Head Start Assistant Teacher (Para-Educator)

Walla Walla Public Schools•Walla Walla, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for assisting the Head Start Lead Teacher by performing support tasks related to early childhood education. The role involves working with English and non-English speaking students to facilitate academic skills and oral language development, supervising children both indoors and outdoors, and providing instructional assistance such as facilitating learning centers, individual and small group instruction, and modeling play. The assistant teacher will also help prepare instructional materials, meet the social and emotional needs of young children, perform basic clerical tasks, assist with record-keeping, and support students with personal hygiene and classroom cleanliness.

Requirements

High School diploma or GED.
AA Degree, 72 college level credits, or ability to pass the Federal Para-Educator test.
Preschool Child Development Associate Certificate (CDA) or a state-awarded certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements for a CDA credential, or enrolled in a program that will lead to an associate or baccalaureate degree or, enrolled in a CDA credential program to be completed within two years of the time of hire.
Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
Knowledge/awareness of own cultural identity and how this influences behavior, and desire to learn about the cultural identity of others.
Ability to establish and nurture an environment that promotes cultural competence and equitable treatment of staff, students, and patrons of the district.
Ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, and parents – including phone and email communication.
Possess the desire to be a role model for students and to interact positively with students.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff and the public.
Understanding of early childhood development.
Must be willing to acquire a health examination that includes screening for tuberculosis.
Requires fingerprinting and background check to determine that there have been no convictions involving physical molestation, abuse, injury or neglect of a minor.
Must complete Walla Walla Public Schools Risk Management and Bloodborne Pathogens Training upon hire.
Must have or ability to obtain a CPR/First Aid card.

Responsibilities

Work with English and non-English speaking students under the direction of classroom teachers to facilitate academic skills and oral language development.
Supervise children inside and outside the building in a variety of situations.
Provide instructional assistance such as, but not limited to, facilitating learning centers; individual and small group instruction; facilitating and modeling play.
Assist in the preparation of materials needed for classroom instruction.
Meet the needs of young children by performing duties as requested by the supervising teacher, including social skills and behavioral/emotional needs.
Perform basic clerical tasks in the development of teaching materials.
Assist with maintaining records on a weekly basis.
Assist with personal hygiene needs of students.
Assist with cleaning and disinfecting of classroom equipment and materials.
May serve on various district committees and/or departmental work teams.
Perform related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.
Promote positive public relations when communicating with the public.