Teacher Assistant - Ionia 3

Eightcap Inc • Ionia, MI

1d • $18 - $22

About The Position

The Teacher Assistant supports the Teacher in creating a safe, healthy, and organized environment for children and adults. The position assists with planning and implementing learning experiences through effective curriculum implementation and assessment, and involves regular communication with children, families, and staff to ensure program requirements and outcomes are met. The Teacher Assistant supports children’s social and emotional development and encourages families to be actively involved in their children’s education, recognizing parents and guardians as their children’s first and most important teachers.

This position is full-time, non-exempt, and hourly, with 40 hours per week during 41–44 weeks per year in the school year. It is part of the Head Start program and reports to the Teacher. No positions are supervised. The position works primarily in Head Start and Early Head Start classroom settings, with local travel between program sites, training locations, meetings, and community events potentially required.

Requirements

• Associate degree in early childhood education or child development; a Preschool or Birth to 5 Child Development Associate (CDA); or an associate degree in a related field with 12 semester hours in early childhood education or child development.
• Ability to communicate effectively and positively and collaborate respectfully and professionally with staff, families, agency representatives, service providers, and community organizations in a non-judgmental manner.
• Understanding of mandated reporting requirements, including the ability to recognize, document, and report suspected child abuse or neglect in accordance with state law and program procedures.
• Must successfully complete all required state and federal background clearances.
• Must possess a valid Michigan driver’s license, maintain an acceptable driving record, and have reliable transportation available for work-related travel.

Responsibilities

• Provide a safe, healthy, and organized environment for children through daily activity monitoring, classroom maintenance, and completion of required checklists.
• Follow program confidentiality policies for personally identifiable information and maintain professional boundaries with enrolled children and families.
• Follow Office of Head Start, Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) regulations and requirements.
• Assist in maintaining accurate records, including attendance, CACFP mealtime documentation, in-kind records, and communicable disease reports.
• Participate in planning, conducting, and documenting home visits and parent-teacher conferences; share child outcomes; evaluate progress toward individual child and family goals; and report suspected child abuse or neglect.
• Communicate positively with children, parents and guardians, the teaching team, support staff, community partners, and the supervisor.
• Work professionally and cooperatively with staff, parents and guardians, volunteers, service providers, and community partners to support smooth operations and address concerns.
• Know and follow emergency procedures to respond effectively in emergencies.
• Participate in professional development and training to maintain compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and Child Day Care Licensing Regulations.
• Follow the classroom schedule and help ensure smooth transitions between activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• AD&D coverage
• Medical flex benefits
• 401(k) with a 5% employer match beginning on the employee’s one-year anniversary
• Staff may be eligible to apply for unemployment benefits during layoff periods, in accordance with state unemployment regulations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree