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POSITION: Assistant Teacher - Head Start
REPORTS TO: Center Supervisor
SUMMARY:
This position serves as an Assistant Teacher for a Head Start classroom. The assistant teacher shares responsibility for a Head Start classroom of 3- to 5-year-old children. S/he works collaboratively with the teacher, family members, and other staff to achieve positive outcomes for children of all abilities. The position may be reassigned to various classrooms/centers as deemed necessary for program operations.
This is a grant-funded position.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Classroom
Assists the teacher in all classroom activities, including lesson plans, field trips, and outdoor activities
Provides sufficient and appropriate outdoor time daily for children (see Operations Manual for specifics).
Dress in clothing that is appropriate for outdoor activity and all-weather conditions.
Assists in developing materials and providing activities related to the cultural background of the children and families served.
Participates in the screening, observation, and documentation of children.
Helps supervise at mealtime, eating with the children to encourage good nutrition and proper social skills.
Helps keep the classroom and its contents clean and orderly.
Is familiar with each child and parent.
Uses initiative and imagination to assist the child and be perceptive and knowledgeable about the needs of each child.
Assists the teacher in any aspect of the program as the need arises.
Takes charge of the class in the teachers absence.
Makes home visits with the teacher as required or requested and documents them as requested.
Regular and predictable attendance is a requirement of the job.
Active Supervision
Understands and implements all required policies and procedures related to the active supervision of children at all times, including:
Observation of the environment, evaluating that children have a place to play, and they can be observed and listened to at all times.
Continuously scan & count for children under care and report an accurate number when asked.
Listen to children at all times to identify potential danger, like specific sounds or the lack of any sound that may trigger an action.
Develops knowledge of the children under care to anticipate their behavior, performing wellness checks, and being proactive and avoid putting children in danger.
Ensuring that indoor and outdoor equipment and facilities are clean and do not present any hazards.
Ensure that classrooms and centers are equipped with safety supplies that are readily accessible to staff.
Family Involvement
Assists the teacher in meeting the programs needs for parent/family involvement in each classroom.
Establishes a relationship of trust and rapport with the families of the children.
Communicates with families to facilitate positive interaction with the program, awareness of the child's needs and development, how the activities of the program promote positive development, and their roles in the child's overall education and development.
Participates in the training of families as requested.
Involves parents/families in the educational activities of the program: to emphasize their role as the principal influence on the childs education and development; and to assist parents/families to increase their knowledge, understanding, skills, and experience in basic child development.
Assists with identifying and arranging for parents to volunteer in the classroom as volunteers and substitutes.
Assists with the supervision of all assigned volunteers in the classroom.
Food Services
Assists the teacher with collecting monthly in-kind records from parents and community members participating in the program.
Contributes to the collection and editing processes of correct documentation for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
Be knowledgeable about CACFP requirements regarding portions and components of each meal service.
Conduct point-of-service meal documentation, count meals when children are seated, and have been offered a credible meal by USDA standards for portions and components.
Other Responsibilities
Attends all workshops and meetings as deemed necessary by the immediate supervisor.
Attends all required staff and parent meetings and activities.
Responsible for understanding Head Start Performance Standards and local childcare licensing regulations.
Expected to be knowledgeable of the regulations associated with the prevention of occupational disease and injury, including the exercise of universal precautions and the prevention of contamination.
Positively promotes Head Start in the community.
Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start/Early Head Start children, families, and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.
Becomes thoroughly familiar with the RCS Employee Handbook: Human Resources Policies and Procedures.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Required:
A current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or be enrolled in a CDA credential program within 30 days upon hire
Pre-school (ages 3-5) classroom assistant/ teaching experience is required, with two years preferred. Experience and knowledge should include the ability to adapt curriculum to meet the needs of all children, including at-risk, special needs, gifted, and culturally diverse populations, as well as family dynamics and adult learning principles.
Pediatric CPR & First Aid certified
Must demonstrate experience and interest in working with young children, parents, and volunteers.
Must demonstrate a strong knowledge of appropriate practices in early childhood development, including working with parents.
Must demonstrate success in working as a member of a team.
Must demonstrate the ability to work well with young children.
Preferred:
An associate or baccalaureate degree (in any area); or be enrolled in a program leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree
Bilingual English/Spanish skills are highly desirable.
Language Skills:
Good oral and written Communication skills
Reasoning Ability:
Must be able to problem-solve
Mathematical Skills:
Basic math, pre-algebra, and algebra are needed
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, lift, carry, push, pull, reach overhead, above the shoulders, and horizontally, bend at the waist, kneel, and crouch. Have good hearing and speaking to exchange information. Have good vision to be able to read a variety of materials. Good dexterity in fingers for keyboarding.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
School building environment; may involve occasional travel for home visits or community outreach
May require flexible hours, including some evenings
Requires the ability to handle sensitive situations and maintain professional boundaries
The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. The individuals currently holding this position perform additional duties, and additional duties may be assigned.
The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or nonprescribed controlled substance in the workplace throughout his//her employment in the Corporation.
Richmond Community Schools is an
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or disability.