Head Start Teaching Assistant-1

Innovative Network of Knowledge; Monroe (LA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused early childhood education provider in Monroe, Louisiana is seeking an experienced professional to ensure the safety and development of children in their care. Applicants should be familiar with early childhood education practices and hold a relevant degree or CDA. Bilingual Spanish skills are preferred. This role requires a commitment to maintaining a healthy and safe environment for all children, alongside effective communication with parents and staff.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Completion or enrollment in CDA credential program is necessary.
• Prefer Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field.

Responsibilities

• Protect the health and safety of children at all times.
• Assist with responsive care and effective teaching methods.
• Support opportunities for parent engagement in child’s development.

Skills

Bilingual Spanish

Effective written and verbal communication

Ability to respond to diverse cultural characteristics

Education

High school diploma or GED

Completion of CDA or higher degree related to early childhood education

Job description

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

Academic Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Completion of Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) or a state‑awarded certificate that meets or exceeds CDA requirements, or enrollment in a program that leads to an Associate or Bachelor’s degree, or enrollment in a CDA credential program to be completed within two years of hire.
• Prefer Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.

Work Experience

• Prefer two years of experience in a preschool classroom setting.
• Prefer bilingual Spanish.

Critical Action Items & Measurable Deliverables

• Protect the physical and mental health and safety of our children; no child is left alone or unsupervised while under our care. (HSPPS 1302.90)
• 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)
• 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)
• Support screenings, assessments, and ongoing evaluation of the child’s developmental level and progress in outcomes. (HSPPS 1302.33)
• 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)
• Follow appropriate practices to keep children safe during all activities, including reporting suspected or known child abuse and neglect, supervising children at all times, and adhering to all standards of conduct. (HSPPS 1302.47, 1302.90)
• Comply with positive adult‑child interactions as measured by the CLASS–Pre‑K instrument. (HSPPS 1304.16)
• Complete minimum training requirements as specified in state and federal standards. (HSPPS 1302.92)
• Maintain regular communication with teachers to ensure they are well‑informed about student behavior and progress.
• Maintain child files, classroom forms, and other documentation, ensuring they are compliant, current, and organized.
• Monitor the classroom and make certain it is free from physical and environmental hazards.
• Ensure incident reporting occurs within the timeframes designated in program policy and protocol.

Other Responsibilities

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

Requirements

• Ability to respond sensitively and competently to the service population’s cultural and socio‑economic characteristics.
• Effective written and verbal communication in English and Spanish (preferred).
• Ability to maintain emotional control and professional composure at all times.
• Working knowledge of all INK policies and procedures.
• Ability to organize and prioritize duties and responsibilities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to work independently.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.
• Complete and pass a health examination.
• Confirm work‑eligibility status.
• Successfully pass a driving history check.
• Clear criminal background check.
• Required to lift up to 60 pounds.
• Required to stand, sit on the floor, bend, squat, kneel, lift children, and engage with children.
• Exposure to communicable diseases and other hazards such as cigarette smoke, pets, and at‑risk neighborhoods.
• Travel up to 50% by car, bus, airplane, or train may also be required for attendance at conferences, meetings, and other duties carried out at distant locations in and out of state, and in some cases, overnight travel may be required.
• 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 medical or religious exemption. This is a condition of employment, and all new hires will be responsible for providing proof.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

INK, is an Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) Employer. It has been and will continue to be a fundamental policy of INK to not 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. In accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable federal and state laws, 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.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

If you like to work with people that believe they can make a difference in the world, this is the company for you!