Teacher Assistant; Head Start. Part Time

Job Overview

Teacher Assistants are a vital support to the Lead Teachers in Head Start classrooms. The role is to help implement an appropriate Early Childhood center-based program for preschool children with a focus on school readiness skills and goals.

The classification for this position is Early Childhood Program Specialist Early Childhood Program Specialist
2. The position averages 17.5 hours per week (no more than 19 hours per week), 75 hours per month, for 9.25 months per year. Pay is $19.98 for meeting minimum qualifications and $20.44 for desired qualifications.

• Assists Lead Teacher in providing experiences through utilization of the lesson plan to promote cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development, directing children in educational activities as well as during lunch, free time, field trips, transitions between activities and playground periods.
• Assist Lead Teacher with providing and maintaining an environment in accordance with the Creative Curriculum.
• Uses positive guidance techniques such as redirecting challenging behavior, setting and maintaining limits, maintaining self‑control in a respectful manner without being threatening or humiliating, following the Discipline Policy and Procedure.
• Observes and records behaviors of children to assist the teacher in the identification of each child's strengths, areas to grow and areas of progress.
• Manages the classroom in Lead Teacher's absence.
• Helps achieve a pleasant, inviting atmosphere in which the child feels comfortable and secure including reinforcing ethnic and cultural backgrounds of children.
• Assists the Lead Teacher in administering developmental screening tools on enrolled Head Start/ECEAP children.
• Assists as a bus monitor monitoring transportation of children to and/or from school daily, as needed.
• Establishes friendly cooperative relationships with parents and encourages parent participation in the classroom.
• Receives visitors and telephone inquiries, explains procedures and program routine.
• Respects the confidentiality of information about enrolled children and families, personnel issues and program operations as defined in the Confidentiality Policy. Discusses concerns directly and openly with appropriate staff persons.
• Administers prescribed medication and first aid; handles medical emergencies as they arise.
• Meets with team members to collaborate on planning and delivery of services.
• Attends appropriate workshops, classes and other professional development activities.

This description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, effort, work conditions, and benefits associated with the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 18 years old
• High School diploma or equivalent
• Enrolled in an Early Childhood Education program with one or more years of experience in an early childhood program setting, ages birth to five.
• Early Childhood Education (ECE) Certificate or commitment to achieve ECE certificate within 3 years of hire
• Knowledge of child development including cognitive, social, emotional, and physical
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Previous experience and/or willingness to serve diverse, low-income and/or underrepresented populations
• Strong communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• 12 college quarter credits completed in Early Childhood Education, or an Initial or higher Washington State Early Childhood Education Certificate.
• AA Degree in Early Childhood Education.
• Bilingual preferred

• Seldom (1–10% of the time): Lift up to 50lbs;
  Sit for long periods of time (up to 7 hours) during mandatory trainings.
• Occasionally (11–33% of the time): Multiple uses of bleach solution for cleaning/sanitizing classroom and classroom supplies daily/weekly;
  Classroom arrangement including moving furniture.
• Frequently (34–66% of the time): Bend over to pick up items and/or assist children;
  Stack chairs;
  Sit either on child‑sized chairs or the floor;
  Squat;
  Extended periods of standing;
  Maintain sight and sound supervision of children;
  Walk…