Assistant Teacher I

About the Role

The Assistant Teacher assists in the instruction of preschool-aged children in activities designed to promote social-emotional, physical, and cognitive growth. They are responsible for assisting the Teacher in the general day-to-day operations of the Head Start classroom, assisting in creating and nurturing strong partnerships with families, and ensuring instruction is consistent with best practice and at the highest level of quality, in compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards. As a frontline representative, Assistant Teachers are required to ensure the safety and security of children and families.

Key Responsibilities

• Engage with children during all activities throughout the day; provide constant supervision of children during all learning activities indoors and outdoors and ensure a safe environment.
• Assist in planning and conducting activities with the Head Start Teacher to meet individual needs of children in accordance with the daily schedule.
• Guide and facilitate activities with the Head Start Teacher, including classroom projects and field trips.
• Maintain classroom management using developmentally appropriate techniques.
• Provide a safe and developmentally appropriate learning environment; interact with children one-on-one and in small groups.
• Build effective relationships within the organization, with the children and their families.
• Protect the safety of children by implementing active supervision techniques to ensure no child is left alone or unsupervised at any time.
• Work closely with management to ensure the program compliments Head Start Program Performance Standards.
• Serve as a liaison between staff and parents; partner with parents in the education of their children, including encouraging classroom involvement and home activities.
• Participate in parent-teacher conferences to discuss children’s individual development and progress.
• Eat with and assist children with eating at mealtime to teach social and self-help skills and sound nutritional practices.
• Assist children in health and personal habits, such as resting, brushing teeth, and toilet habits.
• Assist the Head Start Teacher in record keeping; conduct and document observations, assessments, and screenings.
• Participate in staff meetings, committees, and training sessions.
• Assist in the mobilization and documentation of matching in-kind activities, goods, and services.
• Work may require the flexibility to stay until all children have left the program.
• In cooperation with supervisor, develop and document progress on a professional development plan.
• Will be required to take the lead in the absence of a teacher.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Child Development Associate (CDA) or credential of a state-awarded certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements for a CDA credential or be enrolled in a CDA credential program to be completed within two years of the time of hire.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the purpose of the Head Start/Early Head Start program.
• Demonstrated successful interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills; ability to follow directions and take initiative.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate successfully with individuals and teams at all levels, including students, families, coworkers, and community members.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with Head Start Teacher, other staff, parents, and community partners in the provision of high-quality services to children and families.
• Proven ability to keep all information on families strictly confidential.
• Professional proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and on-line client management systems.
• Must participate in professional development training including basic first aid and pediatric CPR certification as required by state licensing and HSPPS.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to perform medium to heavy physical work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently and up to 5-10 pounds constantly, performing activities such as sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, and grasping. This also includes some duties that require repetitive action and motion skills, keyboarding, and computer use.
• Clear pre-employment background check requirements, including local, state, and national criminal records check, sex offender registries, employment and education verifications (including child abuse registry check if required by state regulations) and pass all state and local health requirements required post job offer and prior to employment.
• This position may require the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle to fulfill certain essential functions of the job. The incumbent should maintain a valid driver’s license and remain in compliance with any Save the Children policies pertaining to the safe operation of motor vehicles.

Qualifications

• Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish or English and other languages used by children and families).
• If in North Carolina, holding a Birth-Kindergarten (B-K) Licensure preferred.

Note: Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.