SUMMARY:

The Head Start Teacher Assistant reports to the Teacher and assists in providing services to the children ages 3-5 years in the Head Start Program.

The Teacher Assistant is responsible for assisting the teacher with program planning and daily supervision of an assigned group of children (17-20) ages 3-5 years. Duties involves performing developmentally appropriate activities related to the social, physical, intellectual and emotional development of children. Work is performed under the guidance of the Teacher and is reviewed through monitoring, conferences and evaluation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Include the following:

• Assist the teacher in the interaction of children in the classroom in order to aid in the educational, social, and motional development of children by helping the teacher prepare lesson plans and design learning activities.
• Assist the teacher in the implementation of the curriculum.
• Observes children daily and records child outcomes data on Teaching Strategies Gold ongoing assessment only system when needed.
• Assist with supervision of children in classroom, playground, restrooms and all other activities.
• Assist the teacher in the daily observation and evaluation of the cognitive, social, physical and educational development of children.
• Assist the teacher in providing social and learning experiences during family-style meal service and assist with mealtime clean up. Maintains accurate attendance and meal records.
• Assist teacher in observation and recording of children?s behavior.
• Assist with individualization of children.
• Ensures safety of children by performing safety checks, facility checks (indoor and outdoor).
• Assist the teacher in the selection and design of educational materials to enhance and improve the classroom and training of children.
• Prepares materials for learning centers and maintains teaching materials, equipment and supplies.
• Assist with home visits in order to encourage active parental participation in the Agency?s program; to inform parents of the educational needs of their child(ren); and to inform parents of learning activities that may be conducted in the home.
• Provides immediate supervision of classroom activities in the absence of the teacher.
• Reports suspected child abuse/neglect situations.
• Work with parents and volunteers under the direction of the teacher. Assist in recruiting volunteers.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings when required. Attends required trainings, meetings and conferences to keep abreast of educational trends and enhance knowledge.
• Serves as a bus monitor as needed. Assists with loading and unloading of children from buses.
• Collects in-kind contributions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• None