Head Start Assistant Teacher

Lorain County Community Action Agency; Elyria (OH); On-site; USD 21,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Short-term disability

Job summary

Lorain County Community Action Agency seeks a Head Start Assistant Teacher to support preschool children’s academic and social–emotional growth in Lorain, Ohio. You will collaborate with the Head Teacher to engage families, ensure compliance with Head Start standards, and promote an inclusive classroom environment.

The role requires a high school diploma or related credential, with CDA credential possible within 18 months.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or related credential required; CDA credential within 18 months of hire will be considered if no credential.
• Strong communication with parents/guardians and ability to follow Head Start policies.

Responsibilities

• Assist Head Teacher with daily instructional activities and classroom management.
• Administer screenings to help determine children's developmental levels and needs.
• Assist with recruitment of children into Head Start and coordinate related functions.
• Attend trainings and meetings to maintain professional competence and participate in committees.
• Maintain and promote excellent service through open and honest working relationships.

Skills

Time management

Communication

Collaboration

Cultural competency

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma with related credential

Job description

About the Organization Lorain County Community Action Agency is a non-profit organization whose mission is to serve and empower Lorain County residents in need.

EOE Statement Lorain County Community Action Agency is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our application forms are designed to obtain an applicant's skills, knowledge and abilities based on specific job requirements. Questions are designed to elicit enough data for us to determine an applicant's abilities to successfully perform the job for which she/he is applying. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Category

Head Start

Position

Head Start Assistant Teacher

Contract

Full-Time

Description

Full-time; Part-year Position: The Head Start Assistant Teacher works collegially with head teacher and is responsible for the academic, social-emotional growth and development of all preschool children in their care. The Assistant teacher develops partnerships with parents/guardians to engage, encourages parent participation in the program and assures compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, ODJFS Child Care licensing rules and regulations, and Step Up to Quality program standards. A high school diploma and related credential required (those without credential but have at least 1 year direct experience with preschool children and are willing/able to enroll and obtain the CDA credential, at Agency's expense, within 18 months of hire will be considered; continued employment contingent on earning the credential).Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Competitive wages and benefits, include:

• Hourly Starting Wage: $15.00-$16.00 (depending on credential)
• Benefits: Health, Vision, Dental Insurance; Paid Time Off (accrued); Vacation (accrued); Paid Holidays, Short-term Disability and FMLA; Life Insurance; Retirement plan; Tuition Assistance/Employee Development

LCCAA is an agency receiving federal funding; therefore, falling into current federal COVID mandates. Successful candidates must be fully vaccinated by first day of employment and masking is required in classrooms and common areas.

Position Requirements

LCCAA is an agency receiving federal funding; therefore, falling into federal COVID mandates.

• As a condition of employment, all LCCAA employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless a medical or religious exemption is approved.
• Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen.
• Final candidates must be fully vaccinated as of their first day of employment.
• Verification of vaccination is provided to LCCAA by presentation of a valid COVID-19 vaccination card.

Summary of Work Activities/Tasks/Responsibilities:

ASSISTS the Head Teacher with the following:

