Head Start Assistant Teacher

EASTER SEALS NORTH GEORGIA • Danielsville, GA

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Head Start Assistant Teacher assists the Teacher in facilitating quality, individualized early childhood education by implementing developmentally appropriate practices in an inclusive environment. Working as a team member with Early Childhood Specialists, the Assistant Teacher helps plan and implement activities that support children’s growth and development, promote social competence, and ensure parental involvement in program activities.

The position supports classroom operations, child safety and supervision, communication with families and staff, record keeping, program compliance, and required professional development. The Assistant Teacher may lead the classroom when the Teacher is absent and serve as a bus monitor as needed.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must possess a minimum of a Childhood Development Associate Credential (CDA) with preschool endorsement, TCC, TCD, an equivalent credential, or a higher credential in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Development, Special Education, or an equivalent field. Employees hired without the minimum credential must pursue and complete it within the agency-prescribed timeframe.
• Must pass a drug test.
• Must pass pre-employment tests if applicable.
• Must have the knowledge, skills, and experience to perform assigned functions responsibly.
• Must be familiar with the ethnic backgrounds and cultures of program families and be able, to the extent feasible, to serve and communicate effectively with children and families with no or limited English proficiency.
• Must have training, experience, and knowledge of child growth and development theories and principles, early childhood education, and family support.
• Must have excellent communication skills and fluency to communicate with children and families.
• Must be able to move or lift children up to age five.
• Must be able to stand, sit, and walk for sustained periods, including responding quickly to safety concerns.
• Must be able to use hands and fingers for tasks such as operating a computer and picking, pinching, and handling objects.
• Must be able to climb stairs, stoop, kneel, crouch, sit on the floor, or crawl as needed when working with children.
• Must be able to reach in any direction and push or pull objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Must be able to talk and hear to exchange information accurately.
• Must be able to see clearly for child safety and supervision, computer use, and extensive reading and writing.
• Must be able to work indoors and outdoors and assist children as needed while on a moving bus.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and implementing developmentally and linguistically appropriate activities that recognize and support each child’s rate of development.
• Help assess the safety of classroom and outdoor play areas before children participate in activities.
• Help organize classroom areas for learning, eating, resting, and playing in accordance with the Creative Curriculum.
• Accompany children to and from the bus, classroom, playground, and out-of-center activities while maintaining attendance checks and headcounts.
• Serve as Bus Monitor as needed.
• Help develop a daily schedule of child-initiated and teacher-initiated activities.
• Maintain staff and classroom ratios at all times.
• Lead the classroom in the absence of the Teacher.
• Maintain appropriate communication among children, families, teaching staff, the Center Manager, and community organizations.
• Support and participate in the values and missions of ESNG.
• Help complete weekly classroom Health and Safety Checklists and report accurate program numbers for weekly reports.
• Help maintain accurate, up-to-date educational and nutritional records for children and maintain confidentiality.
• Follow policies and practices that support Georgia licensure, NAEYC accreditation, and Head Start performance standards.
• Conduct and document at least two home visits for Head Start children and two parent conferences for all children during the program area.
• Assist with child transition plans, including supporting parents as advocates, sharing transition-related needs, helping with feeder-school field trips, and connecting parents with community resources.
• Participate in mandatory trainings and educational programs, including pre-service and in-service training.
• Complete the minimum training hours required by DHR, OSR, Georgia Pre-K, and Head Start.
• Maintain punctuality and attendance and communicate in a manner that supports a positive work atmosphere.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree