Teacher Assistant: Head Start

Overview

Department: Head Start and Children's Services

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Roslindale

Compensation: $23.97 / hour

The Teacher Assistant is responsible for assisting the Teacher with the care and education of a group of children as part of a teaching team. The Teacher Assistant assists with the planning and implementation of the Education Component objectives of the Performance Standards. The position supports the mission of ABCD Head Start & Children’s Services and communicates this mission to staff, families and the community.

This role complies with all applicable laws, regulations and policies including those of the federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), IDEA, DESE, Massachusetts disability law (Chapter 766), BFEN and ABCD policies and procedures.

All Head Start personnel who are paid to care for, or work with, children are mandated by law to report suspected child abuse and neglect to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF). Staff must inform their supervisor immediately if abuse or neglect is suspected. The responsibilities of a position may support both Early Head Start and Head Start depending on funding allocations documented on payroll or status forms.

All communications are potentially sensitive and subject to Head Start's confidentiality policy.

Teaching Practices
Provides preschool children with a joyful, nurturing, safe, healthy, individualized environment and varied experiences that support social, intellectual, physical and emotional development appropriate to their age and stage, aiming for social competency.

Observation, Planning and Documentation

• Participate in daily observations of children.
• Participate in a minimum of two home visits and three parent/teacher conferences per family per year.
• Assist in developing and implementing developmentally appropriate lesson plans and individualized activities.
• Assist in developing and implementing written Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for children with special needs.
• Engage in record-keeping activities including daily observations and parent communication.
• Participate in team meetings.

Additional Duties & Tasks

• Attend meetings as necessary.
• Maintain EEC requirements including child-to-staff ratios and classroom supervision; participate in daily classroom/center operations.
• Provide classroom coverage in the absence of the Teacher or Lead Teacher.
• Report to the Teacher or Lead Teacher on daily classroom duties.
• Report to the Program Director on matters related to terms of employment and center operations.

• Develop activities and strategies to involve parents in the educational process to enhance their role in their child's education and development.
• Good interpersonal skills; work cooperatively as part of a teaching team, with staff and parents.
• Possess bilingual ability where appropriate.
• Demonstrated knowledge and sensitivity to the education and socioeconomic needs of children and families served in Head Start.
• Ability to work with a culturally diverse low-income population.

• Engage in ongoing staff development to expand professional skills.
• Maintain professional boundaries in relationships with staff and families.
• Maintain confidentiality of child and family information at all times.

• Lift and move preschool children.
• Remain alert during naptime supervision.
• Supervise and monitor children by sight and sound at all times.
• Respond to children in emergencies to ensure safety, including quick reactions if a child runs toward danger or attempts to leave the classroom.
• Attend to the needs of children with disabilities, including physically challenged children.
• Lift and move equipment and furniture as necessary to facilitate classroom activities.

High school diploma or equivalent required. Active Preschool Child Development Associate Credential; ECE Certificate or EEC Preschool Lead Teacher certification, or enrolled in a degree program leading to an Associate or Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or related field, or enrolled in a CDA program to be completed within two years with experience teaching preschool age children. EEC preschool teacher certification preferred.

Bilingual in a language spoken by families served by ABCD preferred.