Learning Standards, and state child care licensing regulations—and help ensure children experience high-quality care every single day. Teamwork is at the heart of this role: you'll meet regularly with colleagues, share ideas, and work side-by-side to support each child's development. 

Primary Functions:

• Meet the qualifications for at least Trainee in the Vermont Child Care Licensing
• Regulations for Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs and Head Start
• Performance Standards.
• Teacher Assistants model positive, respectful interactions with adults and children alike.
• They are role models for parents, and an ambassador for the program.
• Participate in a developmentally appropriate preschool experience for children.
• Participate in parent activities in collaboration with Family Partners.
• Participate in regularly scheduled individual supervision meetings, team meetings, center staff meetings, staff development days, and SEV CA All Staff meetings.
• Participate in ongoing training according to an Individualized Professional Development
• Plan that meets the requirements of the Vermont Child Care Licensing Regulations for
• Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs for this position.
• Assist the lead teacher and teacher associate with aspects of the classroom including: paperwork, curriculum planning, screenings, and documentation for children's assessments.
• Assist in daily room maintenance.
• Substitute for the teacher/teacher associate in her absence.
• Respect and respond competently to the culture, traditions, lifestyle, language, and values of each family and community.
• Offer parents opportunities to be involved in group activities, meetings, and educational activities based on their interest and need. Also offer opportunities for parents to build on their goals, strengths, and access needs.
• Facilitate and support family engagement activities in collaboration with Family Partners.
• Contribute to the Monthly Newsletter.
• Contribute input to monthly Case Management meetings with Family Partners.
• Ability to speak the language of the majority of the children in the classroom.
• Ability to work collaboratively with coworkers and maintain a team effort at all times.
• Represent the program at local, state and regional meetings and conferences.
• Ability to lift, twist, and tum with 50 pounds of weight.
• Enter and submit biweekly attendance to Child Care Services Manager (for full day classrooms only)
• Behavior management and interactions with children must be positive and respectful.
• Fulfill role as mandated reporter as stated in Child Abuse and Neglect Policy.
• Be present at work in order to provide consistency of services.
• Complete needs assessment and participate in the practice-based coaching model within the program, if selected
• Other duties as assigned.

Other Functions:

• Perform any other duties requested and/or approved by the Lead Teacher, Teacher Associate, Education/Disabilities Manager or Executive Director that are consistent with the functions of this position for Head Start, and with the mission, goals, and priorities of SEVCA

Job Standards/Accountability:

Teacher Assistants will adhere to the Head Start Performance Standards, Vermont Early Learning Standards, and the Vermont Child Care Licensing Regulations for Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs, the SEVCA Personnel Policies and SEVCA/WCHS (Windsor County Head Start) Policies and Procedures. Teacher Assistants report directly to the Lead Teacher and the  Education/Disabilities Manager .

Qualifications:

• Current CDA, completed Fundamentals Class, or completed 3 credits in early childhood education; or high school diploma/GED and completion of Fundamentals Class or 3 credit course in early childhood education within the first 12 months of employment.
• Minimum of 15 clock hours of professional development activities each year.
• Experience working with young groups of children.
• Experience with working with low-income families.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of families and children at all times.
• Ability to obtain a satisfactory criminal record and fingerprint check
• Collaborative, team-oriented approach to work and working relationships.