Head Start Teacher Assistant

COMMUNITY COUNCIL OF SOUTH CENTRAL; New Braunfels (TX); On-site; USD 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading community organization seeks a Head Start Teacher Assistant to support classroom activities and ensure compliance with educational standards. The role involves creating a safe and stimulating environment for children, collaborating with teachers, and engaging families in the Head Start program. Ideal candidates will have a strong understanding of childcare regulations and a passion for fostering children's development.

Qualifications

• Assist in maintaining a safe and calm classroom environment.
• Knowledgeable of childcare licensing standards.
• Experience in developing lesson plans and working with children.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Teacher in implementing program activities.
• Ensure the safety and supervision of children.
• Support family involvement in the Head Start program.

Skills

Child supervision

Lesson planning

Communication

Creativity

Problem solving

Education

Knowledge of Texas Minimum Standards

Understanding of Head Start Performance Standards

Job description

MISSION:

CCSCT empowers vulnerable families and individuals in greater South Central Texas to achieve self-sufficiency by eliminating barriers through innovative programs and strong community partnerships.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Head Start Teacher Assistant I-IV is responsible for assisting the Head Start Teacher in implementing the program in an assigned classroom and ensuring that the classroom operates in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, TDFPS Minimum Standards, and all state and local regulations. The Head Start Teacher Assistant provides care and education for children and their families in a child care setting, creating a supportive, safe, and stimulating learning environment. They should be knowledgeable of Texas Minimum Standards for Licensing and Head Start Performance Standards.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Assist the Teacher in maintaining a calm, safe classroom and playground that incorporates developmental appropriateness; create an atmosphere where children feel comfortable and secure, reflecting the cultures of all enrolled children.
2. Ensure the safety of children through constant supervision, effective space arrangement, proper maintenance of equipment, and regular practice of fire drills and emergency procedures.
3. Work closely with the Teacher to develop lesson plans that meet the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs of each child, considering variations in ability levels and individual interests.
4. Assist the Teacher in incorporating developmentally appropriate practices according to Head Start Performance Standards.
5. Help ensure curriculum continuity and uphold high standards of equality in the classroom; work individually with children experiencing difficulty in group activities.
6. Consistently implement center routines, including hand washing, tooth brushing, eating, napping, and transitioning between activities.
7. Operate the classroom in compliance with all childcare-licensing standards, paying particular attention to standards prohibiting physical punishment.
8. Assist the Teacher in ensuring the classroom provides a stimulating, clean, and safe learning environment.
9. Ensure proper documentation in children's files across all content areas.
10. Assist in completing Individual Education Plans for each enrolled child; continue the ongoing assessment process, maintaining written or digital records on each child.
11. Provide a variety of materials and planned activities to encourage individual and group play, including language stimulation activities.
12. Create experiences that promote self-expression, imagination, and creativity, and offer positive guidance to foster self-esteem.
13. Offer activities involving thinking skills such as generalizing, classifying, sorting, and problem solving.
14. Provide opportunities to help children develop and understand appropriate relationships with others.
15. Increase the complexity and challenge of activities as children develop.
16. Observe, record, and report any child's behavior, sharing information appropriately with other staff members.
17. Demonstrate personal development and growth by remaining relaxed, using a calm, quiet voice, being pleasant and enthusiastic about children, and exercising self-control in challenging situations.
18. Assist with transition activities for children and families: into Head Start, during the program year, and to subsequent placements such as kindergarten.
19. Assist children during snack, breakfast, and lunch, ensuring the Head Start philosophy of family-style meals is maintained, and children serve themselves. Both Teacher Assistant and Teacher should be seated at the table with children during mealtimes.
20. Encourage family involvement in the Head Start program and support the development of relationships between children and their families.
21. Report all suspected child abuse to the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400 or to an immediate supervisor.
22. Follow CCSCT Policies and Procedures and maintain confidentiality in all agency operations.
23. Familiarize with the agency's Strategic Plan and understand how your role contributes to achieving its goals.
24. Attend and participate in staff meetings, conferences, workshops, and trainings; serve on committees as assigned.
25. Perform other related duties as assigned or required.