Head Start - Assistant Teacher

A. GENERAL SUMMARY OF WHAT THE POSITION DOESThis position works as a part of a teaching team to work as a partner with theteacher/lead teacher in developing activities for preschool (Head Start) children toprovide them with varied experiences and an appropriate learning environment.Works with typically developing children and children with disabilities. Assistance isgiven to the teacher in carrying out the goals, policies, and activities designed toimplement educational objectives and performance standards. This position workswith families to promote parent involvement in the program. This position may beassigned additional duties based upon program need and areas of developingexpertise. This position works along with the teacher/head teacher to attain the goalsof the program. The position may be reassigned to various classrooms/centers asdeemed necessary for program operations.B. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITIONDuties of the position are described in major functional areas listed below. Additionalduties may be assigned.EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC JOB DUTIESPreschool Classroom ActivitiesAssists the teacher in all classroom activities, field trips and outdoor activitiesincluding lesson plans.Assists in developing materials and providing activities related to the culturalbackground of the children and families served.Participates in the screening, observation and documentation of children.Helps supervise at mealtime, eating with the children to encourage goodnutrition and proper social skills.Helps keep the classroom and its contents clean and orderly.Is familiar with each child and parent.Uses initiative and imagination to assist the child and be perceptive andknowledgeable about the needs of each child.Assists the teacher in any aspect of the program as the need arises.Takes charge of the class in the teacher's absence.Makes home visits with the teacher as required or requested and documentsthem as requested.Parent/Family Involvement And Community RelationsAssists the teacher in meeting the program's needs for parent/family involvementin each classroom.Establishes a relationship of trust and rapport with the families of the children.Communicates with families to facilitate positive interaction with the program,awareness of the child’s needs and development, how the activities of theprogram promote positive development and their roles in the child’s overalleducation and development.Participates in the training of families as requested.Involves parents/families in the educational activities of the program:to emphasize their role as the principal influence on the child's education anddevelopment; andto assist parents/families to increase their knowledge, understanding, skills andexperience in basic child development.Assists with identifying and arranging for parents to volunteer in the classroom asvolunteers and substitutes.Assists the teacher with collecting monthly in-kind records from parents andcommunity members participating in the program.Assists with the supervision of all assigned volunteers in the classroom.EXAMPLES OF GENERAL JOB ACTIVITIESUnderstands, generates and documents in-kind and other allowable costs appliedtoward the non-federal share requirement.Attends all workshops and meetings as deemed necessary by the immediate supervisor.Attends all required staff and parent meetings and activities.Responsible for understanding Head Start Performance Standards and local child carelicensing regulations.Expected to be knowledgeable of the regulations associated with prevention ofoccupational disease and injury, including the exercise of universal precautions and theprevention of contamination.Positively promotes Head Start in the community.Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start Head Start children,families and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.Becomes thoroughly familiar with Meriden YMCA Employee Handbook, Meriden YMCAOperations Manual and all other Meriden YMCA handbooks, manuals and resources andadheres to them.PERFORMS OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNEDC. SUPERVISION EXERCISEDImmediate supervision means those employees the position assigns, directs and evaluates.Positions Supervised: Head TeacherD. PERSONAL CONTACTSMajor internal and external contacts.Internal ExternalSee Organizational Chart Head Start Parents - as neededCommunity Partners - as neededE. DECISIONS AND COMMITMENTSThis section will describe the kinds and impact of decisions and commitments;the effects, influence and significance of these decisions; the consequence oferror and the limitation of the finality of decision-making.Decisions and commitments involving the education program are very important andaffect the children and continued funding of the programs. Following the guidelines andthe regulations of the program are of the utmost importance to ensuring quality servicesfor the children and families.Supervisor decisions regarding staff are important to ensure compliance with theagency Personnel Policies and Procedures, to ensure good management, andprotect the employee rights.F. SUPERVISION RECEIVEDThe job description and the content area work plan serve as a guideline. Assistanceis received from other agency staff as needed. Outside assistance can be receivedfrom other related resources. Head Start Head Start effectively uses the teamworkapproach. All content areas are interwoven so as to better assist and supportfamilies. The immediate supervisor is responsible for appraisals of this position.This position receives content area supervision and technical assistance fromprogram supervisor, specialist, coordinator and/or managers.G. KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIESKnowledge: Knowledge of the basics of working with preschool children. Knowledgeof the purpose of the Head Start program. Knowledge of local resources, customs andlanguages helpful.Abilities: Ability to relate sensitively with children and to work well with staff, parents andfamilies. Ability to follow directions and take initiative. Ability to keep all informationregarding families strictly confidential. Ability to communicate effectively with children,families and staff. Ability to work with typically developing children and children withdisabilities.LANGUAGE SKILLSAbility to communicate both written and orally.Ability to follow directions from both written and oral instructions.Ability to read and comprehend instructions, short correspondence and memos.Ability to write simple correspondence.Ability to communicate with families and children in a positive and helpful manner.Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from community.Some Bilingual fluency (English/Spanish or English and other languages presentin the local area).MATHEMATICAL SKILLSAbility to add, subtract, multiply and divide.REASONING SKILLSAbility to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished inwritten or oral form.Ability to maintain confidentiality.OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIESAbility to exhibit patience and tact when communicating with children, families,staff, management, referral sources and the public.Ability to project professionalism in conducting daily activities.H. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCEMinimum requirement is high school diploma or GED plus some experience workingwith preschool children. A current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential ispreferred.By September 30, 2013 the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007mandates that anyone holding the position of Assistant Teacher have, as a minimumrequirement, one of the following:A current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential;Be enrolled in a CDA credential program to be completed within two yearsof being hired into the position;An associate or baccalaureate degree (in any area); orBe enrolled in a program leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree.If applicable federal, state or local Head Start or child care regulations, now or asamended in the future, contain additional requirements or qualifications for this positionwhich are not specifically stated in this Job Description, the requirements andqualifications will apply, even if not specifically set forth in this Job Description.Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish or English and other languages present in thelocal area). Within 90 days of employment, must obtain and continually maintainbasic first aid and pediatric CPR certification (or sooner if required by local/stateregulations). Acceptable tuberculosis screening results, a clear criminal recordscheck (including child abuse registry check if required by state regulations) and aninitial health exam are required post job offer and prior to employment.Current and former Head Start parents will receive preference foremployment vacancies for which they are qualified.I. PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONSOccasional need to provide gentle physical restraint to children.Must be able to lift up to 45 pounds.Some exposure to communicable diseases.Noise level in work environment may be moderate to loud.Travel by car, bus, airplane or train may also be required associated withattendance at conferences, meetings and other duties carried out at distantlocations in and out of state and in some cases where some overnight travel maybe required.Work is typically performed in a classroom setting and some office work required.Some evenings and weekend work may occasionally be required for eventssuch as home visits, parent teacher conferences, Parent Committee meetings,social and community events.The requirements of your Job Description are important in providing services tochildren and families, and for keeping you, children and co-workers safe during thework day. If you are unable to perform any of the functions required in your jobdescription due to a disability, you are invited to direct any requests foraccommodation to the Program Director. #J-18808-Ljbffr Meriden New Britain Berlin Young Mens