Assistant Teacher

Save the Children US; Forrest City (AR); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Save the Children in Forrest City, Arkansas, is seeking an Assistant Teacher to support preschool instruction in Head Start classrooms. You will assist the Head Start Teacher with planning activities, supervising children, and maintaining a safe, engaging learning environment aligned with Head Start standards.

The role requires strong English communication, teamwork with families and staff, and adherence to program performance standards.

Qualifications

• CDA or credential meeting CDA requirements.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Familiar with Head Start goals and standards.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Experience collaborating with families and community partners.

Responsibilities

• Engage with children during all activities and supervise learning indoors and outdoors.
• Assist in planning activities with Head Start Teacher to meet individual needs.
• Facilitate classroom projects and field trips with Head Start Teacher.
• Maintain developmentally appropriate classroom management.
• Provide safe, developmentally appropriate learning environments and support children one-on-one and in groups.
• Build strong relationships with families and staff; communicate progress.
• Participate in staff meetings and trainings; assist with record keeping and assessments.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Organizational skills

English proficiency

Education

CDA or state credential

Enrollment in CDA program within 2 years

Tools

Microsoft Office suite

Online client management systems

Job description

Position Title: Assistant Teacher

Employee Type: Full-Time Regular

Supervisor Title: Teacher, Head Start or Center Director

Division: Head Start, U.S. Program

Save the Children

For over 100 years, Save the Children has been fighting for the rights of children. The right to a healthy start in life. To have access to education. To be in a safe environment, protected from harm. We work in some of the world’s hardest-to-reach places – over 100 countries, including the U.S. No matter what your role is, when you join Save the Children, you’re creating positive, irreversible change for children, and the future we all share.

The Role

Assistant Teacher assists in the instruction of preschool-aged children in activities designed to promote social-emotional, physical, and cognitive growth. You will be responsible for assisting the Teacher in the general day-to-day operations of the Head Start classroom. You will assist in creating and nurturing strong partnerships with families and ensuring that instruction is consistent with best practice and of the highest level of quality, in compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards.

As a frontline representative of Save the Children, you are required to ensure the safety and security of children and families that you come into contact with, adhering to the agency’s values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaborations, Creativity and Integrity.

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

• not inclusive of all role responsibilities. May be subject to change
• Engage with children during all activities throughout the day; provide constant supervision of children during all learning activities indoors and outdoors and ensure a safe environment.
• Assist in planning and conducting activities with Head Start Teacher to meet individual needs of children in accordance with the daily schedule.
• Guide and facilitate activities with Head Start Teacher including classroom projects and field trips.
• Maintain classroom management using developmentally appropriate techniques.
• Provide a safe and developmentally appropriate learning environment; interact with children one-on-one and in small groups.
• Build effective relationships within the organization, the children, and their families.
• Protect the safety of children by implementing active supervision techniques to ensure no child is left alone or unsupervised at any time
• Work closely with management to ensure program compliments Head Start Program Performance Standards.
• Serve as a liaison between staff and parents; partner with parents in the education of their children including encouraging classroom involvement and home activities.
• Participate in parent-teacher conferences to discuss children’s individual development and progress.
• Eat with and assist children with eating at mealtime to teach social and self-help skills and sound nutritional practices.
• Assist children in health and personal habits, such as resting, brushing teeth and toilet habits.
• Assist the Head Start Teacher in record keeping; conduct and document observations, assessments and screenings.
• Participate in staff meetings, committees, and training sessions.
• Assist in the mobilization and documentation of matching in-kind activities, goods and services.
• Work may require flexibility to stay until all children have left the program.
• In cooperation with supervisor, develop and document progress on professional development plans.
• Will be required to take the lead in the absence of a teacher.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Child Development Associate (CDA) or credential of a state-awarded certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements for a CDA credential or be enrolled in a CDA credential program to be completed within two years of the time of hire.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English
• Demonstrated knowledge of the purpose of the Head Start/Early Head Start program.
• Demonstrated successful interpersonal, communication and organizational skills; ability to follow directions and take initiative.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate successfully with individuals and teams at all levels, including students, families, coworkers, and community members.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with Head Start Teacher, other staff, parents and community partners in the provision of high-quality services to children and families.
• Proven ability to keep all information on families strictly confidential.
• Professional proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and on-line client management systems.
• Must participate in professional development training including basic first aid and pediatric CPR certification as required by state licensing and HSPPS

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish or English and other languages used by children and families).
• If in North Carolina, holding a Birth-Kindergarten (B-K) Licensure preferred.

Additional Qualifications