SY 26-27 Teacher Assistant, Early Childhood

About the Role

Provides supportive services to classroom teachers in the Prekindergarten Head Start Program. Assists teachers in all aspects of the instructional process designed to advocate the social and academic readiness of pre-school students for subsequent entrance into the kindergarten program.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides assistance to the classroom teacher as requested.
• Assists in lesson planning and preparation under the direction of the teacher.
• Assists in the preparation of classroom exhibits and bulletin boards.
• Distributes and collects instructional materials.
• Assists with recordkeeping.
• Works with individuals or small groups to provide extra help to students as needed.
• Attempts to reinforce previous instruction from the teacher.
• Assists or leads children in group activities.
• Assists with recreational activities.
• Accompanies class trips, sharing monitoring responsibilities with teachers.
• Converses with children about their learning activities.
• Encourages active participation by students.
• Provides positive role models for children.
• Participates in and assists children with daily routine activities, including dining, napping, and toileting.
• Assists in changing and washing children with soiled clothing.
• Participates in staff development programs.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be a:
• current or former (within 5 years) Prekindergarten Head Start parent volunteer. OR
• former parent volunteer and active in the program as a Student Climate Staff, parent scholar or special needs aide/scholar.
• Must be highly qualified.
• Title: Teacher Assistant, Prekindergarten Head Start (General) (Montessori)
• Must have the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.
• Requires both a written and an oral exam for consideration.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of:
• classroom procedures.
• growth and development of pre-school children.
• Demonstrated ability to:
• use basic educational materials and instructional aids.
• develop learning experiences and to participate in learning activities.
• assist in the preparation of classroom materials.
• understand the learning process of children.
• relate to and interact with children in a positive manner.
• understand and implement oral and written instructions.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Starting salary with CDA: $27,916 annually

Starting salary without CDA: $24,648 annually