Head Start Teacher Assistant

You Thrive Florida•Pierson, FL

1d•$15 - $17•Onsite

About The Position

The Head Start Teacher Assistant supports the teacher with the day-to-day operation and management of the classroom. The role helps provide a developmentally appropriate learning environment and guides children’s learning experiences to meet their individual needs. The position is full time, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with the primary work location at Head Start facilities in Hernando, Sumter, and/or Volusia counties and occasional travel to other counties. The assistant works with the teacher to plan and implement learning activities, support children’s development and well-being, maintain classroom documentation, and ensure children are supervised and safe. The role also collaborates with families, staff, volunteers, and community partners, and follows Head Start program requirements and applicable regulations. This position is benefits eligible. The employer lists teacher break pay, sick leave, PTO, employer-paid health benefits, vision and dental plans, a 403(b) retirement plan, company-paid holidays, pet insurance, employer-paid basic life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. The employer is qualified for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Enroll within 90 days of hire in a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential program and complete it 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 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.
Accuracy in completing work; reliable and punctual attendance; ability to work with limited direction.
Knowledge of organizational methods and ability to evaluate situations and make prompt decisions.
Effective oral and written communication skills and ability to analyze and interpret data.
Ability to use and operate a computer and maintain confidentiality.
Ability to meet the position’s physical demands, including lifting and carrying up to 65 pounds; correctable eyesight and hearing are essential.
Ability to use or work with a computer, facsimile machine, copy machine, calculator, multi-line phone, small office and instructional equipment, and a vehicle.

Responsibilities

Assist the teacher with developmentally appropriate activities that support children’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development and meet individual needs.
Implement lesson plans with the teacher using established curricula, providing small-group, large-group, and individual learning experiences.
Guide children in developing basic concepts prescribed by education, nutrition, health, dental, and mental health plans.
Prepare children for vision, hearing, dental, speech, developmental, and other screening or exam procedures.
Assist with ongoing observations and assessments, including anecdotal notes, health checks, and required tracking tools.
Maintain each child’s Education Child Portfolio with current required documentation.
Work with the teacher to identify children with suspected delays or other concerns and support implementation of local education agency IEPs.
Organize and document outdoor play; promote gross motor development and balance indoor and outdoor activities.
Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly classroom and playground; report needed repairs and address unsafe areas appropriately.
Help keep the classroom adequately supplied and provide learning experiences that encourage problem-solving, exploration, questioning, initiative, and learning by doing.
Encourage language development through open-ended questions and promote positive self-concept, social skills, and cultural and ethnic acceptance.
Supervise children at all times and maintain required child-to-staff ratios.
Help maintain accurate attendance and sign-in/sign-out records and notify the Family Advocate of known reasons for absences.
Participate in breakfast and lunch with children and support family-style dining and healthy cooking experiences reflecting the population’s ethnic and cultural composition.
Plan and participate in safety, fire, and storm drills; collaborate with health staff on first-aid supplies, secure medication storage, and OSHA standards.
Maintain regular documented contact with parents; assist with two home visits and two parent-teacher conferences yearly, document parent participation, and provide two individualized home activities per child each month.
Acquaint volunteers with the classroom and assist with parent bulletin boards.
Report suspected child abuse and neglect according to program policies and procedures.
Recruit children for the program and participate in community activities that enhance Head Start.
Maintain documentation required by the USDA/Child Care Food Program and ensure data quality and timely completion.
Participate in center and classroom activities, parent meetings, annual parent activities, training programs, staff meetings, and other meetings or trainings as requested.
Act as an advocate and role model for Head Start families and maintain confidentiality of client, staff, and agency information.
Assist with developing and implementing the annual training plan, including pre-service, in-service, T/TA, and ongoing training requirements.
Demonstrate proficiency and application of the CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System) in the learning environment.
Participate in ongoing monitoring, Community Assessment, and Self-Assessment and perform related functions.
Submit reports, documents, and files as directed; follow Head Start, You Thrive Florida, and applicable federal, state, and local policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.
Organize and prioritize assignments, maintain effective working relationships, and perform additional duties as assigned.