Preschool Teacher Assistant

JOB TITLE: Teacher Assistant

CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt Employee

REPORTS TO: Teacher

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Works directly under the Head Start teacher in administering the Head Start Performance Standards and DCFS Licensing Standards and implementing the program’s policies and procedures.

· Assists the Head Start teacher in the day-to-day operations of the Head Start center and classroom management.

· Assists the Head Start teacher in providing developmentally appropriate activities as instructed by teaching staff, promotes health, nutrition, and education of the children, and attends to their safety and welfare.

· Maintains an effective working relationship with supervisor(s), staff, Head Start children, and families.

· Assists the teacher in establishing and maintaining an efficient and effective record-keeping system.

DUTIES:

1. Ensures that no child is left unattended or unsupervised at any time.

2. Assists in supervising and monitoring children in all organized Head Start activities as directed by the teacher.

3. Follows Creative Curriculum and assists the teacher to design the classroom to focus on children’s individualized characteristics, strengths, and needs.

4. Provides ongoing child developmental observations. Enters observations in Teaching Strategies GOLD and creates individual child reports.

5. Follows the universal lesson plans and implements a developmentally appropriate, educational plan based upon individualized children’s observations and ongoing assessments.

6. Ensures the classroom environment supports acceptance of children and their families, a balanced program of learning experiences, an environment that supports social, emotional, and cognitive, language, and physical development.

7. Assists in providing age-appropriate literacy education and interactive literacy activities in the classroom and between parents and children.

8. Utilizes multiple sources of information on all aspects of each child’s development and behavior.

9. Provides developmental individualized child profiles.

10. Implements Conscious Discipline throughout the program day.

11. Provides ongoing communication efforts with parents to support parent involvement, provide opportunities to increase observation skills, encourage participation in meetings, conferences, and home visits.

12. Assists the teacher in screening children for developmental, behavioral, motor, language, social, cognitive, perceptual and emotional skills.

13. Assists the teacher in integrating educational aspects of the health, nutrition, and mental health services into program activities.

14. Follows required/established emergency, health and safety procedures.

15. Ensures that program services contribute to the development and socialization of children.

16. Ensures that indoor and outdoor premises are cleaned daily and kept free of undesirable and hazardous materials and conditions.

17. Implements the recruitment process by recruiting door-to-door in targeted areas to enroll low-income preschool children including children with disabilities, placing fliers and recruitment signs in prominent areas frequented by parents of eligible children, etc.

18. Participate in parent committee meetings and family connection events in the absence of the teacher.

19. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

· Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education or a related degree with coursework equivalent to a major in Early Childhood Education and one year experience teaching preschool age children preferred; minimum requirement: high school diploma or equivalent and possess a preschool CDA or meet all requirements to submit an application to obtain a preschool CDA within 12 weeks of hire.

· Must meet the agency, Head Start Program Performance Standards, and IL Department of Child and Family Services applicable requirements for position.

1. Complete and pass pre-employment physical, obtain current (within past 6 months) 2-step TB test results, provide immunizations records that reflect 2 doses of MMR (mumps, rubella, and measles) and one Tdap (within last 7 years), and continue to complete on-going health testing as required by program.

2. Furnish written information regarding any criminal convictions, submit to fingerprinting, and comply to and pass a background check before initial hire and every five years thereafter.

3. Obtain and maintain current CPR and first aid certification within 90 days of hire.

4. Must be at least 19 years of age.

· Must be able to fluently speak the language spoken by the majority of families and children in the class.

· Exhibit excellent interpersonal and communication skills and have the ability to get along with children, parents, and other co-workers.

· Organization and problem solving skills required.

· Must perform all duties in a timely and professional manner.

· Must be punctual and maintain good work attendance.

· Must have the ability to work as a team player and maintain a positive work environment with co-workers.

· Must have the ability to operate a personal computer and software to access electronic mail and word processing programs.

· Must demonstrate maturity and self-motivation.

· Must possess a positive and professional image.

· Must have reliable transportation to travel to/from work, meetings, and other work activities.

· Continues professional growth by participating in training programs and workshops/ conferences as budget allows and as applicable to position.

· Must support the mission, goals and objectives of Head Start and C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Object Manipulation

· Use of writing tools, computer and technological equipment, children’s objects

Sensory and Cognitive Abilities

· Analyzing and interpreting data, giving instructions, planning, explaining and investigating

Physical Demands

· Bending, squatting, twisting, reaching forward, sit down and get up from a 12-inch seat, lift up to 30 lbs. floor to waist, lift up to 20 lbs. waist to shoulder, lift up to 20 lbs. above shoulder, carry 30 lbs. 30 feet, push/pull 20 lbs. 10 feet, stand 15 minutes while doing fine motor activity, walk up and down flight of stairs

Training and Certifications

· Attend conferences/workshops as required and maintain certifications required of position

Environmental Demands

· Indoor center work 90% of the time; off site travel/outside activities 10% of the time for field trips, training/staff meetings, playground activities, recruitment activities, etc.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $15.53 - $18.80 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• Are you fully vaccinated against COVID-19?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Preschool aged children: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: One location

Salary : $16 - $19