Teacher Assistant

Nature of Work

Assist the Teacher in providing instruction and supervision in a safe and healthy learning environment for preschool aged children. Participate in planning and implementing the programs curriculum to fidelity by engaging in learning opportunities in all developmental domains. Assist in screening, on-going assessment and individualization for each student. Works in collaboration with other components and parents to ensure the educational, health, and social services needs of individual children and their families are met. Encourages involvement of families in all aspects of the program.

Meets requirements for Head Start Performance Standards, Montana childcare licensing regulations, STARS to quality program, and Child Start Inc., Head Start policies and procedures. Maintains confidentiality.

Education and Experience

Minimum Requirement:

Must have at least a CDA credential for preschool aged children, have an Associates or Baccalaureate degree, or be enrolled in a program leading to a CDA credential, an Associates, or Baccalaureate degree within 2 years of hire.

Preferred Requirements:

Experience working with children in a Head Start or preschool setting. Training in child development, classroom management, child abuse prevention, positive guidance, social work, communication, and organization.

Essential Functions

Classroom Functions

• Assist in maintaining a safe, healthy learning environment.
• Clean and sanitize the classroom weekly.
• Follow the classroom’s clear, consistent schedule set by the Teacher.
• Offer constructive input into lesson planning, including individualizing for each student, and classroom learning activities.
• Assist Teacher in implementation of lesson plans and everyday tasks.
• Engage in age/developmentally appropriate learning opportunities to students to support growth in the areas of language and literacy, social and emotional development, math, science, social studies, creative arts, and physical development.
• Utilize and implement CLASS strategies appropriately in the classroom to create an optimal learning environment.
• Guide student’s behavior in positive ways that support total growth and development following Child Start Inc.’s Child Guidance policy and Behavior Management procedure.
• Promote and model good health and nutrition practices for students.
• Monitor the health and safety of students while at school.
• Follow active supervision to ensure safety of all children.
• Assist in documenting child’s developmental progress using program’s data collection systems.
• Assist in completing developmental screenings for each student within the first 45 days of attendance.
• Assist in taking anecdotal records for each student, and enter into the COR system weekly.
• Assumes the role of classroom Teacher, and all responsibilities, when the Teacher is absent.

Collaboration

• Actively seek to involve parents and families in the educational process and development of their child.
• Promote regular communication with parents via phone calls, newsletters, e-mails, flyers, school activities, and meetings to form mutually supportive relationships.
• Participate in required home visits and parent-teacher conferences to share developmental progress and set appropriate goals.
• Work collaboratively with all components of Child Start Inc. to provide comprehensive services for children and families.
• Provide support to volunteers, substitutes, Foster Grandparents, and parents when in the classroom.
• Collaborate with all staff to support a positive working environment.
• Maintain a positive working relationship with your Teacher to ensure the students are receiving a quality educational experience.
• Participate in all required program meetings and trainings.
• Complete all tasks in the required time frame for each.
• Follow Child Start Inc.’s procedure for any absences.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities to Perform Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Basic knowledge of computer usage.
• Ability to take direction and accept flexibility in job expectations.
• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to prioritize, organize, problem solve, and effectively handle multiple tasks.
• Physical ability to move quickly in order to respond to children for safety purposes.
• Ability to respond appropriately to an emergency or crisis situation.
• Able to identify and solve problems constructively.
• Attends and participates constructively at all scheduled service area and program-wide meetings and trainings.
• Participates in required training.
• Promotes a positive work environment.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with staff, parents and community.
• Ensure Head Start Performance Standards and state childcare licensing requirements are followed.
• Abides by Child Start Inc. Standards of Conduct and Policies and Procedures to accomplish agency goals.

Essential Tasks Related to Work Site and Environmental Conditions

• Able to lift up to 45 pounds on a daily basis
• Able to kneel, stoop, bend, twist, push, pull, crawl, sit, and

go up and down stairs daily.

• Able to perform duties in an active environment.
• Able to operate office equipment as applicable.
• Ability to see and hear (with or without assistance).
• Ability to read, write, and count.
• Others that apply:
  1. Outside/inside conditions
  2. Travel by car or bus
  3. Excessive temperatures
  4. Excessive noise/intermittent or constant
  5. Hands in water and cleaning solutions, solvents
  6. Silica, asbestos, etc., fumes, smoke, gases, dust
  7. Radiant/electrical energy
  8. Slippery/uneven walking surfaces
  9. Pollens, animal dander
  10. Slippery/uneven walking surfaces
  11. Pollens, animal dander