Associate Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Associate Teacher

FLSA Status: Nonexempt

Salary grade: Grade 3 

Supervisory Responsibilities: No 

Reporting To: Campus Principal 

Revision Date: 07/01/2023

Policy Council Approval: 1/29/2024

Board of Directors Approval: 2/13/2024 

POSITION SUMMARY

The primary scope of this position is to plan and implement high-quality early education and child development services and provide ongoing assessment and guidance to Head Start (HS) children (three (3) to five (5) years). This position is responsible for the implementation of the Head Start Performance Standards and all other regulatory requirements for their assigned classroom.                   

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Demonstrate knowledge of Brazoria County Head Start (BCHS) mission, goals, policies, and procedures.      
• Demonstrate knowledge of Head Start’s Performance Standards, Early Learning Outcomes, and other regulatory requirements.       
• Communicate and collaborate with all content area staff to implement services that meet the needs of children and families assigned to their classroom.
• Communicate and collaborate with teaching staff, substitutes and volunteers to implement services that meet the needs of children and their families assigned to their respective classrooms.          
• Work with teacher to ensure required tasks and supporting documentation are completed timely and accurately including but not limited to home visits, parent conferences, developmental screenings, assessments, and anecdotal notes. 
• Demonstrate responsive care, effective teaching practices, including the implementation of positive strategies to support children’s well-being, and prevent and address challenging behaviors. 
• Ensure children’s health and safety are in accordance with all regulations. 
• Supervise the children at all times including while on/in playground, restrooms, classroom, field trips, etc. ensuring a safe environment at all times.
• Work with the teacher to set up and implement a well-organized classroom that is developmentally appropriate and inviting for pre-school age children.                               
• Work with the teacher to safeguard the equipment (indoor and outdoor) and materials assigned to classrooms, ensuring adequate supplies are available for all children.                            
• Work with the teacher to develop and implement weekly lesson plans that included planned and appropriate activities that align with the developmental progressions described in the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and are based on relevant child assessment data. 
• Work with the teacher to assess children assigned to their classroom and demonstrate the child’s knowledge, developmental stages, individual differences, and cultural background.
• Eat family style with the children sharing the same menu to direct manners and socialization.
• Promote the importance of the basic self-help skills such as brushing teeth and washing hands.                       
• Communicate and collaborate with parents to engage them in their child (ren)’s learning. 
• Participate in at least two home visits and two parent teacher conferences per family per program year.
• Assist ISD Teacher in preparing and sending two (2) weekly home activities to the parents.                
• Demonstrate on-going personal and professional growth and development to meet program and regulatory requirements.                
• Participate in coaching opportunities, including observation and feedback sessions. 
• Attend all staff meetings and all in-service training sessions and curriculum meetings as designated by the BCHS Principal.

• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.

• This job description may be revised upon development of other duties and changes in responsibilities.

Knowledge, skills & Abilities:

Essential traits for this position are as follows:

• Must be a self-starter.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with team members and management.
• Must be results oriented.
• Must have superior organizational and time management skills.
• Must be able to work independently or on teams in a challenging work atmosphere.
• Must have an exceptional aptitude for attention to detail.
• Must be able to prioritize and balance multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment.
• Must be able to plan and complete tasks and assignments on-schedule with minimal supervision using appropriate judgment.
• Must be able to exercise appropriate judgment, discretion, maintain the confidentiality of all Brazoria County Head Start (BCHS) stakeholders.
• Must be able to contribute to building a positive team spirit; put success of team above own interests; support everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Must be able to show respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; promote a harassment-free environment.
• Must be able to treat people with respect and dignity; work with integrity and ethically uphold the Agency's mission and values.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent and ability to enroll and complete a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential within 2 years.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Child Development Credential (CDA) certification or enrolled in a program leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree.
• Six (6) months in a similar position working with pre-school aged children and able to supervise and interact with a group of 15-20 preschool children.  

Physical Demands & Work Environment: 

Safety is one of our core company values. When necessary, employees may be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE). The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

• Physically fit to endure 8-to-10-hour workdays.  
• Prolonged periods standing and walking throughout the classroom.
• Must be able to repeatedly lift children that may weigh up to 45 pounds at a time.
• Physically capable of pushing up to 45 pounds as needed throughout the day.
• Regularly required to stand, walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms.
• Able to sit on floor; climb or balance; bend at waist, stop, kneel, crouch, or crawl in order to maintain direct eye contact with children.
• Frequently required to bend at the waist and/or knees (i.e. lifting child to place on changing table), stoop, kneel, or crouch while simultaneously lifting or physically supporting a child up to 45 pounds.
• Able to see, hear and speak with children to ensure children’s health and safety.

The work environment is that which is typical of a classroom setting with daily exposure to outdoor weather. The noise level in the environment is very lively and often noisy.

Other:

Must possess a valid Texas driver’s license and have access to a vehicle which is insured as required by the Texas Financial Responsibility Law.