Assistant Head Start Teacher

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Responsible for assisting in the direct supervision and care for infants, toddlers or preschool children in the Head Start/Early Head Start program through a caring, positive, authoritative relationship. The Assistant Teacher will work collaboratively with the teacher to ensure the successful operation of a classroom, will helps build relationships with other staff, and work with family members as needed to implement the curriculum to achieve positive outcomes for children of all abilities.

I. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Helps establish and maintain a safe, secure, and healthy learning environment at all times.
• Serves as an effective role model for children and families.
• Works directly under the teacher and assists in implementing a child-centered curriculum and learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation to promote development in all domains for children of all abilities.
• Follows daily lesson plans.
• Provides children with a consistent classroom routine.
• Assists in developing the literacy and language skills, and their problem solving abilities of children.
• Provides positive guidance and discipline supporting children.
• Helps establish a positive and productive relationships with families, and encourages parental involvement at all levels of the program.
• As requested, participates in home visits and parent conferences in keeping with Head Start requirements.
• Participates in parent orientation and on going parent trainings.
• Models good nutrition and proper social skills for preschool children.
• Assists in food preparation, distribution and recordkeeping.
• As requested, helps maintain attendance and other records.
• Complies with all agency, funder and licensing requirements.
• Attends staff meetings and training events, and maintains required level of training hours with required documentation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

An Associate degree in Early Childhood Education or an associate degree in any subject, and coursework equivalent to a major relating to Early Childhood Education with experience teaching preschool-aged children. Coursework equivalent to a major related to Early Childhood Education to include a CDA.

Must be at least 21 years of age. Experience with pre-school aged children. Previous Head Start/Early Head Start experience preferred. Bilingual preferred: English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area.