Teacher Assistant, Early Headstart

Location: Roxbury

Assistant Teacher - Early Headstart

You are a caring, hard-working individual who thrives in a team environment and is committed to excellence.

The Dimock Center is a federally qualified community health center that heals and uplifts individuals, families, and communities. Our vision is to redefine the model of a healthy community by creating equitable access to comprehensive health care and education. We promote a culture of respect, excellence, equal opportunity, and commitment to our employees and the communities we serve.

Our Child and Family Services programs provide high-quality care, education, and support to young children and their families.

Summary/Objective

The Assistant Teacher gains in-service experience with early childhood classroom operations while working under the mentorship and support of experienced educators and content area specialists. In a supportive classroom role, the Assistant Teacher works alongside teaching staff to provide safe, nurturing learning environments, daily routines, and developmentally appropriate interactions that promote positive outcomes for young children and families. The Assistant Teacher ensures the safety and supervision of children at all times by adhering to all program policies and applicable Federal, State, and local standards and best practices.

Assistant Teachers have the opportunity to complete supervised work experience and receive support in accessing coursework and professional development required to attain Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) Teacher certification

Essential Functions

Support teachers and assistant teachers in daily activities designed to foster childrens social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development, including engagement with diverse learners and children for whom English is a second language.

Perform assigned classroom duties including greeting families, preparing activity supplies, assisting with transitions, and supporting care routines such as napping, mealtimes, and diapering/toileting.

Learn and practice integrating the Pyramid Model for Promoting Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children into classroom routines, interactions, and activities.

Interact respectfully and professionally with children, families, and colleagues.

Support implementation of weekly lesson plans aligned with the programs curriculum, Massachusetts Early Learning Standards, and the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework.

Share observations of childrens interests, skills, and abilities with teaching staff to support developmental assessments, individualized instruction, progress monitoring, and referrals when needed.

Under the guidance of classroom teachers, practice positive discipline techniques that promote positive behavior and reduce challenging behaviors in compliance with State licensing regulations and program policies.

Ensure childrens safety at all times by maintaining appropriate active supervision indoors and outdoors and supporting a clean, organized classroom environment.

Promote family partnerships by welcoming families, valuing diversity, responding to concerns respectfully, and sharing strength-based observations of childrens development.

Assist teachers in communicating with Family Services Specialists (FSS) and program specialists to coordinate support for children and families.

Participate in team meetings, trainings, and professional development activities.

Maintain cooperative and respectful relationships with colleagues and contribute to team responsibilities through communication and collaboration.

Maintain accurate and timely records as assigned.

Work with supervisors to develop and follow an Individualized Professional Development Plan (IPDP).

Maintain professionalism at all times, including adherence to dress code, the NAEYC Code of Ethics, Child and Family Services code of conduct, and consistent attendance and punctuality.

As a mandated reporter, recognize and report suspected physical or sexual abuse to the appropriate authorities as required by law.

Maintain confidentiality of all program and family information.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies

Demonstrates…