Teacher Assistant: Head Start (46 wk)

Action for Boston Community Development, Inc.; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 30,210; Full time

Job summary

A community development organization is seeking a Teacher Assistant for its Head Start program in East Boston. The role involves assisting the lead teacher in caring for and educating preschool-aged children. The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma and preferably some early childhood education certification. Bilingual candidates are preferred and the position provides a full-time compensation of $21.93 per hour, emphasizing teamwork and supportive learning environments.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bilingual in a language spoken by families served preferred.
• Experience teaching preschool age children is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Teacher with the care and education of children.
• Plan and implement education objectives.
• Maintain daily observations and records of children.

Skills

Good interpersonal skills

Bilingual ability where appropriate

Knowledge of socioeconomic needs

Ability to work with diverse populations

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Active Preschool Child Development Associate Credential

ECE Certificate or EEC Preschool Lead Teacher certification

Enrolled in a degree program in early childhood education

Job description

Overview

Title: Teacher Assistant: Head Start (46 wk)
Company: Action for Boston Community Development, Inc.
Department: Head Start and Children’s Services
Location: East Boston
Compensation: $21.93 / hour
Employment type: Full‑time
Seniority level: Entry level

Key Responsibilities

The Teacher Assistant assists the Teacher with the care and education of a group of children as part of a teaching team. The Teacher Assistant assists with the planning and implementation of the Education Component objectives of the Performance Standards.

Teaching Practices

Provides pre‑school children with a joyful, nurturing, safe, healthy individualized environment and the varied experiences which help them develop socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally in a manner appropriate to their age and stage of development in relationship to the overall goal of social competency.

Observation, Planning, and Documentation

• Participate in the daily observations of children.
• Participate in a minimum of two home visits and three parent/teacher conferences per family per year.
• Participate in the development and implementation of developmentally‑appropriate lesson plans and individualized activities.
• Participate in the development and implementation of written Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for children with special needs.
• Engage in record‑keeping activities (e.g. keeping records of daily observations of children and of communication with parents).
• Participate in team meetings.

Additional Duties & Tasks

• Attend meetings as necessary.
• Maintain the EEC requirements including child‑to‑staff ratios, classroom supervision, etc. Participate in the day‑to‑day operation of the classroom/center.
• Provide classroom coverage in the absence of the Teacher or Lead Teacher.
• Report to the Teacher or Lead Teacher regarding the daily implementation of classroom duties.
• Report to the Program Director for all matters relating to terms of employment and center operations.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Develop activities and strategies for involving parents in the educational aspects of the program.
• Good interpersonal skills; work cooperatively as a member of a teaching team, with other program staff and parents.
• Possess bilingual ability where appropriate.
• Demonstrated knowledge and sensitivity to the education and socioeconomic needs of the children and families served in Head Start.
• Ability to work with a culturally diverse low‑income population.

Professionalism

• Engage in ongoing staff development to expand professional skills.
• Maintain professional boundaries in relationships with staff and families.
• Maintain confidentiality of child and family information at all times.

Physical/Environmental Demands and Conditions

The Teacher Assistant must have the capability to engage in the physical activities incident to the job, including without limitation, the capability to:

• Lift and move pre‑school age children.
• Remain alert during naptime supervision.
• Supervise and monitor children by sight and sound at all times.
• Respond to children in case of an emergency in order to ensure safety, such as the capability to react quickly and chase after a child if she or he runs toward danger or tries to leave the classroom.
• Attend to the needs of children with disabilities, including physically challenged children.
• Lift and move equipment and furniture as necessary to facilitate the execution of classroom activities.

Education & Experience

High school diploma or equivalent required. Active Preschool Child Development Associate Credential; ECE Certificate or EEC Preschool Lead Teacher certified; or enrolled in a degree program leading to an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in early childhood education or related field, or enrolled in a CDA program to be completed within two years with experience teaching preschool age children. EEC preschool teacher certification preferred. Bilingual in a language spoken by families served by ABCD preferred.

Legal & Compliance

This position must comply with all federal, state and local laws, regulations, standards and policies, including those of the federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Massachusetts disability law (Chapter 766), Boston Family Engagement Network (BFEN) and ABCD, Inc. Head Start and Children’s Services policies and procedures.

All ABCD Head Start/Early Head Start and Children’s Services personnel who are paid to care for, or work with, children are mandated by law to report all suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF), pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119 §§ 51A – 51G. Any staff member who suspects child abuse or neglect of a child must inform their supervisor immediately.

All communications are potentially sensitive and are subject to Head Start's policy on confidentiality.