Teacher Assistant

United Counseling Service; Bennington (VT); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

United Counseling Service in Bennington, Vermont, is seeking a Teacher Assistant to support the classroom under the Teacher and Education Manager. You will help create a welcoming, secure environment for children and assist in involving families in educational activities.

Responsibilities include planning daily activities, supervising play, maintaining records, coordinating field trips, and assisting with data for assessments.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
• A CDA or AA in early childhood education is preferred or active enrollment in a CDA/AA program within 2 years.
• Ability to work with parents and support classroom activities.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Teacher in planning daily activities and preparing materials.
• Supervise play, direct group activities, and support children’s self-care.
• Maintain classroom environment and assist with field trips and off-site experiences.
• Engage families, schedule meetings, and involve parents in classroom activities.
• Maintain attendance records and observations for assessments; enter data as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Classroom supervision

Recordkeeping

Parental involvement

Observation & reporting

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

CDA or AA in early childhood education

Enrolled in CDA/AA program within 2 years of start date

Job description

Description

Under the direction of the Teacher and/or the Education Manager, the Teacher Assistant helps create and maintain an atmosphere in the classroom in which children feel welcome, valued, comfortable, and secure. The Assistant assists the Teacher in involving parents in educational activities and participates in classroom activities.

Major Responsibilities

Education

Cooperate with the Teacher to plan a schedule of daily activities, field trips, and special projects; prepare educational materials and classroom environment for daily activities; act as Teacher in Teacher’s absence.

Classroom Activities

Supervise play activities, participate in activities, direct small and large group activities; observe, record, and report children's behavior and play; help children with self-care routines; provide aid to children experiencing difficulty or loss of control; intervene in situations where injury may result; provide active supervision in the classroom, at off-site experiences, field trips, and on the Head Start bus (Bus Monitor).

Classroom Maintenance

Maintain educational supplies and art materials, monitor equipment and supplies, and cooperate with the Teacher to maintain an orderly classroom environment; clean up at mealtime and after playtime.

Family Engagement

Provide childcare during after-hour parent events at a minimum of two shifts per year; complete intake forms with parents; help parents feel comfortable in their role as classroom helpers and involve parents in activities and projects; refer parents’ questions to the Teacher as appropriate; schedule meetings and family events after regular hours if needed.

Recordkeeping

Maintain a complete record of each child enrolled as required by federal and state regulations; maintain accurate attendance records, written records of conversations with parents, and ongoing daily observations; enter observations into assessment program for accurate assessments; ensure BFIS credential account is up to date.

Additional Duties

Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Educational / Experience / Credential Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Per OHS requirement, must hold a valid Child Development Associate (CDA) or associate degree in early childhood education (AA), or be enrolled in a program leading to a CDA or AA within 2 years of employment start date.