Teacher Assistant

Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission•Opp, AL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Teacher Assistant / Auxiliary Teacher works under the general supervision of the Center Director to support effective delivery of Center educational and other services for students, aligned with the Head Start and Early Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework. The role assists Teachers with instruction, classroom operations, student supervision and health checks, children’s social and emotional development, student records, parent communication, home visits, and maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment. The position is security-sensitive and subject to a pre-employment background check. The employee prepares lesson plans, file folders, meal counts, and classroom areas; supervises and interacts with students; prepares delivered meals; documents health checks and student progress; enters information into databases; and communicates with parents and guardians. The employee also helps manage classroom supplies, cleaning and sanitation, and child redirection in accordance with established policies and procedures. Training, staff meetings, pre-service and in-service sessions, and professional development are required. Other job-related duties may be assigned. Work is primarily in a temperature-controlled, well-ventilated classroom, with duties also indoors and outdoors. The environment may be busy and moderately noisy, and may involve varying weather, cleaning supplies, disinfectants, and typical childhood illnesses. Travel between program sites and occasional community or family engagement events may be required.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Possess a Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate or be able to acquire one within two years.
Current and valid driver’s license.
Ability to perform effective CPR and First Aid procedures when needed.
Ability to pass tuberculosis testing or screening.
Ability to work non-standard hours or overtime when required.
Ability to pass required DHR background checks, including CA/N clearance, ABI/FBI check, physical, MVR, pre-employment drug screen, and TB test.
Ability to drive.
Ability to use computers and office productivity software.
Ability to prepare lesson plans, reports, and student documentation; communicate effectively orally and in writing; and perform basic mathematical calculations.
Ability to establish a safe learning environment, effectively teach young children, interact with parents about student progress and challenges, prioritize and multitask, work with little or no supervision, and maintain a professional, courteous, and patient manner.
Ability to meet the physical demands of regular standing, walking, bending, cleaning, reaching, stooping, and carrying items up to 10 pounds; lifting and moving children and classroom materials up to 40 pounds; and kneeling, squatting, or sitting for floor-level interaction.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in early childhood education or a related child-focused field is preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist Teachers with safe and effective instruction and interactions with students.
Assist in preparing lesson plans, student file folders, and daily meal counts.
Supervise students to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment.
Perform daily student health checks and document health status in records.
Interact and communicate with students.
Prepare meals for students; meals are delivered to the Center.
Observe and evaluate students’ social development.
Prepare and maintain student records and enter student information into system databases.
Integrate Head Start components and procedures into classroom functions and activities.
Make home visits with students’ parents and conduct required parent-teacher conferences.
Communicate with students’ parents and guardians.
Help prepare the classroom before students arrive and clean it to maintain a safe learning environment.
Assist Teachers in monitoring classroom supply inventory.
Assist Teachers in providing prompt redirection for children in accordance with established policies and procedures.
Attend training workshops, staff meetings, pre-service and in-service sessions, and professional development as required.
Clean and sanitize teaching areas and perform CPR and First Aid when needed.
Perform other job-related duties as required or assigned.