Teacher Assistant (PT, Head Start)

Lower Columbia College•Longview, WA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Join our Head Start team as a Teacher Assistant! We're looking for a dedicated Teacher Assistant to provide vital support to our Lead Teachers in a Head Start classroom. In this role, you will help implement a high-quality, center-based program designed to build essential school readiness skills for preschool children. The classification for this position is classified as a Early Childhood Program Specialist 2 under Washington State Classification Specifications. The workload for this position averages 17.5 hours per week, no more than 19 hours per week/ OR 75 hours per month, for 9.25 months per year. This position reports to the Area Manager. Successful candidates start at the beginning of the salary range and will receive scheduled salary increases.

Requirements

18 years old
High School diploma or equivalent
AA Degree in Early Childhood Education
Demonstrated knowledge in early childhood development, including cognitive, language, social-emotional, and physical growth in preschool-aged children
A year or more experience in a classroom supportive role with children ages birth to 3 grade.
Previous experience and/or willingness to serve low-income and/or underrepresented populations
Proven ability to collaborate effectively in a team-oriented environment
Strong communication skills
Washington State Patrol Background Check
Sex Offender Registry Check
TB test completed within the last year
Food Worker Card
Valid Driver’s License
Cleared Portable Background Check through MERIT (to include fingerprinting)
Policy Council Approval
Provide Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) or Acceptable Version of CIS in accordance with the Washington Department of Health, to include: MMR Vaccine or proof of immunity to measles
Applicants must currently reside in Washington or Oregon, or be willing to relocate to one of these states.
Provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. citizenship or appropriate legal authorization to work for the duration of this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1995.

Nice To Haves

A year or more experience in a classroom supportive role with children ages three to five.
Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

Assists Lead Teacher in providing experiences through utilization of the lesson plan to promote cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development, directing children in educational activities as well as during lunch, free time, field trips, transitions between activities and playground periods.
Assist Lead Teacher with providing and maintaining an environment in accordance with the Creative Curriculum.
Uses positive guidance techniques such as redirecting challenging behavior, setting and maintaining limits, maintaining self-control in a respectful manner without being threatening or humiliating, following the Discipline Policy and Procedure.
Observes and records behaviors of children to assist the teacher in the identification of each child's strengths, areas to grow and areas of progress.
Manages the classroom in Lead Teacher's absence.
Helps achieve a pleasant, inviting atmosphere in which the child feels comfortable and secure including reinforcing ethnic and cultural backgrounds of children.
Assists the Lead Teacher in administering developmental screening tools on enrolled Head Start/ECEAP children.
Assists as a bus monitor monitoring transportation of children to and/or from school daily, as needed.
Establishes friendly cooperative relationships with parents and encourages parent participation in the classroom.
Receive visitors and telephone inquiries, explain procedures and program routine.
Respects the confidentiality of information about enrolled children and families, personnel issues and program operations as defined in the Confidentiality Policy.
Discusses concerns directly and openly with appropriate staff persons.
Administers prescribed medication and first aid; handle medical emergencies as they arise.
Meets with team members to collaborate on planning and delivery of services.
Attends appropriate workshops, classes and other professional development activities.
Other duties as assigned.