Sub Head Start Teacher Assistant

Please contact Barb Gustin, Director at

Go to the School City of Hammond website:

Click on “Employment Opportunities”

Click on the Application link and select the following job preference:

• Head Start Teacher Assistant Substitute

The Head Start Teacher Assistant Substitute is responsible for assisting in the care and education of a specific group of children in the absence of the classroom Teacher Assistant. The Teacher Assistant Substitute supports the teaching team in the coordination and implementation of classroom instructional activities and preparation of the classroom environment in accordance with the federal Head Start Performance Standards/Head Start Act, Developmentally Appropriate Practices as defined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and State/local requirements.

The Teacher Assistant Substitute is expected to present a positive and professional image.

Possess the skills necessary to support the classroom teaching team in providing high quality early childhood experiences to students and their families.

• Fulfill classroom responsibilities in the absence of the classroom Teacher Assistant
• Assist in the promotion of the cognitive, physical, social and emotional development of children through supporting classroom activities that are: self-directed; meaningful; appropriate, active and engaging; reflective and respectful of needs, interests and differences
• Support student learning through large and small group activities, read-alouds, and engagement during daily activities as outlined by the lesson plans.
• Support the establishment and maintenance of an effective, healthy, and safe learning environment
• Support the preparation of the classroom environment, equipment, supplies and material for daily classroom activities
• Support classroom daily routines
• Facilitate and support rest time activities (full-day classrooms - as needed)
• Implement active supervision strategies whenever students are present to ensure student safety
• Participate in the development of a positive classroom climate
• Establish positive and productive working relationships with classroom staff, parents, other Head Start staff, and school building staff
• Other duties may be assigned.

• Good communication, computer, and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards/Head Start Act, State LLEP/Paths to Quality requirements, SCH and SCH Head Start policies and procedures (Head Start will provide training)
• Knowledge and use of CPR, First Aid and Heimlich maneuver
• Ability to foster the building of community (Head Start will provide training)
• Ability to comprehend instructions and correspondence- including but not limited to lesson plans.
• Ability to speak clearly, concisely and with proper grammar in written or oral communication.
• Ability to perform general mathematical computations with accuracy
• Ability to solve practical problems with a variety of variables

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Experience working with young children, including children with special needs
• Completion of Parents as Subs training - preferred
• College coursework in Early Childhood Education or Child Development - preferred
• Child Development Associate Credential or Associate degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development - a plus
• One year of experience in Head Start as Head Start parent or community volunteer – preferred
• Fluency in speaking and writing Spanish – a plus

• Dependability
• Confidentiality
• Professionalism
• Forward thinking
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to work collaboratively
• Ability to serve a diverse population of students, parents, staff, and community
• Ability to organize and prioritize

Candidate should be physically capable of successfully performing the essential functions of the position. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to run; stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee must occasionally push items of 50 lbs.

(such as pushing children on a bike or moving/rearranging furniture).

It is the policy of the School City of Hammond not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its programs or employment policies as required by the Indiana Civil Rights Act (I.C. 22-9.1), Title VI and VII (Civil Rights Act of 1964), the Equal Pay Act of 1973, Title IX (Educational Amendments), and Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973).