Assistant Teacher 3-5: Columbus Classroom E

SEK-CAP•Columbus, KS

133d•$15 - $17•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Teacher collaborates with classroom and center staff to deliver quality, developmentally appropriate services for children and families. The role fosters a nurturing climate that promotes growth, learning, and positive interactions; steps in as Lead Teacher when needed; and ensures adherence to Head Start Performance Standards and state childcare guidelines. The Assistant Teacher supports daily program operations and compliance with applicable policies, procedures, and programs, including Head Start Performance Standards, KDHE Licensing, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and agency practices and systems. The role helps maintain clean, sanitary, orderly, safe, and professional facilities and supports management decisions. The position provides basic care and developmental support for children ages 3–5, including routines, toileting, meals, active supervision, classroom activities, and individualized teaching. The Assistant Teacher supports school readiness and social-emotional goals, observes children’s development, makes appropriate referrals, and fills in as Lead Teacher when necessary. The role engages families and community partners through home visits, parent-teacher conferences, recruitment and volunteer documentation, sharing child-development information, and coordination with Family Services and other professionals. It also includes data entry and documentation, participation in consultations, training and staff meetings, and supporting health, safety, and emergency preparedness. Regular, reliable attendance, professionalism, confidentiality, cultural responsiveness, and effective collaboration are expected.

Requirements

Preschool CDA credential or a state-awarded certificate meeting or exceeding CDA requirements; alternatively, be enrolled in a program leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree in Early Childhood or a related field, or obtain a CDA credential within one year of hire and keep it current.
Be eligible to obtain KDHE program approval.
Obtain and maintain current First Aid and CPR certification.
Submit to and pass a standard criminal history check.
Hold a current, valid driver’s license and meet agency insurance underwriting guidelines.
Successfully complete a physical exam and TB skin test before beginning employment.
Basic computer skills, including general PC knowledge and working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, data entry, email, and digital calendars.
Basic operation of general office equipment such as photocopiers, fax machines, and phone systems.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse personalities; tact, maturity, and flexibility.
Ability to deal tactfully with the public and communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing.
Resourcefulness, organization, ability to learn, and adaptability.
Ability to maintain regular attendance and, if necessary, work unconventional business hours.
Ability to travel within the agency area and occasionally out of the area for training and professional development.
Ability to use hands and fingers to handle or operate objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and communicate effectively in person and by telephone.
Vision sufficient for close and distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and adjusting focus.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, and crouch regularly throughout the day.
Ability to regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Three to five years of experience working with young children in a classroom setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

Support quality daily program operations and maintain a nurturing environment for children, families, and staff.
Implement and maintain applicable policies, procedures, and programs, including Head Start Performance Standards, KDHE Licensing, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, agency manuals, social-emotional strategies, Reflective Supervision, ERSEA, APRICOT, Frog Street, Cognitive Toybox, and recruitment plans.
Support management decisions and help keep facilities and common areas clean, sanitary, orderly, and safe.
Provide basic care for children, including toileting, family-style meals, and daily routines.
Engage with children to support language development, learning, and overall growth, adapting interactions to each child’s developmental level.
Actively supervise children using indoor and outdoor zoning.
Guide children through mealtime routines, including family-style meals and cafeteria transitions.
Model appropriate engagement with children ages 3–5 for staff and families.
Use social-emotional strategies to prevent and reduce challenging behavior.
Help establish a developmentally appropriate classroom using Frog Street, social-emotional supports, and strategies identified by management.
Screen and observe children’s developmental levels and make appropriate referrals to local Special Education Services.
Individualize teaching to support school readiness and social-emotional goals with families.
Fill in as Lead Teacher when necessary.
Conduct two educational home visits and two parent-teacher conferences during the program year, if needed.
Work cooperatively with Family Services and other professionals and help ensure communication between early-childhood resources and families.
Work with the Lead Teacher to ensure recruitment hours are met and volunteer hours are documented.
Share Cognitive Toybox report information during conferences, home visits, or upon parent request.
Complete data entry in the agency-approved system and complete relevant program and staff-management forms and documentation.
Participate in mental health clinical consultations, mandatory in-service training, and staff meetings.
Travel within the agency area and occasionally outside the area for training and professional development.
Identify children’s nutritional needs, ensure allergy and dietary information is available in the kitchen and Classroom Support Guide, and inform necessary staff.
Help support staff and families in conducting developmental and social-emotional screenings.
Report suspected abuse or neglect to the appropriate authority.
Follow emergency procedures during drills and real incidents to protect children and staff.
Maintain regular, reliable attendance and collaborate with classroom staff to provide a safe, welcoming, engaging learning environment.
Advocate for SEK-CAP, Inc. and Head Start children and families in the community; respect cultural differences and diverse family structures and maintain confidentiality.
Establish positive working relationships with co-workers, community partners, and customers; follow schedules, supervision directives, and agency policies.
Perform other duties as assigned.