Instructional Aide - Hidalgo County Head Start Program

Job Title: Instructional Aide - Hidalgo County Head Start Program

Wage/Hour Status: Nonexempt

Department: Curriculum & Instruction

Reports To: Campus Principal

Approved By: Board of Trustees

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SUMMARY:

To assist the classroom teacher in providing meaningful educational experiences to the children assigned to the classroom. Under immediate supervision the employee has the responsibility of assisting the classroom teacher in providing documentation regarding the families and children assigned to them, and decisions are made on a routine level under the direction of the classroom teacher. He/She has daily contact with the families participating in the program and on occasion, with the general public. The employee has no supervisory responsibility. Employee must abide by the Texas Education Agency, Minimum Standards for Child-Care Centers, Head Start Performance Standards and other Program Policies and Procedures.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides daily interaction and supervision to the children in his/her care.
• Assists the teacher in providing the children a developmentally appropriate environment conducive to learn.
• Assists the teacher in maintaining a clean, safe and healthy environment for children.
• Assists the teacher in maintaining open communication with parents in regards to their child's progress and program activities.
• Assists the teacher in developing written weekly lesson plans for the implementation of instructional programs in accordance with program guidelines.
• Assists the teacher in administering and interpreting the results of assessments/screens to determine a basis for planning instruction and prescribing activities.
• Prepares and submits administrative reports as scheduled, including form 1535 from USDA program.
• On occasion, attends and participates at A.R.D. meetings.
• Assists the teacher in implementing the I.E.P. on children with special needs.
• Assists the teacher in maintaining accurate documentation on the children in their care.
• Assists the teacher in providing opportunities for Family Style Service (if applicable) during meal times.
• On occasion, will conduct home visits for the children assigned to their care.
• Assists the teacher in administering medication to children when required, under the direction of the Health Department.
• Assists in planning and attends monthly parent meetings.
• Assists in recruiting children for the program as needed.
• Attend training workshops as assigned by the Educational Services Director.
• Adheres to and maintains the obligations as described in the Confidentiality Policy of the Program.
• Reports all suspected cases of child abuse/neglect to the proper authorities.
• Assists the teacher in maintaining campus activities in the absence of the Campus Director.
• Will be subject to re-assignment from one campus to another as needed.
• Must attend First Aid and CPR and any other trainings deemed necessary by the Executive Director to comply with TDFPS Child Care Minimum Standards and Performance Standards during the summer months.
• Must comply with Civil Rights Law.
• Adheres to the requirements of the Texas Education Agency.
• Collaborates with the local Independent School District personnel to provide high-quality education and comprehensive services.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor or Executive Director.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION/LICENSES/EXPERIENCE:

Must have a minimum of an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early Childhood Education.

Acquire First Aid and C.P.R. certification. Must be bilingual (English/Spanish proficient).

Must be able to deal with the public in a courteous and diplomatic manner.

An automobile and current liability insurance is required for work related travel.

APPLICANT IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE COPIES OF DIPLOMAS AND CERTIFICATES OF ACHIEVEMENTS WITH APPLICATION.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include walking or standing for extended periods of time.

Maintain mental capacity which permits making sound decisions and effective interaction and communication with others.

Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making observations, reading, and writing and operating assigned equipment.

Requires standing, sitting, twisting, crawling, walking, running, balancing and exercises.

May be exposed to communicable disease. On some assignments the work schedule may be other than 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Equipment to be used will be computer (office and classroom), copier, adding machine, overhead projector, laminating machine and on occasion, and dishwasher.

NOTE:

In each campus one Assistant Teacher is designated to replace the teacher when he/she is away from work. When this occurs, the upgraded employee shall be paid the base rate for grade seven (7) (the pay grade for Teacher). This upgrade is not for short temporary assignments, but only applies when the vacancy is for a period greater than three work days. When this occurs, the Director of Education will submit the necessary forms for granting this temporary pay adjustment. When the regular teacher returns to work, he/she shall initiate the form to stop this temporary pay adjustment. This form shall be routed through the Director of Education, who will countersign and then forward it to the Payroll Department for stopping the pay adjustment.