Early Childhood Education; ECE Teacher Assistant Job Anacortes area,Washington USA,Education / Teaching

Position: Early Childhood Education (ECE) Teacher Assistant

Early Childhood Education (ECE) Teacher Assistant

The ECE Teacher Assistant position is responsible for assisting all classrooms and kitchen at the Samish Head Start and Early Head Start Centers by providing high quality, consistent support for classroom staff and children. The ECE Teacher Assistant will help all children engage in classroom experiences, in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards and licensing WAC regulations. Although this position is not directly responsible for lesson planning, activity implementation, or child development assessments, full support of program values and activities is expected.

Principle Duties

Assists in implementing the daily program under the direction of the Lead Teachers.

Engages children in exploration, sensory experiences, and engaging conversations that encourage curiosity and continued conversation loops.

Maintains a general understanding of Head Start regulations, licensing WACs and Samish's Policies and Procedures and supports the center in striving for full compliance each day.

Assists in health and developmental screenings as needed. This may include taking height/weight measurements or helping escort a child to the front office for hearing/vision screenings, etc.

Ensures that all classroom staff receive adequate breaks throughout the day including lunch, bathroom breaks, and planning time as needed.

Greets and engages families whenever they are at the center, encouraging parent involvement and parent-teacher partnerships.

Provides positive guidance to children with successful classroom management, and demonstrates clear limits and expectations according to developmentally appropriate practices.

Maintains confidentiality for all children, families, and staff. Exercises appropriate discretion in information sharing with other staff as it applies to job responsibilities on a need-to-know basis.

Attends training as relevant to staff development plans. Maintains current certification for First Aid, CPR, Food Handler's Permit, and health checks. Complies with CPS mandated reporting requirements for child abuse and neglect.

Assist and completes checklists such as the child health checklist twice daily, safety, classroom environment and outdoor checklists.

Candidate must be flexible with schedule.

Candidate will assist with lesson planning, child development assessments, child observations, incident reports and more.

Other duties as assigned.

Additional Responsibilities (Head Start Center Only)

Supports safe and orderly bus transportation of children, ensuring that proper seat restraints are used at all times and all safety regulations are followed during bus transportation.

Assists in serving as a bus monitor, ensuring safe pick up and drop off of HS children.

Supports children's safety and appropriate behavior at all times during bus transportation.

Communicates effectively with families and bus transportation staff to support smooth transitions.

Required Qualifications

Must be at least 18 years of age.

One year of experience in an early childhood program.

Must be willing to complete 30 hrs Basic STARS course and 10 STARS hours of continuing education.

Must possess strong written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.

Able to carry forty pounds without difficulty, sit in a child-sized chair, move quickly from multiple positions and levels, and ride on a bus.

Must obtain First Aid and CPR certifications within 30 days of hire.

Must have initial TB test, and be free from communicable disease.

Must possess current Food Handlers Permit before employment.

Must pass state, federal, and Department of Early Learning fingerprinting and background checks.

Obtaining full COVID-19 vaccination no later than 60 days from the hire date will be a condition of employment for all Samish employees. Applicants must be a Washington State resident or willing to relocate to Washington State.

Working Conditions

Physical Demands:
Must be able to lift and carry 40 lbs; able to stand (40% of time), sit (30% of time), as well as frequently stoop, squat, lift, kneel, bend, reach, and run (30% of time); possess manual dexterity sufficient to use hand writing materials, computers, and office equipment to prepare reports and documentation; be physically able to move through classrooms, ride along and load/unload from a school bus;
Mental/Visual Demands:
Constant mental, visual, and audio supervision of children and attention is needed. Tasks involve eye-hand coordination. Working Environment: mainly indoors with heat and some air conditioning. Outside time is required each day on playground or on field trips. Must be able to move around for the majority of shift. Unavoidable hazards/risks:
Possibility of exposure to blood and bodily fluids; possibility of exposure to communicable diseases. Protective clothing or equipment may be required (goggles, gloves, masks, boots, etc).

Samish Indian Nation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively encourages applications from all persons regardless of race, religion, gender,…