Head Start Teacher Assistant

Upbring; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Upbring seeks a Head Start Teacher Assistant to support lead teachers in creating a safe and engaging learning environment for young children. This role involves planning activities, supervising children, and promoting their social-emotional development while ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.

Benefits

Competitive PTO & paid holidays

Health, dental, vision insurance & more

403(b) Plan

Employee Assistance Program

Discounted Gym Memberships

Qualifications

• Three months’ experience in early childhood education.
• Willing to obtain CPR and first aid certification.

Responsibilities

• Assist the lead teacher in planning and implementing activities.
• Ensure safety and supervision of children at all times.
• Support children's learning through play-based activities.

Skills

Collaboration

Supervision

Engagement

Education

High School diploma or GED equivalent

Child Development Associate (CDA) credential program eligibility

Job description

Overview

At Upbring, our team is united by a shared mission: to break the cycle of child abuse and advance the wellbeing of children, families and communities, empowering them to thrive. As servant-leaders, we lead by example, working passionately to create a brighter future for those we serve. Every day, we strive to embody our core values:

• We are Warriors: Fierce, resilient, and courageous, we face challenges head-on with unwavering loyalty and passion.
• We are Servants: We dedicate ourselves to serving others, empowering those around us to thrive.
• We are Family: We work together as a supportive, caring community, creating a sense of belonging and strength.

Joining Upbring means becoming part of a family of passionate individuals who are fearless in their pursuit of lasting change. Together, we are making a difference, one life at a time.

Your Mission in Action

The Head Start Teacher Assistant supports the lead teacher in creating a safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for young children. This role assists with implementing lesson plans, supervising children, promoting social-emotional development, and maintaining classroom routines. The Teacher Assistant helps with meal service, hygiene, and daily transitions while ensuring compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and health and safety regulations. Strong collaboration with the teaching team, staff, and families is essential to fostering a positive and inclusive classroom experience.

Responsibilities

• Assist the lead teacher in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate activities

• Ensure the safety and active supervision of children at all times, both indoors and outdoors

• Support children’s learning by engaging with them in play-based and hands-on activities

• Help promote positive social-emotional development by modeling appropriate behavior and reinforcing classroom expectations

• Assist with meals, snacks, handwashing, toileting, and diapering while following health and safety regulations

• Help maintain a clean, safe, and engaging learning environment by setting up materials and organizing supplies

• Build positive relationships with families and support parent involvement in the program

• Follow Head Start Performance Standards, licensing regulations, and program policies, assisting with observations and record-keeping as needed

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED equivalent
• Three (3) months’ experience in early childhood education
• Eligible to enroll in a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential program or a degree program leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree. If enrolled in a degree program, a minimum of 15 credit hours in early childhood or child development must be completed within two (2) years of the hire date, or the CDA credential must be earned within the same timeframe
• Must successfully complete a background check, drug screening, physical examination, and TB screening in accordance with program requirements
• Willing to obtain COR Advantage Assessment certification
• Willing to obtain CPR and first aid certification

Preferred Qualifications

• One (1) year experience in a Pre-k or Head Start classroom
• Child Development Associate with Pre-k Credential (CDA) or associate degree or higher in child development/early childhood education, or in a different field with a minimum of 15 credit hours in these fields of study
• CPR and First aid Certification
• COR Advantage certification

Travel

• This position may be required to travel up to 10%

Perks at Upbring

• Competitive PTO & paid holidays
• Health, dental, vision insurance & more
• 403(b) Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Discounted Gym Memberships

Physical Demands & Work Conditions

• Ability to stand, walk, sit on the floor, and move quickly to engage with children and ensure their safety
• Lift, push, pull, or move up to 50lbs
• Frequent bending, crouching, and kneeling to interact with children
• Assists with meals, hygiene routines, and classroom setup
• Participate in active play, supervision, and learning experiences in both indoor and outdoor environments

The physical requirements for this position with or without reasonable accommodation are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. While performing this position the employee with or without reasonable accommodation should have the ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, speak, and hear with aid, see, read, reach with arms and hands, lift and/or move up to specified weight, and use equipment that is essential to performing the job, such as a computer, copier, fax machine, telephone, and automobile, if applicable. Specific vision requirements of this position may include color vision, seeing things close up, and the ability to adjust focus.

Upbring is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.