Head Start Teacher Assistant

General Role and Responsibilities The Head Start Teacher Assistant is responsible for assisting in the care and education of a specific group of children as part of a teaching team. The Teacher Assistant helps in the planning and implementation of classroom instructional activities that support and assess children’s learning to inform planning and implementation and provide a safe and inviting classroom environment in accordance with federal Head Start Performance Standards/Head Start Act, Developmentally Appropriate Practices as defined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and State/local requirements. This position requires active participation with other members of the teaching team, various Head Start staff, SCH staff and parents. The Teacher provides direction and oversight of the Teacher Assistant’s daily activities and responsibilities and works in collaboration with the Assistant Director to whom the Teacher Assistant reports. The Teacher Assistant is expected to present a positive and professional image of the School City of Hammond, SCH Head Start and Geminus Head Start. The Teacher Assistant also is expected to actively and effectively participate on committees and work teams as requested. General Skills and Qualifications Possess the knowledge and skills necessary to assist in the provision of high-quality early childhood learning experiences to students and their families whether learning is in-person or virtual. Specific Responsibilities in This Position Assist in the promotion of the cognitive, physical, social and emotional development of students through the planning and implementation of classroom activities (both in-person and/or virtual) that meet curricular goals and objectives and are: self-directed; meaningful; relevant; developmentally appropriate, active and engaging; challenging but achievable; reflective and respectful of students’ needs, interests and differences; and utilize a variety of modalities and materials. Support the use of teaching strategies that: build on what students already know; support student analysis and reasoning; prompt student thought processes and extend student learning; incorporate the use of open-ended questions; expand student vocabulary; employ back-and-forth exchanges to build students’ language skills and assist in concept development. Support student learning through participation in/leading read‑alouds, large and small group activities and engagement during daily activities as outlined by the Teacher. Assist in preparations and management of virtual/e‑Learning days as outlined by Teacher. In the event of virtual learning – participate in virtual classroom experiences by supporting virtual Large Group, Small Group and individualizations through Google Meet and Google Classroom opportunities as scheduled. Participate in the development of a positive classroom climate. Assist in the creation of an effective learning environment through the use of functional and attractive displays (including displays of children’s work, evidence of learning objectives) and interest areas. Assist in the maintenance of a safe and healthy learning environment. Implement active supervision strategies whenever students are present. Help to complete daily/weekly classroom and building environment checklists to ensure meeting of standards and regulations regarding education, health, and safety. Prepare classroom environment, equipment, supplies and material for daily classroom activities, as outlined by Teacher. Assist in the assessment of student learning through the utilization of authentic assessment. Support the use of screening and assessment data for classroom planning and individualization. Assist in the input of required child documentation via computer data entry. Assist in the planning, preparing and implementing field trips to community resources (e.g. fire station, police station, grocery store, library) and through classroom visits by community resource people. When conditions do not permit field trips outside of the classroom or classroom visits from community resource people, field trips will be conducted virtually. Establish positive and productive working relationships with parents. Participate in parent visits and parent‑teacher conferences as outlined in program plans. When conditions do not permit in‑person parent visits and/or parent‑teacher conferences, home visits and parent‑teacher conferences will be conducted virtually. Support the recruitment and participation of program volunteers (parent and community volunteers). Assist in the tracking and accurate reporting of volunteer time/In‑kind. Participate in family engagement and program governance (Parent Meeting) activities. Support the recruitment of eligible children for Head Start. Participate in the evaluation of programmatic services through the Self‑Assessment Process. Promote personal growth and development through incorporation of feedback from Educational Coach, supervisory staff, and other specialists/coaches/consultants supported through the program. Identify and meet annual performance and professional development goals. Work collaboratively with SCH Head Start, Geminus Head Start and School City of Hammond departments and staff members. Participate actively and effectively on committees and work teams as assigned. Participate in professional development opportunities. Meet timelines and requirements outlined in procedures and guidelines. Other duties may be assigned. Specific Skills and Knowledge for this position Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, etc. Google Suite (Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Meet, Classroom, etc.) Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards/Head Start Act, State LLEP/Paths to Quality requirements, SCH and SCH Head Start policies and procedures. Knowledge and use of C.P.R., First Aid and Heimlich maneuver. Ability to foster the building of community. Ability to speak clearly, concisely and with proper grammar in written or oral communication. Ability to perform general mathematical computations with accuracy. Ability to solve practical problems with a variety of variables. Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional programming. Qualifications and Education Requirements Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development or enrolled in college coursework toward an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development to be completed within 2 years of hire or Child Development Associate credential (CDA) and enrollment in college coursework toward an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree to be completed within 4 years of hire or agreement to enroll in college coursework toward an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood or Child Development or related field (Elementary Education, Human Development/Services) to be completed within 4 years of hire and agreement to complete a Child Development Associate credential within 1 year of hire or agreement to complete a Child Development Associate credential within 2 years of hire. Experience working with young children, including children with special needs. One year experience in Head Start as Head Start parent or community volunteer preferred. Fluency in speaking and writing Spanish – a plus. Personal Attributes Desired Dependability Confidentiality Professionalism Forward thinking Ability to work independently Ability to work collaboratively Ability to serve a diverse population of students, parents, staff, and community Ability to organize and prioritize Ability to meet assigned deadlines Physical Requirements Candidate should be physically capable of successfully performing the essential functions of the position. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to run; stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee must occasionally push items of 50 lbs. (such as pushing children on a bike or moving/rearranging furniture).

BENEFITS

Health, vision, dental insurance (Single coverage); life insurance, PERF (retirement benefit), 401(a). EEO Statement It is the policy of the School City of Hammond not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its programs or employment policies as required by the Indiana Civil Rights Act (I.C. 22-9.1), Title VI and VII (Civil Rights Act of 1964), the Equal Pay Act of 1973, Title IX (Educational Amendments), and Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973). #J-18808-Ljbffr ReNEW Schools