Head Start Assistant Teacher

SUMMARY

Assist the teacher in all educational activities, including lesson planning, educational and recreation/playground activities. Maintain a clean and orderly environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Must maintain professional confidentiality.

• Must be able to work cooperatively with supervisors and co-workers in a positive team effort approach.

• Must be enthusiastic, enjoy working with children and be supportive of over-all goals of Benodjenh Head Start program.

• To report to work promptly as scheduled by your supervisor.

• To be in compliance with GTB reporting procedures, any Federal/State procedures as required, and funding agency policies and procedures.

• Be in compliance with the Benodjenh Center Curriculum.

• Become familiar with the Head Start goals and objectives and the program plan.

• Assist the teacher in preparing the classroom for activities.

• Assist in all phases of classroom operations.

• Assist in the supervision of the children and any volunteers in the classroom.

• Help guide each child's development while considering their interests, special needs, talents, and pace of learning and cultural background.

• Occasionally substitute for the teacher in his/her absence.

• Occasionally serve as bus aide when the aide is absent.

• Follow the rules posted on the bus and assist the children in doing so.

• Be directly responsible to the bus driver during the bus runs and ultimately responsible to the Education Development Manager.

• Maintain a log of all children to be picked up and dropped off. Record any absences on the appropriate form.

• Assist in the supervision of the children and any volunteers on the bus.

• Assist the bus driver in conducting and documenting the required bus evacuation drills.

• Provide safety measures for children on their way to and from the playground and while on field trips, as well as in the center and outside. Provide safety measures for children on their way to and from the bus. This includes helping children on and off the bus. Helping children buckle their seat belt, and seeing an authorized adult when dropping them off.

• Be able to communicate effectively with staff, community at large, and children at the center.

• Participate in the development, implementation and analysis of the Self

• Serve as an advocate for the Head Start program.

• Attend Policy Council meetings or department staff meetings as requested.

• Strict adherence of the mandatory requirements as determined by Michigan State and Federal law pertaining to the welfare of children.

• Effectively communicate with children, families and co-workers.

• Must have exceptional writing and grammar skills.

• Willingness to learn and utilize the Anishanaabe language in the classroom setting.

• Must have exceptional organizational skills.

• Possess the ability to work openly and cooperatively in a "team" approach.

• Ability to communicate with a child to develop their social skills and encourage appropriate behavior.

• Ability to define problem, collect data, analyze data, establish facts and draw conclusions.

• Must have knowledge of computers.

• Other duties assigned by supervisor that relate to the educational efforts of Department X.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Must have a high school diploma or GED.

• Must have a Child Development Association (CDA) within two years or an Associate's Degree in early childhood development within three years of employment.

• Classroom experience with 3-5 year old children preferred.

• Must be willing to participate in training sessions and seek further education.

• Must obtain CPR/first aid certification.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

EQUIPMENT TO BE USED

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, which includes lifting children, ages 3-5 years.

• Must be able to work with child size furnishings and equipment on a daily basis.

• Must be in good physical health - reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

TYPICAL MENTAL DEMANDS

Must be able to effectively handle stressful and compromising situations, while remaining focused and professional. Must be able to deal with difficult children without losing perspective. Must be able to work productively under strict time constraints with variable deadlines. Must be able to make quick, informed decisions.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Must be able to work in an outdoor environment as required for child development in all seasons.

• Must be able to tolerate the noise from child activities.

COMMENTS

Native American preference will apply. Current and former Early Head Start and Head Start parents must receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified. Must be willing and able to pass a background investigation and drug and alcohol urinalysis as a condition of employment. Adherence to strict company policy in regard to confidentiality is a must.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Management retains the right to add or to change the duties of the position at any time through approved motion by Tribal Council. * Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents in lieu of stated minimums require prior approval of the Director of Human Resources.

This position is subject to IC3 Background Investigation and Drug Screen.