Head Start Teacher Assistant

Innovative Network of Knowledge • Monroe, LA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

It's a great feeling to work for a company that does so much good for others around the world! This role involves protecting the physical and mental health and safety of children, assisting with responsive care and effective teaching, and implementing curricula to provide developmentally appropriate learning experiences. The position also supports screenings, assessments, and ongoing evaluation of child development, and encourages parent and family engagement. The assistant will follow appropriate practices to keep children safe, comply with positive adult-child interactions, and complete training requirements. Regular communication with teachers regarding student progress and maintaining organized, compliant child files and classroom documentation are key. The role also includes monitoring the classroom for hazards and ensuring timely incident reporting.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED
• Completion of Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) or state awarded certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements for a CDA credential
• Currently enrolled in a program that will lead to an Associate or Bachelor’s degree
• Currently enrolled in a CDA credential program to be completed within two years of the time of hire
• Ability to respond sensitively and competently to the service population’s cultural and socio-economic characteristics.
• Effective written and verbal communication in English
• Ability to maintain emotional control and professional composure at all times.
• Working knowledge of all INK policies and procedures.
• Ability to organize and prioritize duties and responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently.
• Possess a valid driver’s license
• Complete and pass health examination
• Confirm work eligibility status
• Successfully pass driving history check
• Clear criminal background check
• Required to lift up to 60 pounds.
• Required to stand, sit on the floor, bend, squat, kneel, lift children, and engage with children.
• Exposure to communicable diseases, and other hazards such as cigarette smoke, pets, at risk neighborhoods, etc.
• Travel up to 50% by car, bus, airplane, or train may also be required associated with attendance at conferences, meetings and other duties carried out at distant locations in and out of state and in some cases where some overnight travel may be required.
• Some evenings and weekend work may occasionally be required for events such as home visits, parent teacher conferences, Parent Committee meetings, community, and social events such as field trips.
• Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field.
• Two years of experience in the preschool classroom setting.
• Bilingual (Spanish).
• Effective written and verbal communication in Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Protect the physical and mental health and safety of our children and no child is left alone or unsupervised while under our care.
• Assist with the provision of responsive care, effective teaching, and an organized learning environment that promotes healthy development and children’s skill growth aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five, including children with disabilities.
• Assist with the implementation of prescribed curricula to provide developmentally appropriate learning experiences in language, literacy, social and emotional development, math, science, social studies, creative arts, and physical development, and integrate child assessment data in individual and group planning.
• Support screenings, assessments, and ongoing evaluation of the child’s developmental level and progress in outcomes.
• Support opportunities for parents and family members to engage in their child’s development and in program services, including but not limited to parent conferences, home visits, and group activities.
• Follow appropriate practices to keep children safe during all activities, including reporting at a minimum suspected or known child abuse and neglect, appropriate supervision of children at all times; and all standards of conduct.
• Comply with positive adult-child interactions as measured by the CLASS: Pre-K instrument.
• Complete minimum training requirements as specified in state and federal standards.
• Regular communication with teachers ensures they are well-informed about their students’ behavior, and progress.
• Maintain child files, classroom forms, and other documentation and ensure those documents are compliant, current, and organized.
• Monitor classroom and make certain it is free from physical and environmental hazards.
• Ensure incident reporting occurs within the timeframes designated in program policy and protocol.
• Use age-appropriate equipment, materials, supplies and physical space for indoor and outdoor learning environments, including functional space, and change materials periodically to support children’s evolving interests and development.
• Support teachers’ response to classroom observations through modifications to teaching strategies and lesson plans in accordance with prescribed curricula.
• Communicate child observations to teachers, including the identification of potential interference with a child’s development and school readiness.
• Support teachers’ coordination with education, family, mental health and/or child development professional program staff to address identified needs.
• Participate in school functions, scheduled meetings and team decision and operations.
• Work collaboratively with other staff members, service providers and professionals.
• Maintain confidentiality in all areas of child and program operations.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.

Benefits

• INK is committed to following immunization recommendations produced by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). As such, our company policy requires that all employees must receive an annual Influenza vaccination or obtain an approved exemption as a medical or religious accommodation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED