Head Start Teacher Assistant

Independence School District; United States; On-site; USD 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Independence School District is seeking an Early Childhood/Early Education Teacher Assistant to support the classroom teacher at the 590-Hanthorn Early Childhood Center. This 9‑month or 12‑month position focuses on nurturing preschool learning and assisting with daily activities and routines.

Qualified candidates may hold a degree with nine hours in early childhood coursework, have completed CDA, be enrolled in a CDA program within two years, or possess a degree plus 120 CDA clock hours.

Qualifications

• Must have one of the following: degree with nine hours in early childhood coursework, completed CDA, be enrolled in a CDA program to be completed within two years, be enrolled in a degree program with at least nine hours in early childhood coursework, or have a degree and complete 120 CDA clock hours.
• Experience with preschool children desirable.
• Able to lift, carry, and hold children up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to reach eye level with children and participate in play and learning activities.

Responsibilities

• Provide a nurturing and appropriate learning environment for children in the Early Education program.
• Implement a program that encourages individual differences in children regardless of abilities, heritage, culture, or language.
• Assist in daily classroom activities, including sign‑in/out and material preparation.
• Support a process‑oriented curriculum and family engagement.

Skills

Preschool experience

Lift 50 lbs

Education

Nine hours in early childhood coursework

Completed CDA

Currently enrolled in CDA program (within 2 years)

Degree with nine hours in early childhood coursework

Degree with 120 CDA clock hours

Job description

• Position Type:
  Early Childhood/ Early Education Teacher Assistant
• Date Posted:
  3/17/2026
• Location:
  590-Hanthorn Early Childhood Center
• Date Available:
  26-27 School Year

9-month Position

Qualifications

• Must meet one of the following:
  • A degree with nine (9) hours in early childhood coursework
  • Completed CDA
  • Be currently enrolled in a CDA program to be completed within two (2) years
  • Be currently and continually enrolled in a degree program including at least nine (9) hours in early childhood coursework
  • Have a degree and are completing 120 CDA clock hours
• Successful experience working with preschool children desired
• Able to lift, carry, and hold children up to 50 pounds
• Ability to stoop, crawl, kneel, and bend in order to speak to children at the child's eye level, to play with children, and to pick up toys and equipment from the floor

Fair Labor Standards Act Status:

Non-Exempt

Reports to:

Principal

Job Goal:

To assist the teacher in the implementation of Head Start Performance Standards.

Performance Responsibilities:

• Responsible for providing a nurturing and appropriate learning environment for children in the Early Education program
• Responsible for implementing a program for children that will provide experiences that encourage individual differences of the children regardless of special abilities, talents, ethnic heritage, culture, and language
• Share responsibilities of maintaining the physical environment by assembling materials needed for the daily activities, being responsible for daily sign in/sign out of children, participating in the daily classroom activities and making suggestions in planning and guiding of the learning activities
• Support and implement a process-oriented curriculum
• Assist in communicating and establishing rapport with families
• Attend and participate in parent and staff meetings and training sessions
• Participate in at least two home visits and two parent conferences per year
• Know and use appropriate, positive guidance, and discipline techniques
• Maintain visual and auditory awareness of children at all times to ensure their safety in the classroom, on the playground, and on field trips
• Act as a team member in lesson planning and record keeping
• Maintain client confidentiality according to established policy
• Attend all required meetings, including designated evening meetings
• Submit initial physical examination upon hire and every two (2) years following
• Submit initial tuberculin screening upon hire
• Complete CPR training within 30 days of hire
• Follow district policies and procedures
• Have the ability to be flexible in working alternative hours on nontraditional program days
• Other duties as defined and assigned

Terms of Employment:

The Early Education Teacher Assistant will be employed in a nine (9) or twelve (12) month position. The salary and the work year will be established annually by the Board of Education.

Required Testing:

Post offer employment medical physical exam and essential functions test (EFT) required.

Work Environment/conditions:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works indoors with minimal temperature variations and under conditions with risk of injury and/or illness. The employee may also occasionally work with cleaning chemicals. The noise level of the work environment is usually moderate, but occasionally can be loud. Generally the job requires 5 % sitting, 50% standing, and 45% walking.

Physical Demands:

• The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands and fingers, and talk and hear.
• The employee is frequently required to bend at the neck.
• The employee is frequently required to climb or balance, reach, bend, crouch or crawl, squat, stoop, and kneel.
• The employee must frequently lift, carry and/or hold, push, or move up to 50 pounds.

Evaluation:

Performance of this job will be evaluated by the Principal using the Early Education Teacher Assistant Evaluation.