Head Start Assistant Teacher - Preschool

Clackamas County Children's Commission; Wilsonville (OR); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Clackamas County Children's Commission is seeking an assistant to support Head Start services for low income and special needs children in Wilsonville, Oregon. You will assist the teacher with lesson planning, assessments, and creating a safe, developmentally appropriate classroom.

Under supervision, you will help with materials, family engagement events, and developmental screenings, while maintaining records. A CDA or higher in Early Childhood Education is preferred, with classroom experience.

Qualifications

• CDA or higher in Early Childhood Education preferred.
• Experience in an early childhood education classroom or certified childcare center preferred.
• Oregon Food Handler’s Card required or able to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Assist teacher with assessments and individualizations.
• Design and implement daily lesson plans.
• Set up and maintain developmentally appropriate classroom environment.
• Maintain classroom records (observations, lesson plans, attendance).
• Supervise children in classroom and ensure safety.
• Use PBIS approach to guide children.
• Greet children and escort to classroom.
• Prepare and gather instructional materials under teacher direction.
• Participate in parent Open House and monthly meetings.
• Conduct developmental screenings as requested.

Skills

Low income children

Special needs awareness

Positive Behavior Support (PBIS)

Team collaboration

Safety vigilance

Driver's license / transportation

First Aid/CPR readiness

Education

CDA

Associates or higher in Early Childhood Education

Experience in early childhood education classroom

Job description

Description

GENERAL OBJECTIVE: Assist the classroom Teacher in providing Head Start educational services to selected low income and special needs children and their parents.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assist teacher with:
• assessments and individualizations.
• design and implementation of the daily lesson plan within the classroom.
• setting up and maintaining a developmentally appropriate classroom environment
• maintaining records relating to the classroom, such as child observation notes, lesson plan notes, and/or attendance.
• Consistently follows all aspects of the Procedures for Bus Safely Protocol.
• Ensure a safe environment for children and provide continuous supervision for all children.
• Uses a Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) approach in directing and guiding children.
• Greet children and escort them to the classroom
• Under the direction of the teacher, prepare and gather materials for instructional purposes.
• In consultation with team members, participates in parent Open House during startup of each year.
• Attend and provide childcare at monthly parent meetings.
• Perform developmental screenings as requested.

ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS:

Program Participation and Team Member:

• Arrive to work on time; punctually attend and actively participate in all required activities, meetings, and trainings.
• Be a respectful, cooperative, and reliable team member and participant in program activities.
• Project a professional work image, both in dress and manner.
• Be familiar with, and adhere to, position-related policies and procedures as well as the program’s overarching objectives.

Code of Conduct:

Perform all work in compliance with the Clackamas County Children’s Commission Code of Conduct

Confidentiality:

Respect and maintain confidentiality of information regarding enrolled children and families, personnel issues, and other program operations as appropriate.

Training:

In consultation with supervisor, develop professional work goals and training plan. Participate in training as requested.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Child Development Associate (CDA); Associates or higher degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field preferred; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in an early childhood education classroom, certified childcare center, or comparable group care program.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work effectively with low income and special needs children.
• Ability to positively interact with families of various cultural and socio-economic backgrounds
• Ability to use a positive approach in directing and redirecting child behavior
• Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a team.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a current Oregon Food Handler’s Card
• Ability to possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and insured vehicle available for use on the job (or have alternative transportation).
• Ability to possess and maintain compliance with State of Oregon Criminal Background Registry.
• Ability to possess and maintain current First Aid/CPR certification.

Working Conditions:

• Work with physically active infants/toddlers for one or two class periods per day (each class period is 3.5-7.5 hours) and during meal periods
• Extensive standing, walking
• Moderate sitting, kneeling, bending