• Abide by applicable Agency rules and regulations.
• Administer screenings to help determine children's developmental levels, needs, and potential.
• Assists with recruitment of children into Head Start, coordinates, and participates in all related functions.
• Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, or teacher training workshops to maintain or improve professional competence. Serve on committees as required.
• Maintain and promote excellence in service through open and honest working relationships.
• Control the inventory or distribution of classroom equipment, materials, or supplies.
• Create weekly lesson plans addressing individual goals for children following established curriculum which reflect mandated elements and components, parental and cultural influences, and
• promote the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of Head Start children.
• Demonstrate cultural competency and respect for the children’s background by incorporating the culture, linguistic and familial values and beliefs into the program and lesson plans.
• Develop or implement strategies to meet the needs of children with disabilities.
• Ensure adherence to good safety procedures.
• Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
• Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to children.
• Follow a consistent schedule, which includes small and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, skill development, meals, and effective transitions between activities.
• Maintain complete and accurate required family/child files, forms, and records within required timelines to document and track children in assigned classroom.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercises good judgment concerning confidential information.
• Maintain liaison with parents/guardians through conferences (two a year), home visits (two a year) and communication and other opportunities such that parents and guardians are informed of their children's progress and needs and the learning and development priorities identified for their children.
• Maintain Ohio Professional Development Registry Profile.
• Maintain regular job attendance and adherence to working hours.
• Make referrals to Disabilities Manager as appropriate, based on screening results, observations, or family concerns.
• Must attend all in-service training, pre-service training and workshops provided by the program.
• Organize and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental, and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, storytelling, and field trips.
• Practice active supervision of all children in care.
• Prepare home teaching lessons to share with the families and track volunteer hours.
• Promote and teach children about proper eating habits and personal hygiene.
• Responsible for meal implementation with other staff and for maintaining a developmentally appropriate classroom environment, including organization of space and material storage
• Serve meals and snacks in accordance with nutritional guidelines.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to analyze a situation by gathering and organizing information and recommend potential solutions.
• Ability to be punctual in reporting to work and in the completion of assigned duties. Meeting stated commitments.
• Ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• Ability to effectively manages one’s time to ensure work is completed effectively; coordinates own time in conjunction with others to avoid conflicts; leverages available resources to maximum efficiency.
• Ability to interact with others in a way that inspires trust, confidence, and integrity.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality and security of sensitive records, reports, and correspondence.
• Ability to read, interpret, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to situationally conduct oneself such that relationship-building and collaboration are fostered, and the image of the agency is enhanced.
• Ability to utilize novel ways to solve work problems; think creatively and expansively to develop new ideas; view situation from multiple perspectives to target several opportunities for a resolution.
• Handle complaints and resolve issues and conflicts, and constructively interact with others.
• Knowledge of child safety and injury prevention for children aged birth to five.
• Knowledge of collaborative and strengths-based approaches that build positive and goal-oriented relationships with parents and guardians.
• Knowledge of electronic equipment and computer technology sufficient to understand and use office and classroom equipment and technology with basic instruction.
• Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• Knowledge of the general principles of child growth and development, parenting skills and techniques.
• Knowledge of the Head Start and/or Early Head Start Programs or of early childhood education or daycare services.
• Knowledge of work appropriate attitudes and behaviors, the importance and methods of safeguarding personal and organizational reputations, and personal accountabilities in a work environment.
• Operating and driving vehicles safely.
• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to enter data or process information.
• Using digital resources provided, including online productivity tools, e-learning, online reference sources, video-streaming sites, and interactive whiteboards for instruction and completing work.

Education & Experience Requirements:

• High school diploma and related credential required; all related education considered. Those without a related credential but have 1 year experience working directly with preschool childrenand are willing/able to enroll and obtain a CDA credential, at Agency's expense, within 18 months of hire will be considered; successfully obtaining the CDA credential within the 18 months is a condition for continued employment.
• 1 year of experience with children and families; all related experience considered.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift, climb, stoop, sit, bend over, hear and see (corrected or uncorrected), reach above horizontal plane, speak and be understood to meet the needs of young children in a classroom and early learning settings.
• Ability to see to monitor child safety.
• Ability to see, hear and speak with/without assistive devices sufficient to communicate effectively with others.
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time while caring for young children.
• Ability to walk and/or stand for extended periods of time in classroom and early learning settings.
• Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Other Requirements:

• Bi-Lingual (dual-language classrooms only)
• Fingerprint submission for criminal background check as a condition of employment.
• Physical at hire.
• Pre-employment drug test as a condition of employment.
• Proof of education and credential (copy of credential certificate, official college transcripts, copy of diploma, etc.).
• Valid driver’s license.

Location: Lorain, Ohio

Contract: Full-Time

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Salary: Hourly Starting Wage: $15.00-$16.00 (depending on credential)