HS Teacher Assistant

GenerationEd•High Point, NC

2d•$0 - $18

About The Position

The Head Start Teacher Assistant plans, organizes, and supports the operation of programs for a specific group of children, helping provide a high-quality environment in which each child can develop social, emotional, physical, and intellectual competence. The position assists with curriculum implementation, classroom organization, child development and assessment, parent engagement, program management, and professional development. The assistant may also be assigned bus-monitoring duties to support passenger safety during transportation, loading, and unloading. The role works with children, parents, volunteers, and coworkers; maintains a safe, clean, organized, and inclusive learning environment; and follows applicable practices and standards, including HSPS, CLASS, and NAEYC. The position reports to the Center Director and is classified as non-exempt. The stated schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

Requirements

Minimum CDA credential or a state-awarded certificate that meets or exceeds CDA requirements.
Alternatively, an associate degree in or outside the field with 18 semester hours in early childhood education/child development and two years of early childhood experience.
Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors, children, parents, and volunteers.
Ability to perform the job duties, including verbal communication, auditory responsiveness to children and adults, visual ability to complete written assignments, and physical ability to complete assignments, with accommodations as required by law.
Willingness to actively pursue appropriate professional development opportunities.
Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods; lift and carry up to 35 pounds; bend, stoop, and reach; and walk for extended periods while monitoring.
Ability to hear and respond to children, alarms, and safety signals.
Required vision abilities include close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Responsibilities

Assist in organizing classroom space, materials, and routines to create an interesting, secure, and enjoyable environment that encourages play, exploration, and learning.
Assist in developing and implementing integrated activities and experiences appropriate to the developmental levels of the children served.
Use community resources and age-appropriate activities to enrich children's classroom experiences.
Help ensure the classroom respects and reflects children's diverse backgrounds and learning styles and follows HSPS, CLASS, and NAEYC practices.
Perform other job-related tasks as assigned, including bus-monitoring duties as assigned to support children during transport, loading, and unloading.
Communicate effectively with children to foster physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development; use questioning, probing, and problem solving to promote learning.
Interact with children at their eye level using a pleasant and encouraging voice, and support verbal and non-verbal communication, group and individual learning, conflict resolution, smooth transitions, and self-help activities.
Build cooperative relationships with coworkers through open communication, sharing resources, and supporting professional development; maintain a pleasant and cooperative workplace atmosphere.
Develop supportive relationships with parents by respecting child-rearing values and sharing information about child development.
Assist in observing and assessing each child's development using the assessment instrument selected by the Education Committee.
Participate in IEP meetings when applicable and in cross-component team meetings to develop strategies that promote each child's optimal development.
Communicate program activities to parents regularly, including through newsletters and activity calendars; assist with and document parent conferences and home visits as needed or required.
Explain expectations and opportunities for parent involvement and maintain professional relationships with parents.
Maintain a clean and organized learning environment and use available resources to support classroom operations.
Immediately report incidents and suspected child abuse or neglect to the Center Director.
Prepare and submit accurate, timely reports; request supplies and equipment according to procedure; and assist with written lesson plans.
Recruit volunteers and in-kind contributions and participate in program-wide recruitment.
Attend required meetings and training opportunities.
Apply child-development knowledge and appropriate practices, including CLASS and NAEYC, when implementing program strategies, and abide by the NAEYC Code of Ethics.
Assess skills and knowledge with the Center Director and plan for improvement and growth; pursue professional development through staff development, relevant early childhood education courses, and conferences.