Assistant Teacher-Head Start

Position

Assistant Teacher - Head Start

Center Supervisor

This position serves as an Assistant Teacher for a Head Start classroom. The assistant teacher shares responsibility for a Head Start classroom of 3‑to‑5‑year‑old children. S/he works collaboratively with the teacher, family members, and other staff to achieve positive outcomes for children of all abilities.

The position may be reassigned to various classrooms/centers as deemed necessary for program operations. This is a grant‑funded position.

• Assists the teacher in all classroom activities, including lesson plans, field trips, and outdoor activities
• Provides sufficient and appropriate outdoor time daily for children (see Operations Manual for specifics)
• Dresses in clothing that is appropriate for outdoor activity and all‑weather conditions
• Assists in developing materials and providing activities related to the cultural background of the children and families served
• Participates in the screening, observation, and documentation of children
• Helps supervise at mealtime, eating with the children to encourage good nutrition and proper social skills
• Helps keep the classroom and its contents clean and orderly
• Is familiar with each child and parent
• Uses initiative and imagination to assist the child and be perceptive and knowledgeable about the needs of each child
• Assists the teacher in any aspect of the program as the need arises
• Takes charge of the class in the teacher's absence
• Makes home visits with the teacher as required or requested and documents them as requested
• Regular and predictable attendance is a requirement of the job

• Understands and implements all required policies and procedures related to the active supervision of children at all times, including:
• Observation of the environment, evaluating that children have a place to play, and they can be observed and listened to at all times
• Continuously scan & count for children under care and report an accurate number when asked
• Listen to children at all times to identify potential danger, like specific sounds or the lack of any sound that may trigger an action
• Develops knowledge of the children under care to anticipate their behavior, performing wellness checks, and being proactive and avoid putting children in danger
• Ensuring that indoor and outdoor equipment and facilities are clean and do not present any hazards
• Ensures that classrooms and centers are equipped with safety supplies that are readily accessible to staff

• Assists the teacher in meeting the program's needs for parent/family involvement in each classroom
• Establishes a relationship of trust and rapport with the families of the children
• Communicates with families to facilitate positive interaction with the program, awareness of the child’s needs and development, how the activities of the program promote positive development, and their roles in the child’s overall education and development
• Participates in the training of families as requested
• Involves parents/families in the educational activities of the program: to emphasize their role as the principal influence on the child's education and development; and to assist parents/families to increase their knowledge, understanding, skills, and experience in basic child development
• Assists with identifying and arranging for parents to volunteer in the classroom as volunteers and substitutes
• Assists with the supervision of all assigned volunteers in the classroom

• Assists the teacher with collecting monthly in‑kind records from parents and community members participating in the program
• Contributes to the collection and editing processes of correct documentation for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
• Is knowledgeable about CACFP requirements regarding portions and components of each meal service
• Conducts point‑of‑service meal documentation, counts meals when children are seated, and has been offered a credible meal by USDA standards for portions and components

• Attends all workshops and meetings as deemed necessary by the immediate supervisor
• Attends all required staff and…