Assistant Teacher

Teacher Assistant - Head Start

Overview of general responsibilities and duties:
The Assistant Teacher is passionate about supporting the Teacher in delivering developmentally appropriate activities. The Assistant Teacher role will involve promoting the health, nutrition, and education of children while ensuring their safety and welfare. Compliance with Federal Head Start Performance Standards and local, state, and agency policies is essential.

Classroom Management:

• Supervision and Safety:
  Consistently watch, count, and listen to children to ensure their safety, adhering to OHS Performance Standards and NCDCDEE regulations. Respond promptly to emergencies and report issues to a supervisor.
• Environment Setup:
  Assist in creating a safe indoor and outdoor environment.
• Support Teaching:
  Help deliver age-appropriate activities for both groups and individuals.
• Observation:
  Record children's behaviors to help the Lead Teacher identify strengths and growth areas.
• Family and Community Involvement:
  Engage and encourage participation from families and community volunteers.
• Component Integration:
  Incorporate all Head Start elements into classroom activities.
• Lesson Planning:
  Assist in developing and implementing lesson plans that include mandated elements, cultural influences, and goals for social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.
• Consistent Scheduling:
  Follow the Lead Teacher's schedule, including group activities, choice time, and transitions.
• Encourage Learning:
  Promote experimentation, problem-solving, cooperation, and decision-making.
• Parental Involvement:
  Create an environment that fosters parental engagement.
• Special Needs Support:
  Collaborate to meet the needs of children with special requirements as per their IEP.
• Sanitization:
  Maintain cleanliness of classroom equipment and laundry.
• Meal Service:
  Help with meal distribution as needed.

Written Documentation & Miscellaneous:

• Record Keeping:
  Assist in maintaining accurate records, including assessments, IEPs, screening instruments, observations, parent – teacher conferences, home visits, and required forms.
• Maintenance and Security:
  Help ensure the classroom and facility are secure and well-maintained.
• Professional Development:
  Attend meetings, training, and developmental activities.
• Meal Counts:
  Accurately count meals at point-of-service for CACFP daily documentation.
• Temporary Lead Role:
  Temporarily assume the Lead Teacher role if needed in the absence of a Lead Teacher.
• Additional Duties:
  Perform other assigned tasks as required.

Please note:

All childcare providers and household members who have incurred any pending charges, indictments or convictions (other than minor traffic offenses) since the last qualification letter was issued by the DHHS Criminal Background Check Unit must notify the operator of such charges within five business days or before returning to work, whichever comes first. The operator must notify the Criminal Background Check Unit within one business day of being notified.

Any new charges or convictions could result in disqualification. In addition, if the individual has been placed on the Responsible Individual List (RIL), Child Maltreatment Registry (CMR), or the Sex Offender Registry (SOR), this will result in disqualification.

Education:

High School Graduate or General Education Degree (GED) and Child Development Associate (CDA); AA or BA Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field preferred.

Experience:

One to two years related experience in an early childhood educational setting. An equivalent combination of experience, training and education may be accepted.

Certificates & Licenses It is the employee's responsibility to obtain and keep current all certifications, licenses, physicals, etc., at all times. Required certifications and licenses are:

• NC Division of Child Development and Early Education Qualifying Letter
• Current (negative) TB test with receipt
• Pre
  -employment physical
• First Aid Certificate
• CPR Certificate
• Valid driver's license, annual state vehicle inspection, and proof of vehicle liability insurance coverage.

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