Summary of Duties: This position provides assistance to the Center Teacher, students and parents within the Head Start/GSRP Program and provides for the creation and delivery of developmentally appropriate educational activities to child and parent. Duties include assistance in: creating and implementing educational, developmentally appropriate curriculum; achieving progress toward school readiness goals; classroom management; parent interaction; maintenance of records and self development through an individualized professional development plan.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Other duties may be assigned.
Child Growth and Development:
- Promote the child’s development in the cognitive, social-emotional, and physical domains with an emphasis in language, social competence, ethnic and disability awareness; as well as health, safety and nutrition;
- Utilize and model positive behavior management techniques, support a consistent routine, and implement activities that support social emotional development; with particular focus on socio-emotional skills at program start-up;
- Support and enhance children’s growth and development through continuous improvement based on information derived from CLASS in the areas of emotional support, classroom organization, and instructional support emphasizing teacher-child interactions;
- Support the Teacher to ensure children are making progress toward achieving School Readiness Goals;
- Use the CSEFEL framework to guide program practices to meet the needs of all children enrolled in the program;
- As needed, ensure Positive Behavior Support Plans and Special Services Goals & Transition Plans are implemented to fidelity for children who need additional support to be successful in the classroom.
Learning Environment and Curriculum:
- Assist in the design, preparation, and implementation of curriculum and developmentally appropriate, outcome-based activities in all areas of development for children; assist in the selection and arrangement of materials for the learning environment;
- Develop lesson plans allowing input from program team and parents; at minimum, one week per month;
- Implement lesson plans which enhance the child’s cognitive, social-emotional, and physical domains with an emphasis in language, literacy, math and science; including individualized skills for children;
- Help develop, maintain and enhance a positive, healthy and low stress environment in the classroom;
- Assist in building children’s pride in their cultures, families, and communities by ensuring that classroom learning centers and materials reflect children’s cultures and communities;
- Assist Teacher in ensuring Creative Curriculum is implemented to
Child Observation, Record-Keeping and Assessment:
- Maintain all required child records and program paperwork as assigned by the supervisor;
- Demonstrate ability to utilize data gained from assessment tools, observation, and TS Gold reports to plan skill building and individualization;
- Conduct on-going observation and assessment of all children; assist with entering progress notes in to TS Gold;
- Document case notes and other required information in ChildPlus as
Child Health, Safety, and Nutrition:
- Assist in the initial and daily management and maintenance of the physical classroom, building and grounds to ensure a safe, orderly and clean environment;
- Share in the overall management and programming of site which may include: mentor a new teacher as In the absence of the teacher, assume all management responsibilities in accordance with licensing requirements;
- Perform duties of teacher at least four (4) days per month as arranged with supervisor; complete assigned paperwork;
- Assist in proper use and ongoing maintenance of the equipment and program site;
- Build children’s awareness of and ability to follow basic health and safety rules by providing opportunities for learning about health and safety, positively redirecting them from potentially harmful activities. SUPERVISE CHILDREN AT ALL TIMES ensuring no child is left unattended;
- Promote an awareness and development of healthy lifestyles in children and families through physical activity, healthy food choices and positive eating habits.
Family and Community Relationships:
- Assist parents in planning and implementing home activities appropriate for the individual child’s specific developmental needs as reflecting in TS Gold reports;
- Assist in completing home visits and parent teacher conferences as assigned;
- Assist teacher in assuring parent/community participation in an effort to obtain and document in-kind to reach non- federal share target;
- Participate in on-going communication with families including the development of communication tools in coordination with teacher – i.e. newsletters, notes, etc;
- Support and encourage parents’ involvement in all program activities through attendance at center meetings, conferences/home visits, participation in program activities and in learning activities designed for use with children;
- Act as a program/child advocate by maintaining a positive image of Head Start/GSRP at all times and places;
- Seek out and use all opportunities to promote Head Start/GSRP in the local community;
- Work in cooperation with parents and other program staff to meet all program requirements;
- Maintain ongoing cooperation with agencies and local school districts providing services to Head Start/GSRP families;
- Promote Head Start/GSRP by participating with other team members in program and community activities;
- Assist in facilitating transitions to or from Head Start/GSRP by engaging families, program staff, and members of the community in planning and implementing strategies that ensure successful transitions, including the transfer of child records;
- When requested, actively participate in Resource Staffing, reflective/case consultations; completing necessary referrals and team assignments to ensure services to all families.
Other:
- Attend all local and area staff meetings/trainings, orientation, pre-service, in-service, and other required trainings;
- Pursue goals through an individually designed professional development plan;
- Maintain confidentiality and Code of Conduct at all times;
- For GSRP or GSRP blended programs support goals outlined on the GSRP Feedback Form (Improvement Plan) based off the PQA observation tool and agreed upon with the ECS serving the program.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and Experience:
Associate degree (AA) in early childhood education or child development or equivalent; or a valid classroom CDA credential.
