Education Support- Fine Arts

Kankakee School District 111; Early (TX); On-site; USD 28,000 - 42,000; Part time

Job summary

Kankakee School District 111 is seeking a Head Start Education Support professional to assist in Fine Arts, Physical Education, and floating substitute roles. The position includes teaching support, documenting progress, and promoting child development in a Head Start setting.

Responsibilities cover lessons, language development, family engagement, and adherence to safety and discipline standards in a 9-month payroll context. A strong background in early childhood education is preferred.

Qualifications

• AA Degree in Child Development or related field is preferred.
• Candidates with ECE Level 4 are encouraged to apply.
• BA in a related field with ECE Level 4 is acceptable.
• Floating Substitutes require the ISBE Short or Long-Term Substitute Certificate.
• Experience in preschool settings is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in carrying out classroom lesson plans/activities.
• Lead and participate in gross motor and music activities.
• Follow daily housekeeping schedules and classroom routines.
• Promote language development and ask open-ended questions.
• Monitor and document progress toward skill mastery.
• Plan activities and engage with families to involve parents.
• Attend staff meetings and training sessions as required.
• Maintain a safe, respectful, and inclusive classroom environment.
• Provide supervision and ensure safety during activities and meals.

Skills

ECE experience

Floating substitute cert

Team collaboration

Experience preferred

Education

AA Degree (Child Development preferred)

AA with ECE Level 4

BA in related field with ECE Level 4

ISBE Short/Long-Term Substitute Certificate

Job description

Position Title

Head Start Education Support - Fine Arts, Physical Education, Floating Substitute, Interventionist

Payroll/Personnel Type

9 Months

Job #

454

Reports To

Director of Early Childhood or Designee

Shift Length

7.25 Hour Day

Union Eligibility

Not Eligible

JOB GOALS

Perform specific duties related to the care and education of children and the operation of the classroom.

QUALIFICATIONS

• AA Degree (Child Development preferred)
• AA with ECE Level 4
• BA in a related field with ECE Level 4
• For Floating Sub - ISBE Short or Long-Term Substitute Certificate is required.
• Experience preferred.

General Performance Responsibilities In Classrooms

• Assist in carrying out the classroom lesson plans/activities.
• Carry out and participate in all gross motor and music activities for the children, as planned by the gross motor and music assistants. Actively participate with the children to develop skills. Sitting or standing in groups for adult conversation is not acceptable.
• Follow a daily schedule of housekeeping, as directed. (wipe tables before and after meals, sweep floor after meals, clean food service surfaces before and after meals)
• Actively participate in greeting children upon arrival, all classroom activities, outdoor play, meals, toileting, hand washing, tooth brushing, field trips, and children's departure.
• Lead small or large group activities as assigned.
• Participate in family-style meals, which includes sharing the same menu as the children, allowing children to help with setting up lunch and cleaning up afterwards, and allowing children to serve themselves, pour their own milk, and pass the serving bowls. During meals, provide appropriate discussion about colors, textures, numbers, sizes, shapes, etc., and model good eating habits and table manners. Any other food or beverages must be eaten outside of the classroom during breaks.
• Assist in observing and documenting progress toward mastery of skills or concepts, as directed.
• Take initiative to individualize with students during free choice/work times.
• Assist in preparing the room and materials before the children arrive daily and on institute days.
• Use time wisely.
• Demonstrate effective student and classroom management techniques, under the direction of the teacher.
• Assist in promoting children's language development by modeling appropriate language, using open-ended questions, using a wide variety of vocabulary words, and expanding language concepts.
• Encourage children to explore, experiment, question, and build concepts.
• Speak to children respectfully, using a tone and volume appropriate for a preschool setting.
• Help maintain orderly arrangement of classroom materials and supplies.
• Assist children during clean-up time to ensure the classroom is ready for the next session.
• Alert the teacher/administration to all suspected cases of child abuse and neglect.
• Assist the teacher in monitoring the condition of equipment and materials and the inventory of supplies.
• Assist in maintaining individual records for each child.
• Help plan activities and methods for keeping parents interested and involved in their child's development and classroom activities.
• Constructively participate in all required staff meetings and training sessions.
• Demonstrate dependability in attendance and punctuality.
• Follow universal precautions to avoid bloodborne pathogen exposure.
• Treat everyone with dignity and respect.
• Follow dress code.
• Provide and ensure appropriate supervision of students at all times.
• Maintain positive and productive relationships with all co-workers and supervisor(s).
• Attend and assist during Education Home Visits, Parent Committee Meetings, and Parent/Teacher Conferences, as scheduled. Bourbonnais, Herscher, and Manteno Education staff must be present at all Parent Committee meetings.
• Perform additional job related duties as assigned.
• Must attend all Staff Meetings and ILT Meetings, as directed.
• Implement the Performance Standards that relate to classroom operations.

