Head Start Teaching Assistant

60 Innovative Network of Knowledge; West Monroe (LA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

INK, a nonprofit dedicated to early childhood education, seeks an entry‑level preschool assistant to support classrooms in West Monroe, LA. The role involves helping implement curricula, supporting learners, and ensuring a safe, organized environment.

You will assist with assessments and family engagement while adhering to Head Start standards and confidentiality. CDA progress and bilingual abilities are encouraged.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with CDA credential or CDA program in progress
• Prefer Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education
• Prefer two years of preschool classroom experience
• Bilingual Spanish preferred
• Valid driver’s license (as needed)

Responsibilities

• Protect the physical and mental health and safety of children at all times
• Assist with responsive care and an organized learning environment
• Support implementation of curricula for language, literacy, math, and social development
• Participate in screenings, assessments, and progress documentation
• Support family engagement through conferences and home visits
• Maintain confidentiality and proper classroom records

Skills

Bilingual (Spanish)

Strong English communication

Education

High school diploma or GED with CDA credential or CDA program to complete within 2 years

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education preferred

Job description

It's a great feeling to work for a company that does so much good for others around the world!

Academic Req:

Required - High school diploma or GED, and completion of Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) or state awarded certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements for a CDA credential, are enrolled in a program that will lead to an Associate or Bachelor’s degree, or are enrolled in a CDA credential program to be completed within two years of the time of hire. Prefer Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field.

Work Experience:

Prefer two years of experience in the preschool classroom setting. Prefer bilingual (Spanish).

Critical Action Items & Measurable Deliverables:

1. Protect the physical and mental health and safety of our children and no child is left alone or unsupervised while under our care. (HSPPS §1302.90)
2. Assist with the provision of responsive care, effective teaching, and an organized learning environment that promotes healthy development and children’s skill growth aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five, including children with disabilities. (HSPPS §1302.31)
3. Assist with the implementation of prescribed curricula to provide developmentally appropriate learning experiences in language, literacy, social and emotional development, math, science, social studies, creative arts, and physical development, and integrate child assessment data in individual and group planning. (HSPPS §1302.31, 1302.32)
4. Support screenings, assessments, and ongoing evaluation of the child’s developmental level and progress in outcomes. (HSPPS §1302.33)
5. Support opportunities for parents and family members to engage in their child’s development and in program services, including but not limited to parent conferences, home visits, and group activities. (HSPPS §1302.34)
6. Follow appropriate practices to keep children safe during all activities, including reporting at a minimum suspected or known child abuse and neglect, appropriate supervision of children at all times; and all standards of conduct. (HSPPS §1302.47, §1302.90)
7. Comply with positive adult-child interactions as measured by the CLASS: Pre‑K instrument. (HSPPS §1304.16)
8. Complete minimum training requirements as specified in state and federal standards. (HSPPS §1302.92)
9. Regular communication with teachers ensures they are well‑informed about their students’ behavior, and progress.
10. Maintain child files, classroom forms, and other documentation and ensure those documents are compliant, current, and organized.
11. Monitor classroom and make certain it is free from physical and environmental hazards.
12. Ensure incident reporting occurs within the timeframes designated in program policy and protocol.

Other Responsibilities:

1. Use age‑appropriate equipment, materials, supplies and physical space for indoor and outdoor learning environments, including functional space, and change materials periodically to support children’s evolving interests and development.
2. Support teachers’ response to classroom observations through modifications to teaching strategies and lesson plans in accordance with prescribed curricula.
3. Communicate child observations to teachers, including the identification of potential interference with a child’s development and school readiness.
4. Support teachers’ coordination with education, family, mental health and/or child development professional program staff to address identified needs.
5. Participate in school functions, scheduled meetings and team decision and operations.
6. Work collaboratively with other staff members, service providers and professionals.
7. Maintain confidentiality in all areas of child and program operations.
8. Perform other job duties as assigned.

Requirements:

1. Ability to respond sensitively and competently to the service population’s cultural and socio‑economic characteristics.
2. Effective written and verbal communication in English and Spanish (preferred).
3. Ability to maintain emotional control and professional composure at all times.
4. Working knowledge of all INK policies and procedures.
5. Ability to organize and prioritize duties and responsibilities in a fast‑paced environment.
6. Ability to work independently.
7. Possess a valid driver’s license.
8. Complete and pass health examination.
9. Confirm work eligibility status.
10. Successfully pass driving history check.
11. Clear criminal background check.
12. Required to lift up to 60 pounds.
13. Required to stand, sit on the floor, bend, squat, kneel, lift children, and engage with children.
14. Exposure to communicable diseases, and other hazards such as cigarette smoke, pets, at risk neighborhoods, etc.
15. Travel up to 50% by car, bus, airplane, or train may also be required associated with attendance at conferences, meetings and other duties carried out at distant locations in and out of state and in some cases where some overnight travel may be required.
16. Some evenings and weekend work may occasionally be required for events such as home visits, parent teacher conferences, Parent Committee meetings, community, and social events such as field trips.

Here at INK, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. Please feel free to apply for this position even if your work experience and education do not align perfectly with every requirement for this job description. You may very well be the perfect candidate for this role or other ones that we have open. Thank you for your interest in joining our mission! INK is committed to following immunization recommendations produced by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). As such, our company policy requires that all employees must receive an annual Influenza vaccination or obtain an approved exemption as a medical or religious accommodation. This is a condition of employment, and all new hires will be responsible for providing proof.

INK, is an Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) Employer. It has been and will continue to be a fundamental policy of INK), not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination.

English (United States) If you like to work with people that believe they can make a difference in the world, this is the company for you! EEO Statement In accordance with TitleVII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable federal and state laws (e.g., the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity and treat all employees equally regardless of race, religion, national origin, color, sex, or any other classification made unlawful or prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws, such as age, citizenship status, veteran or military status, or disability. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination.

Services for children and families include:

• Preschool
• Individualized teaching
• Degreed teachers
• Bilingual services
• Social services
• Parent trainings
• Meals and snacks
• Disability services
• Dental exams
• Mental wellness
• Health services
• Field trips

EEO Statement In accordance with TitleVII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable federal and state laws (e.g., the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity and treat all employees equally regardless of race, religion, national origin, color, sex, or any other classification made unlawful or prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws, such as age, citizenship status, veteran or military status, or disability. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination.

#LI‑Education #LI‑Entry Level #LI‑Full‑time Innovative Network of Knowledge (INK) is an educational nonprofit that specializes in finding and developing solutions to problems faced by teachers, administrators, parents and students in the educational community. Our Services INK provides a variety of comprehensive early childhood education and family support services thanks to strong partnerships with school districts, innovative and fun curriculums, and passionate staff dedicated to learning and academic success.