Assistant Teacher

overview

teacher assistant

summary: responsible for assisting the teacher in the development of an age-appropriate educational environment for preschool children. To act as an ambassador to the agency and to reflect all agency matters in a positive way.

• must supervise and monitor children at all times by following active supervision procedures, policies, and strategies to ensure no child is ever left unsupervised.
• follow direction and support from the teacher regarding classroom expectations and adult-child interactions.
• assist the teacher to ensure the quality and safety of the educational environment.
• participate in the developmental screening process when appropriate.
• work with and encourage parent and community volunteers.
• assist teacher in assessment by recording specific examples of developmental progress for individual children.
• use positive child guidance techniques and build nurturing relationships through caregiving routines.
• use developmentally appropriate practices to facilitate activities with groups and individuals.
• follow a consistent schedule which includes small and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, skill development and effective transitions between activities.
• encourage experimentation, exploration, problem solving, cooperation, socialization, and choice making; ask open-ended questions and listen respectfully to the answers.
• promote family literacy.
• be a positive role model to children and volunteers at all times.
• responsible for supporting the program in collecting in-kind to meet federal requirements.
• prepare materials for classroom activities.
• attend staff meetings and trainings.
• promote and support parent involvement and leadership throughout the program.
• responsible for active supervision of all children during head start/ehs/ccp activities.
• participate in general cleaning of center.
• maintain classroom and outdoor space so they are neat, clean and ready for daily activities.
• sanitize classroom equipment and toys, following work plans procedures.
• must support center during major transitions to ensure child safety and supervision.
• must follow break schedule created by supervisor.

• assist teacher in maintaining appropriate documentation of each child’s developmental level and progress.
• keep and submit records and reports as required.
• participate in educational planning for children.
• participate in center monitoring for safety and compliance.
• participate in child/family staffing when applicable.

• monitor safety on the bus.
• assist children boarding/leaving the bus.
• ensure children are secured in child restraints and all adult passengers use appropriate seat belts.
• visually observe the health of each child on the bus. Report any concerns to the teacher and parent/guardian.
• occupy the children during the ride with developmentally appropriate songs, games, observations, etc.
• collaborate with the driver to ensure that each child is delivered to the care of a responsible adult (authorized list on transportation permission fact sheet) upon leaving the bus.
• ensure that no child is ever left unattended while on the bus, following all active supervision, child attendance, and bus alarm deactivation procedures as written in the transportation workplan to prevent a child being left behind.

• preparation and delivery of meals/snacks that meet usda food program requirements for preschool and/or infant/toddler children and all head start program requirements and policies.
• ensure meals are prepared and served on schedule.
• use food production and food storage procedures that meet usda and cacfp requirements.
• follow standards of sanitation according to state and head start regulations and policies.
• safely operate basic food service equipment provided by head start.

none

• dental insurance
• employee assistance program
• health insurance
• life insurance
• paid time off
• professional development assistance
• retirement plan
• vision insurance
• short-term and long-term disability

• education and/or experience
  : minimum child development associate credential (cda). An aa in early childhood education is preferred. Demonstrates knowledge and skills in early human development and appropriate programming.
• communication skills
  : demonstrates clear and complete oral and written communication skills, appropriate respect and good listening skills. Maintains confidentiality and professionalism of all family, volunteer and staff information. Communicates optimistically, positively, and with honesty and openness.
• mathematical skills
  : manages time effectively, uses program resources wisely. Must have computer skills.
• reasoning ability
  : demonstrates effective leadership, teaming and conflict resolution skills and demonstrates knowledge in appropriate child management strategies. Ability to interpret a variety of…