Fine Arts Responsibilities

• Prepare and maintain a welcoming STEAM / Fine Arts environment
• Plan and submit weekly lesson plans to provide students with movement activities along with science, technology, engineering, arts, and math learning opportunities
• Utilize the Picturing America as a resource when planning and preparing lessons and the environment
• Plan and practice for special events, e.g., Board meetings, Night at the Museum, Open Houses, etc., when applicable
• Provide breaks for classroom staff and assist with bussing
• Serve as classroom sub if the need arises

Physical Education Responsibilities

• Plan and submit lesson plans that provide instruction and opportunities for developing motor skills and regular exercise.
• Take children outside whenever possible.
• Monitor children's activity closely in order to prevent injury.
• Maintain a neat and orderly gym environment daily
• Ensure the playground and outdoor toys are put away daily
• Provide breaks for classroom staff and assist with bussing
• Serve as classroom sub if the need arises

Floating Substitute Responsibilities

• Floating substitutes must have a reliable vehicle
• Floating substitutes must be prepared to sub at all of our locations: Bonfield, Manteno, YWCA, Proegler, Mark Twain, Steuben, and Bourbonnais (Shepherd and Shabbona)
• Substitute for any vacant position or absence - teacher, paraprofessional, PE, Fine Arts, etc.
• Substitute assignments typically change daily but they can also be long term.

Interventionist Responsibilities

• Must be organized and able to analyze student assessment data
• Must be able to work with preschoolers using appropriate instructional strategies
• Must be able to document work with students daily
• Must be able to work independently
• Must be able to work collaboratively with teachers and other interventionist
• Must be able to establish a working schedule to meet the needs of all assigned students
• Provide breaks for classroom staff and assist with bussing
• Serve as classroom sub if the need arises

Certifications And Training Required

• CPI
• CPR
• First Aid
• Pyramid Training
• Theraplay Training
• Gateway Registry
• Substitute Certification for Floating Substitute

Working Conditions

Frequency Options:

• None
• Occasional (0-15% of time)
• Frequent (16-50% of time)
• Constant (Over 51% of time)

• Scheduled to work approximately 40 hours per week- constant
• Exposure to noise- constant
• Exposure to heights of approximately 3 feet- occasional
• Exposure to temperatures above 90 degrees- occasional
• Exposure to chlorine and other cleaning chemicals- occasional
• Exposure to blood and bodily fluids- frequent
• Exposure to child aggression and other such hazards- occasional
• Exposure to dust- occasional
• Walking a distance of approximately 1-2 miles- constant
• Carrying approximately 30-50 pounds- occasional
• Pushing approximately 50 pounds- occasional
• Lifting approximately 30-50 pounds- occasional
• Climbing approximately 40 steps- occasionalWorking alone or independently- occasional
• Standing- frequent-constant
• Sitting on a child size chair or on the floor- frequent
• Bending- frequent
• Squatting- frequent-constant
• Kneeling- frequent
• Climbing stairs- frequent

Disclaimer

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

Self-affirmation Statement

In connection with hiring for this position, the district shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or national origin.

Equal Opportunity

EOE/AA/D/V