Teacher Assistant

Description

                                                                       JOB DESCRIPTION

Position:  Teacher Assistant                              Reports To:     Teacher / Team Leader

Supervises:  Volunteers, Substitute Staff                       Salary Range: See Current Payroll Chart for more information

1.         General Characteristics of Duties:

Under the supervision of the Teacher, the Teacher Assistant will provide a well-planned, developmentally appropriate learning experience for children in assigned classroom and carry out supplementary activities related to the program. Acting as a team member, the assistant is expected to interact with children in both small and larger group activities, carryout lesson plan activities, initiate teaching opportunities, and provide supervision of children in their care to include number / location of children.

2.         Examples of Specific Duties Include:

Assesses children’s developmental level and plans to meet their individual needs, helps organize the classroom to meet the needs of the children and provide the best environment for the curriculum; assists in writing lesson plans and implementation; involves parents in the education of their child and encourages them to become involved in all aspects of the program; supervises volunteers, and other assigned workers and provides training for parents, makes home visits, completes training assignments, and completes assigned recordkeeping or clerical work. Takes responsibility for cleaning assignments to include assisting or substituting for nutrition staff or the teacher in her absence.

3.         Minimum Qualifications:

The teacher assistant should demonstrate the ability to prove a well-run and orderly classroom in a safe, literacy rich and nurturing environment. Active movement and close supervision of children to include playground equipment is required. A high school diploma or equivalent and a minimum of one year of paid or volunteer experience in working with young children is needed. Effective October 1, 2013, a current CDA credential or two year ECE degree is required unless a waiver is approved from ACF.

4.         Desirable Qualifications:

An Associate Degree in Early Childhood or two years of Early Childhood Education and a minimum of two years experience working with young children in a group setting. CDL holder / Spanish or dual language learner training a plus.

5.         Other Significant Facts:

Ability to secure a commercial driver’s licenses may be required in some centers, and adequate personal transportation, including adequate auto liability coverage and proof of a satisfactory driving record is required. Very infrequent overnight travel is required, and on-going training is necessary. The position is scheduled for 200 paid days per year, with the average work day determined by availability to drive bus or complete other assignments, generally 7.25 hours per day. Staff hired after January 15, 2001, must pass state DHS fingerprinting process prior to hire.

6.         Select assistants with appropriate degrees may be designated School Readiness Coach and will participate in local and agency advisory meetings and will support training and use of school readiness activities. Select staff may be eligible for additional education supplements with the Director’s approval.

7.         Physical Requirements:

Must have a past job offer physical prior to working with children and a drug test and evidence of a negative T.B. screening. A pre-employment drug screen is also required by the Agency. Physical demands of this position include lifting (over 50 pounds in emergency situations), stooping, sitting in child size furniture, ability to hear conversations, vision adequate to supervise three and four year olds is needed. No item considered an essential function is designed to exclude a person with a disability.

Qualifications