Associate Teacher (Rincon)

MAAC (Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee; Valley Center (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 38,000; Part time

Job summary

MAAC Head Start in RinconCenter – Valley Center, CA is seeking a classroom assistant to support teachers in 3- to 5-year-old classrooms. This role emphasizes learning through structured activities and family engagement.

Under supervision, you will help plan and implement educational activities, assist with curriculum, and ensure a safe environment. A high school diploma and 12 ECE units are required; CDA credential preferred; bilingual abilities are a plus.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 12 units in Early Childhood Education or Child Development.
• California Child Development Associate Permit or CDA credential.
• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides input and assistance into daily classroom activities and lesson plans.
• Assists in designing and implementing classroom activities to meet individual needs.
• Supports curriculum implementation and multicultural education.
• Maintains a safe, healthy, and engaging learning environment.
• Communicates with parents and volunteers to support learning.
• Assists with home visits and development of family plans.
• Performs attendance, meal counts, and classroom maintenance tasks.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Curriculum methods

Teamwork

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Twelve (12) units in ECE or Child Development

California CDA/Child Development Associate Permit or CDA credential

Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred

Job description

Location: RinconCenter- Valley Center, CA

Hourly range: $23.08 - $27.44 DOE/Q,46-week role

MAAC STORY

Since 1965, MAAC has been maximizing self-sufficiency with families and individuals through high-quality programs and advocacy in our communities. MAAC employs dedicated staff who provide life-changing services to thousands of individuals annually through programs in fivecore focus areas: Education, Economic Development, Health & Wellbeing, Housing, and Advocacy & Leadership Development. Through a wide variety of programs, MAAC has grown to become one of the largest nonprofit social service organizations in the community. Learn more about the great things happening with MAAC at http://www.maacproject.org/

DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Head Start (HS) and Early Head Start (EHS) are comprehensive federally funded school-readiness programs for low-income and special needs children that promote parents as the primary educator of the child. MAAC currently serves a diverse group of low-income children and their families in North County; the majority of the participating families are of Latino/Hispanic ethnicity. These programs ensure that children ages 0-3 (EHS) and 3-5 (HS) and their families are provided with comprehensive services to promote optimum physical, cognitive, social and emotional growth. MAAC’s California State Preschool program provides educational and developmental services to qualifying children ages 3 to 5; parents are encouraged to participate with their children and to be involved in their children’s development.

DEFINITION

Under direct supervision, and the appointed guidance of the Lead Teacher, will assist in planning, supervising, and implementing the education program within the classroom in accordance with the policies, procedures, and philosophy of MAAC Head Start.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

• Provides input and assistance into daily classroom activities and lesson plans
• Assists in designing and implementing classroom activities to meet the needs of the individual child
• Assists in implementing the approved curriculum and multi-cultural education
• Assists with classroom arrangement and related physical requirements to provide a safe, healthy, interesting, and enjoyable learning environment
• Develops and maintains an open, friendly, and informative relationship with parents and volunteers
• Assists in the interpretation and explanation of Head Start policies, programs, and principles
• Records individual children’s behavior and observations on appropriate record keeping forms
• Provides experiences for growing and learning for the individual child in relationship to his/her cultural and socioeconomic background
• Performs accurate numerical counts, such as attendance and meal counts
• Assists in maintaining classroom cleanliness; assists in set-up and maintenance of the classroom lunch area; assists in laundry and other maintenance; supervises children on bus as needed
• Assists in home visits at times convenient to the parent(s); assists in developing an Individual Family Plan for each child and family beginning at time of enrollment (phase-in) and updating it at least three times in the school year
• Attends mandated training programs, conferences, meetings
• Ensures personalized special services are provided to special needs children (i.e., feeding, assistance with toileting, including diapering, catheterization, training, urine bags, physically carrying the child – specialized training and equipment will be provided as needed)
• Assists in the development of individual education plans and teaching
• Provides an environment that facilitates growth and positive self-image for children
• Performs other related duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Knowledge of:

• Development and developmental patterns of children ages 3-5 years
• Oral and written English and grammar; basic arithmetic; developmental needs and requirements of preschool age children; methods and techniques of early childhood development; health, safety and nutritional requirements of preschool age children; methods for effective cooperation with teachers children, and parents; general goals and purposes of early childhood education and family development
• Head Start philosophy, principles, and comprehensive services preferred

Ability to:

• Learn and apply curriculum methods and procedures at MAAC Head Start; project a mature, constructive, stable and healthy team attitude in a learning environment
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/CERTIFICATION

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Twelve (12) units (including core units) from an accredited college/university in Early Childhood Education OR Child Development
• California Child Development Associate Teacher Permit or California Child Development Associate (CDA) credential
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred

1st Preferred Experience Requirement:

• One (1) year Head Start experience with children in a classroom setting

2nd Preferred Experience Requirement:

• One (1) year preschool experience with children in a classroom setting

AND

• Valid CPR, First Aid and Food Handlers Cards must be obtained within first two months (2) of employment and maintained throughout employment (paid, designated training available through MAAC). In the event employees do not attend the scheduled training, they must obtain the cards through outside resources and costs will not be reimbursed. The cards must be obtained and maintained within prescribed timelines.

Note: Submission of transcripts, certificates, diplomas, verification of work experience may be required for certain positions.

VALUE-BASED BEHAVIORS

• Listens attentively to others. Asks clarifying questions to gain a better understanding of the other person’s views and underlying assumptions
• Works effectively in a team environment and actively participates in joint problem solving; willingly cooperates with co-workers
• Identifies and takes advantage of opportunities for personal and professional development
• Attends work consistently and punctually. Arrives to meetings prepared and on time; honors work commitments; follows through on what was agreed upon; meets deadlines
• Honors the private and confidential matters of co-workers. Protects the proprietary information of MAAC systems
• Follows rules, regulations, and policies; positively contributes to implementing changes
• Deals with issues directly, in a respectful and timely manner. Focuses on resolving the issue while not criticizing the person. Follows rules, regulations, and policies; positively contributes to implementing changes

HEALTH STATUS

Must have a physical examination, TB clearance and a drug screen by a doctor/clinic designated by MAAC as well as immunization records for influenza*, pertussis and measles as required by state and federal regulations prior to the first day of employment.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this class, an employee is regularly required to stand, walk and sit, talk or hear both in person and by telephone, uses hands to finger, handle or feel objects or controls, reach with hands and arms. An employee also is regularly required to stoop, kneel, bend, crouch or crawl, climb or balance and lift up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret information; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret people and situations; use basic math; learn and apply new information or skills; work under intensive deadlines and interact with MAAC management, administrators, staff, teachers, parents, family members, children and others encountered in the course of work.

BACKGROUND CLEARANCE

All positions are subject to a background/education check, DMV check, NSOR, exclusion and debarment checks prior to hire and periodically throughout employment as required by various funding sources.

Note: California Start law requires background criminal checks on anyone who works in a licensed childcare facility who is not a client. Must have or obtain a current criminal background check clearance, signed criminal record statement, and signed Acknowledgement to Report Child Abuse form prior to the first day of employment.

TRANSPORTATION

Must have and maintain a valid California Driver’s License, daily use of a personal, insured vehicle, and have and maintain a motor vehicle driving record acceptable to MAAC’s insurance carrier. Incumbents will be enrolled in the California DMV Pull Program.