Teacher Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY

The position is responsible for supporting the Campus in everything pertaining to the curriculum, guidance of children, providing support in the classroom as needed and other duties as assigned. The Teacher Assistant will assist in supporting the planning and implementation of high-quality early education and child development services to Early Head Start (EHS) & Head Start (HS) children (birth to five (5) years). This position is responsible for assisting with the implementation of the Head Start Performance Standards and all other regulatory requirements for their assigned campus.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Support the campus by observing and supervising children. Ensure child to staff ratio is always maintained by supporting the teaching staff in the classroom in addition to supporting classroom staff for breaks.

· Assist the teachers and associate teachers with meeting Head Start child development goals and curriculum implementation.

· Ensure children’s health and safety are in accordance with all regulations.

· Work with the teachers and associate teachers to set up and implement well-organized classrooms that are developmentally appropriate and inviting for pre-school age children.

· Assists in establishing and maintaining a safe, healthy learning environment by providing active supervision to all children at all times to ensure their well-being and includes being actively engaged with children in learning activities indoors and outdoors.

· Assists with maintaining the classroom with regards to equipment materials, and supplies and ensure the safety of the classroom operations; ensures any source of danger to the children are kept out of their reach; keeps classroom neat and orderly by assisting with picking up toys, materials, and other potential items hazardous to children.

· Demonstrate verbally and by role modeling sound knowledge of good teaching practices and child growth and development.

· Promote the importance of basic self-help skills such as brushing teeth and washing hands. Assists the teachers and other staff in meal service and family style dining with the children and helps with the clean-up of the tables, assists with toileting, eating, toothbrushing and any other areas of health, safety and hygiene.

· Demonstrate on-going personal and professional growth and development to meet program and regulatory requirements.

· Participate in coaching opportunities, including observation and feedback sessions.

· Demonstrate knowledge of Brazoria County Head Start’s (BCHS) mission, goals, policies, and procedures.

· Demonstrate knowledge of Head Start’s Performance Standards, Early Learning Outcomes, and other regulatory requirements.

· May be required to travel to other centers to provide coverage based on agency needs.

· Must maintain confidentiality at all times.

· Attend and participate in staff meetings and training as scheduled.

· This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.

· This job description may be revised upon development of other duties and changes in responsibilities.

Knowledge, skills & Abilities:

Essential traits for this position are as follows:

· Must be a self-starter.

· Must be able to communicate effectively with team members and management.

· Must be results oriented.

· Must have superior organizational and time management skills.

· Must be able to work independently or on teams in a challenging work atmosphere.

· Must have an exceptional aptitude for attention to detail.

· Must be able to prioritize and balance multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment.

· Must be able to exercise appropriate judgment, discretion, maintain the confidentiality of all Brazoria County Head Start (BCHS) stakeholders.

· Must be able to contribute to building a positive team spirit; put success of team above own interests; support everyone's efforts to succeed.

· Must be able to show respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; promote a harassment-free environment.

· Must be able to treat people with respect and dignity; work with integrity and ethically uphold the Agency's mission and values.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications:

· High School Diploma or GED equivalent

Preferred Qualifications:

· Twelve (12) months in a similar position working with pre-school aged children and able to supervise and interact with a group of 15-20 preschool children.

· Ability to enroll and complete a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential within 2 years.

· Child Development Credential (CDA) certification or enrolled in a program leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

Safety is one of our core company values. When necessary, employees may be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE). The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

· Physically fit to endure 8-to-10-hour workdays.

· Prolonged periods standing and walking throughout the classroom.

· Must be able to repeatedly lift children that may weigh up to 45 pounds at a time.

· Physically capable of pushing up to 45 pounds as needed throughout the day.

· Regularly required to stand, walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms.

· Able to sit on floor; climb or balance; bend at waist, stop, kneel, crouch, or crawl in order to maintain direct eye contact with children.

· Frequently required to bend at the waist and/or knees (i.e. lifting child to place on changing table), stoop, kneel, or crouch while simultaneously lifting or physically supporting a child up to 45 pounds.

· Able to see, hear and speak with children to ensure children’s health and safety.

The work environment is that which is typical of a classroom setting with daily exposure to outdoor weather. The noise level in the environment is very lively and often noisy.

Other:

Must possess a valid Texas driver’s license and have access to a vehicle which is insured as required by the Texas Financial Responsibility Law.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $10.15 - $12.57 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• No nights
• No weekends

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Brazoria County, TX: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: On the road

Salary : $10 - $13