Head Start Assistant Teacher - Full-Time with Benefits

Community Action Agencies; Albion Township (MI); On-site; USD 25,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Action Agency South Central Michigan in Albion, MI is seeking a Head Start Assistant Teacher to support classroom operations and family engagement. You will assist in developing lesson plans based on DAP, Creative Curriculum and HSPPS to promote children's social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.

The role requires a CDA credential in Preschool (or equivalent); a preferred Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education. Prior preschool classroom experience is welcomed.

Qualifications

• Required: Minimum of a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential in Preschool, or equivalent.
• Preferred: Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field.
• Experience: One year classroom experience preferred in preschool-aged settings.

Responsibilities

• Assist and support in the orientation and training of classroom paraprofessionals and substitutes.
• Assist in delegating responsibilities to classroom paraprofessionals, parents, and volunteers.
• Assist in developing lesson plans reflecting DAP, Creative Curriculum and HSPPS to promote children's development.
• Assist in establishing goals including parent involvement and individual plans.
• Assist Lead Teacher in lesson planning in-person or virtual settings.
• Maintain records and data entry in Child Plus System.
• Collaborate with special needs staff to meet Individual Education Plans.
• Communicate with families in coordination with the Lead Teacher.
• Provide direct supervision of children and support family communications.
• Recruit children and families to HS/EHS/GSRP programs.
• Assess individual and group needs and refer as appropriate.
• Attend family meetings and orientations.
• Complete duties per bi-annual evaluations and observed performance.

Skills

Supervision

Safe environment

Family communication

Education

CDA Preschool credential

Associates Degree in ECE

Job description

Community Action Agency South Central Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer (Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans). To read more about this, view the EEO - Know Your Rights poster.

Head Start Assistant Teacher - Full-Time with Benefits

Job Code: 2026-ALBION-003

Location: Albion, MI

Department: Assistant Teacher

FT/PT Status: Full Time

Pay Range($): $17.96-$18.34

Job Responsibilities:

Assist and support in the orientation and training of the classroom paraprofessionals and substitutes.

Assist in delegating responsibilities to classroom paraprofessionals, parents, and volunteers.

Assist in developing lesson plans, based on Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP), Creative Curriculum and HSPPS, that reflect parental and cultural influences, and promote the children's social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development

Assist in establishing goals which promote individual and group educational plans and include parent involvement.

Assist Lead Teacher in lesson planning in an in-person and/or virtual learning setting/platform.

Assist in maintaining accurate written records; including but not limited to: assessments, screening instruments, and anecdotal observations and portfolios. In addition, assist in data entry in Child Plus System.

Assist in working in collaboration with special needs staff to meet children's needs as specified on the Individual Education Plan.

Assist in communication with families in coordination with the Lead Teacher.

Provide direct supervision of children.

Assist other classroom staff in providing a variety of ways to ensure frequent and consistent contacts with families, such as newsletters, telephone contacts and face to face conversations.

Assist in the recruitment of children and families to our HS/EHS/GSRP programs.

Assist with assessing individual children and group needs, and make appropriate referrals.

Assist with required regular home visits and conferences.

Attend family meetings and orientations.

Carry out duties and training requirements as identified in bi-annual performance evaluations and/or through classroom observations conducted by supervisor or other management staff.

Comply with Agency's Mission, Vision and Culture statements.

Comply with program and Agency policies and procedures.

Engage with children and families

Assist in preparing classroom materials to support lesson plans and the curriculum.

Follow a consistent schedule, which includes small and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, skill development, and effective transition between activities.

Develop relationships with children, families, and other staff to ensure continuity and consistency during the child's enrollment in HS.

May function as the Lead Teacher in his or her absence.

Responsible to keep assigned work area or classroom clean and assist in facility checks and miscellaneous housekeeping duties as assigned by direct supervisor.

Support the sharing of information regarding child progress with team members, gather information on home issues and make referrals for emergency family support.

Physical Requirements:

• Hold a valid driver's license and maintain a satisfactory driver's record.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk, bend, stoop and kneel, see andhear, use hands and arms to lift up to 60 lbs. and walk around the classroom, outdoor play areaand school facilities.
• Work is performed in a classroom setting and school environment where the noise level is moderate to high.
• Be able to with stand different temperatures through the winter, spring, summer, and fall to be able to provide supervision and engagement with children in outside play per program temperature guidelines.
• Work is performed in a classroom setting and school environment where the noise level is moderate. The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications & Education:

Required: Minimum of a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential in Preschool, or equivalent.

Preferred: Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field

Experience: Demonstrated ability to supervise and ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for children.A minimum of one-year classroom experience working with preschool-aged children is preferred.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must pass a criminal background investigation upon hire and every five years and/or as needed, including fingerprinting.
• Pass a physical examination upon hire.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification (will train).
• Ongoing professional development and annual training hours as required by the program and/or department director. These may be scheduled outside of regular work hours to accommodate program needs.