Characteristics of Work

Under the direction of the Teacher, the Teacher Assistant is responsible for assisting the Teacher in planning and organizing; implementing activities; record keeping and reporting; supervising and guiding; training; and supporting and collaborating to ensure the delivery of comprehensive services to children, including those with disabilities, enrolled in the Head Start program. Incumbents are expected to assist in providing all children with a safe, nurturing, engaging, enjoyable, and secure learning environment, in order to help them gain the confidence necessary to succeed in their present environment and to deal with later responsibilities in school and life.

 

Essential Functions

These essential functions include but are not limited to the following: Additional essential functions may be identified and included by the agency.     

 

Planning  and Developing

Assists in preparing and implementing daily plans, schedules, and activities in accordance with the Division of Children's Services' work plan.

 

• Shares in arranging classroom space into well-organized learning centers.
• Assists in planning field trips in accordance with program schedules and field trip plans.
• Assists in determining the need for classroom supplies and equipment.
• Assists in providing positive discipline and supervision for children at all times.
• Assists in establishing classroom, playground, and school bus safety rules with children.
• Accompanies Teacher on a minimum of two (2) scheduled home visits per child, per program year.

 

Implementing Activities

• Demonstrates and encourages good health and safety practices.
• Assists in maintaining a clean, safe, and healthy learning environment.
• Demonstrates and encourages good eating habits in accordance with the agency's family style meal services procedures.
• Participates in two staff-parent conferences per child, per program year.
• Rides with Bus Drivers as assigned.

 

Record keeping and Reporting

• Assists in documenting and maintaining required children's records in the Galileo computerized assessment program.
• Reports cases of suspected child abuse/neglect in accordance with state law.

 

Communicating and Guiding

• Meets, greets, observes, and assesses children daily. Recruits volunteers and in-kind contributions.
• Serves on program committees and boards of other organizations affiliated with the children and families.

 

Training and Supporting

• Participates in staff meetings, parent meetings and training sessions.
• Participates in educational and professional training as required to maintain appropriate credentials.

 

Additional Responsibilities

• Performs other duties and assignments as directed by supervisor.

 

Qualifications

A. A. Degree (any field) or Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential and one (1) year of experience working with preschool children.

 

Special Requirements

Applicant must:

            -pass Criminal Background and Child Abuse Central Registry Checks

            -meet State health requirements

            -have ability to communicate effectively

            -demonstrate proper use of grammar, legible manuscript, and cursive writing.

 

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, use hands to fingers, hand or feel objects when interacting with children. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 40 lbs. if necessary to lift a child. While performing the duties of this job the employee primarily works in an indoor environment.

 

Supervisory Control

The Teacher Assistant is directly responsible to the Teacher, who is responsible to the Center Administrator. The Teacher Assistant will be evaluated at least semi-annually by the Teacher. The evaluation will be conducted through a process of performance monitoring and progress reviews conducted by the Children's Services Specialist in collaboration with the Teacher and Center Administrator. The evaluation will be reviewed by the Director of Children's Services.