Head Start Teacher Assistant

STEP, Inc.; Muncy (Lycoming County); On-site; USD 21,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible health insurance options

Agency-paid dental, vision, and life

403(b) retirement with employer match

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

PTO and long-term sick leave

Optional flexible benefits

Job summary

STEP, Inc. in Lycoming County invites applicants for a Teacher Assistant in the Head Start Program. You will support children’s development across social, emotional, language and physical areas, with family partnerships at the core.

We offer a school-year calendar, a full-time schedule with 8-hour days, and an hourly pay rate of $18.09. Bilingual skills are a plus; CDA within two years is encouraged.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED plus CDA within two years of hire.
• Associate degree preferred for the role.
• Bilingual English–Spanish desirable is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Create a welcoming, safe, and stimulating learning environment.
• Build positive relationships with children and support social-emotional growth.
• Assist with developmentally appropriate learning activities.
• Encourage independence, self-help skills, and positive behavior.
• Support health, nutrition, and daily care routines.
• Collaborate with families to foster home-school success.
• Maintain an organized, clean, responsive classroom.
• Observe and document each child's development.
• Step into leadership when the teacher is unavailable.

Skills

Patience

Flexibility

Creativity

Team-oriented

Strong communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree preferred

CD A within 2 years

Job description

Teacher Assistant - Head Start Program

Help Shape Young Minds Every Day

Do you have a passion for working with young children and helping them build a strong foundation for lifelong learning? Join our Head Start team as a Teacher Assistant and play an important role in creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging classroom where children can learn, grow, and thrive. This position supports children's social, emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development through meaningful interactions, individualized learning experiences, and strong family partnerships.

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PAY RATE: $18.09 per hour

Full-time, school-year calendar -- 8 hours x 190 days (summers off!)

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What You'll Do

As a Teacher Assistant, you will partner with the classroom teacher to:

• Create a welcoming, safe, and stimulating learning environment
• Build positive relationships with children and support their social-emotional growth
• Assist with engaging, developmentally appropriate learning activities
• Encourage independence, self-help skills, and positive behavior
• Support children's health, nutrition, and daily care routines
• Collaborate with families to foster children's success at home and school
• Maintain a classroom that is organized, clean, and responsive to children's needs
• Observe, document, and support each child's individual development
• Help ensure compliance with Head Start standards and child safety requirements
• Step into leadership responsibilities when the teacher is unavailable

What We're Looking For

We're seeking someone who:

• Loves working with young children and believes every child can succeed
• Builds trusting, respectful relationships with families and colleagues
• Is patient, flexible, creative, and team-oriented
• Demonstrates strong communication and organizational skills
• Values diversity and enjoys working with children and families from varied backgrounds
• Is committed to ongoing professional growth and learning

About STEP, Inc.:

Lycoming-Clinton Counties Commission for Community Action (STEP), Inc. has been serving the community for 60 years! As part of the Community Action Network, STEP has a long history of providing programs to support needs identified through its Community Assessment. Being a part of STEP, makes you part of something much bigger - people helping people and building stronger communities!

• High school diploma or GED certificate and willingness to obtain Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) in the Center-based Setting within two (2) years of hire; associate degree preferred;
• Minimum of one year of experience working with young children

*Bilingual English–Spanish desirable.

STEP, Inc. offers a generous benefits package:

• Flexible health insurance options to fit YOUR needs
• Agency-paid dental, vision, and life insurance
• 403(b) retirement savings with generous employer match
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DCA) options
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Long-Term Sick Leave
• Optional flexible benefits