Assistant Teacher

Location: Bald Knob

STATEMENT OF THE JOB:
Under the overall supervision of the Early Childhood Director and the direct supervision of the Center Manager or Center Manager/Teacher, carries out educational duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

* Maintain a professional attitude with staff, parents, volunteers, and children at all times.

* Promote developmentally appropriate practices in the center.

* Responsible for forming positive, trusting and nurturing relationships with children.

* Assist teachers by:

* observing children regularly and individualizing for each child based on these observations,

* creating a warm and welcoming environment that supports childrens growth and development,

* providing activities to facilitate childrens growth and development and

* ensuring the health and safety of children.

* Take every safeguard to protect children and makes careful decisions as he/she works with them daily.

* Feel that his/her job is as important and responsibilities are as great as that of the Teacher and work accordingly. Work with children as assigned.

* Encourage the involvement of the families of the children and support the development of relationships between children and their families. .

* Assist with the orderliness and cleanliness of the center.

* Perform other duties as needed and required for efficient operation of the center and needs and welfare of the children.

* Work cooperatively with other classroom/center staff.

* Promote good eating habits by sitting at the table and eating with the children when food is served, conversing with children and encouraging good table manners.

* Assist in obtaining and documenting In-Kind for parent and community activities.

* Attend and participate in center staff meetings. Participate in parent meetings and staffings as requested.

* Must be able to see, hear and respond to childrens needs, emergencies and conflicts that might occur in the classroom, playground, bathrooms or other areas used by children.

* Responsible for data management in designated child development areas.

* Assist in the avoidance or appearance of fraud in the center.

NON
- ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

* Respect confidentiality in all aspects of the Head Start Program.

* Document attendance of a minimum of 15 clock hours of approved professional development per year that is high-quality, sustained, intensive and classroom-focused.

* Willing to participate in training to further education as required by Head Start to maintain the position.

* Able to handle stress, tension and exasperation that contact with many children and adults may bring every day.

* May be called upon to administer first aid to children or staff at any time in the program. The incidental nature of this circumstance effectively establishes first aid as a collateral duty, rather than a primary one.

* Perform other job-related duties as necessary for the overall operation of the program.

Requirements

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

* Educational Requirements:

* High school diploma or GED AND Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential with Preschool Endorsement required. Being enrolled in a Child Development Associate credential program to be completed within 2 years of hire or enrolled in a program leading to an associate or bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education may be accepted in lieu of current CDA if deemed appropriate."

* Experience Requirements:

* Must be 18 years of age or older.

* Three months experience working with young children (3 to 5 years of age).

* Computer literate.

* Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus

* Physical Requirements:

* Good physical condition.

* Able to lift children and sit and stand for long periods of time.

* Participate in activities requiring bending, stooping, kneeling, and jumping. Occasionally stand or walk on uneven surfaces.

* Must pass tuberculosis screening assessment annually and initial health examination within 90 days of hire.

* Valid driver's license, access to transportation with liability insurance and willing to use vehicle for Agency related travel.

* Must be able to travel out of area overnight to attend training.

* Able to hear and communicate orally with children and adults.

* Specific vision abilities required by this job…