Head Start Teacher Assistant

You Thrive Florida•Daytona Beach, FL

19d•$15 - $17

About The Position

The Head Start Teacher Assistant supports the teacher with the day-to-day operation and management of the classroom and helps provide developmentally appropriate learning experiences in a safe, supportive environment. The role assists with implementing curricula and lesson plans, meeting children’s individual needs, supporting children’s development, and maintaining classroom and program documentation. The position also involves working with families, colleagues, volunteers, and community partners, and following Head Start, organizational, and applicable legal requirements. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The position is full-time and benefits eligible. The primary location is a Head Start facility in Hernando, Sumter, and/or Volusia counties, with occasional travel to other counties.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
No prior experience required.
Enroll within 90 days of hire in a program to complete the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential within nine months.
After completing the CDA program, enroll to complete an associate degree within two years.
Valid Florida driver’s license and eligibility for coverage under the company’s current insurance carrier.
Subject to applicable federal, state, and local legal requirements and background checks.
Ability to plan and carry out lesson plans and learn to coordinate activities.
Ability to work with children with special needs and establish effective working relationships, particularly with parents and children.
Ability to complete work accurately, arrive daily and on time, and work with limited direction.
Knowledge of organizational methods and ability to evaluate situations and make prompt decisions.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, analyze and interpret data, and use a computer.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of You Thrive Florida, Head Start, child, and parent information.
Ability to be reliable, responsible, and accountable to job requirements.
Correctable eyesight and hearing.
Ability to perform frequent talking, standing, sitting, squatting, kneeling, walking, reaching, handling, grasping, climbing, bending, turning, balancing, pushing, pulling, carrying, lifting up to 65 pounds, and driving.

Responsibilities

Assist the teacher in providing developmentally appropriate activities that support children’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development.
Implement lesson plans with the teacher using established curricula and provide small-group, large-group, and individual learning experiences.
Guide children in developing basic concepts through education, nutrition, health, dental, and mental health plans.
Prepare children for vision, hearing, dental, speech, developmental, and other screening or examination procedures.
Assist with observations and assessments, including anecdotal notes, health checks, and required tracking tools.
Help maintain each child’s education portfolio and current required documentation.
Work with the teacher to identify children with suspected delays or other concerns, and support implementation of local education agency IEPs.
Implement and document organized outdoor play, support gross motor development, and balance indoor and outdoor activities.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly classroom and playground; report needed repairs and address unsafe conditions appropriately.
Help maintain classroom supplies and provide learning experiences that encourage problem-solving, exploration, questioning, and learning by doing.
Encourage children’s language development and support positive self-concept, social skills, and cultural and ethnic acceptance.
Supervise children directly at all times and maintain required child-to-staff ratios.
Help maintain accurate attendance and sign-in/sign-out records, and share known reasons for child absences with the Family Advocate.
Participate with children at breakfast and lunch and support family-style dining and healthy cooking experiences.
Plan and participate in safety, fire, and storm drills; work with health staff on first aid supplies, medication storage, and OSHA standards.
Maintain and document parent contact; assist with home visits, parent/teacher conferences, parent participation records, individualized home activities, and parent bulletin boards.
Orient classroom volunteers and report suspected child abuse or neglect in accordance with program procedures.
Assist with child recruitment, community activities, food-program documentation, parent and center activities, and annual training plans.
Attend and participate in training, staff meetings, and other meetings; maintain confidentiality and effective working relationships.
Demonstrate proficiency in the CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System) learning environment and participate in monitoring, community assessment, and self-assessment.
Submit reports and other records as directed and follow You Thrive Florida, Head Start, and applicable federal, state, and local policies and regulations.
Perform additional duties as assigned by a supervisor or management.