Preschool Assistant Teacher - Full Year

Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties•Saint Paul, MN

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Center Education Coordinator or Assistant Center Education Coordinator, this position is responsible for providing comprehensive educational services in compliance with DHS regulations, Head Start Performance Standards, program guidelines, policies, and procedures. The Assistant Teacher is responsible for implementing the early childhood curriculum into the classroom by assisting in the creation of lesson plans, and developing and executing individual learning plans to meet the needs of every child (in particular those in the primary care group), including observing, assessing, and documenting each child’s progress. Also responsible for maintaining active supervision of children and for providing ongoing communication with parents, including during home visits, parent conferences and other events.

Requirements

Must meet one of these four requirements: (Add new information based on enrollment reduction) A current Preschool CDA credential or a state-awarded certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements for a CDA credential OR Enrolled and actively pursuing an AA/AS or BA/BS in Early Childhood Education or a degree in a related field.
6 months of experience in an early childhood setting, 6 semester credit
Must meet minimal experience required by MN Department of Human Services Rule 3 for licensed child care centers
Ability to effectively relate and communicate to people of varying multi-ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.
Flexible and willing to work in a team-teaching environment.
Capable of using good judgment in daily teaching situations, and in interactions with staff, parents and community volunteers.
Must successfully complete and pass the criminal background check.
To ensure compliance with program requirements, and safety of staff and clients, the ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing is required.
Must obtain CPR/First Aid Certification within 90 days of hire; must maintain certifications.
Must be able to lift 50 pounds and have the stamina to model best practices in the classroom and act appropriately in an emergency situation.
Physically capable of reacting to the demands of active 3-5 year olds.
Must possess the stamina and ability to physically model best practices in the classroom.
Must be able to successfully pass pre-placement Head Start physical exam.

Nice To Haves

A valid driver’s license and reliable transportation on a daily basis is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide comprehensive services for children in early care and education classrooms maintaining compliance in the program’s guidelines and procedures.
Adhere to Head Start performance standards as well as MN DHS licensing regulations and Child & Adult Care Food Program.
Strictly follow the highest standards of confidentiality and ethics when working with children, parents, and peers.
Engage each child in the classroom with hands-on learning and assist the lead teacher as they execute their role.
Assist in the creation and implementation of detailed and comprehensive lesson plans using Creative Curriculum (per Curricula and Intentional Planning Procedure), which includes intentional planning to support children in attaining individual child-level goals and to achieve measurable outcomes determined by Teacher observations and ratings in the program’s child assessment tool.
Document, level and finalize each child’s development within the assigned primary care group using the designated online assessment tool TS GOLD (per Assessment & Child Goals: Individualizing for Children Policy).
Observe each child on a regular basis in all developmental domains to establish individual child goals that are meaningful and measurable.
Responsible for recording authentic observations and accurate documentation to track and achieve measurable child outcomes and established programmatic school readiness goals.
Partner with parents to establish child goals and present results of the child’s progress towards meeting the goals using the program’s assessment tool to parents in a manner that is easy to understand.
Communicate with parents regarding the child’s overall development including the child’s successes and areas of potential concern or needed improvement (per Family Teacher Conferences policy).
Assist in the design of a safe and developmentally appropriate learning environment ensuring active supervision is maintained at all times (per Teaching and Learning Environment Policy).
Actively participate in the Inspection of the classroom indoor and outdoor space daily ensuring that materials are safe(per Daily Potential Hazards Checklist), including cleaning and safety checklists.
Report all major issues to management.
Conduct daily informal health checks of each child.
Actively participate in all emergency drills (per Emergency Safety Lockdown policy).
Assist in developing and implementing trauma-informed classroom supports.
Utilize and follow the program’s social-emotional curriculum.
Create opportunities for children to build trusting relationships within healthy boundaries.
Model appropriate expression of feelings (per Promotion of Children’s Mental Health, Social and Emotional Well-Being policy and Pyramid Implementation in Classrooms policy).
Provide positive behavior supports with the understanding that behavior of children is a form of communication that can be shaped through the development of strong relationships with children (per Behavior Guidance Licensing and Classroom Approach policy and Pyramid Implementation in Classrooms policy), consistent expectations, natural consequences, and on-the-spot behavior replacement guidance.
Participate in classroom assessment in determining the implementation of Pyramid practices through the use of the Teaching Pyramid Observation Tool (TPOT).
Teach skills using evidence-based strategies to enhance children’s social emotional development.
Assist in creating a material-rich environment to stimulate social interactions among children.
In collaboration with Teacher, establish consistent routines, rules and social expectations and have classroom materials that promote social emotional health.
Model appropriate behavior and allow children to practice and implement new skills and language related to conflict resolution, sharing, and taking turns.
Actively participate in Practice-Based Coaching (per Training and Professional Development: Coaching policy) to improve teaching skills, including setting goals, implementing suggested practices and strategies within the classroom, reflecting on effectiveness with a Quality Support Coach and attending Community of Practice training sessions on a regular basis.
Participate in annual classroom quality observations, which is completed using the CLASS Observation Tool (per CLASS Observation Tool policy).
If federal thresholds are not met, Preschool Teacher Assistants must actively participate in Practice-Based Coaching to provide support to teachers in improving CLASS scores.
Assist in ensuring that children’s classroom files and necessary program database (daily attendance and meal count, home visits, conferences, child goals, etc.), children’s tracking log, monthly reports, health and safety logs, separation log, accident reports, and any additional documentation are current and up to date.
Model appropriate and respectful behavior to the children, parents, fellow staff and program leadership following the NAEYC Code of Ethics and signed Code of Ethical Conduct Statement of Commitment.
Promote parent engagement and participation in all areas of the Head Start Program.
Communicate opportunities, such as volunteer opportunities in the classroom, center meetings and events, Parent Education activities, community events and resources, and Policy Council and Advisory committees.
Attain and maintain reliability certifications within established program deadlines.
Actively participates in required and optional professional training classes and workshops as available.
Maintain personal training logs.
Complete required number of annual training hours necessary to remain in compliance with Minnesota Rule 3 Licensing guidelines.
Actively participate in agency and community meetings, classroom team meetings, center team meetings, family fun events, conferences, and home visits.
Maintain personal training logs.
Complete required number of annual training hours necessary to remain in compliance with Minnesota Rule 3 Licensing guidelines.
In response to the staffing needs of the center, this position will be expected to support all age groups (0 to 5) at the site, if needed.
If assigned to the location of “multi-site”, staff will be required to work at multiple locations and will be expected to support all classrooms, children ages 0-5 years.
Perform other functions as necessary or as assigned.
Responsible for the area of supervision and daily enforcement of safety regulations and practices.