Teacher Assistant: Head Start (52 wk)

Action for Boston Community Development, Inc.; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 27,242 - 38,799; Part time

Job summary

A community development organization in Boston is seeking a Teacher Assistant to support the education and care of preschool-aged children. Responsibilities include assisting the Teacher with planning and implementation of educational objectives, observing children, and participating in home visits. A high school diploma and experience with preschool children are required, along with good interpersonal skills. The position offers a nurturing environment for children, ensuring their development and safety.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Completed CDA program or working towards an early childhood education degree.
• Experience teaching preschool age children.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Teacher with care and education of children.
• Participate in daily observations and home visits.
• Develop and implement appropriate lesson plans.

Skills

Good interpersonal skills

Bilingual ability where appropriate

Ability to work with diverse populations

Knowledge of child growth and development

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Preschool Child Development Associate Credential

Enrolled in a degree program in early childhood education

Job description

Department: Head Start and Children’s Services

Location: Mattapan

Compensation: $23.97 / hour

Description

The Teacher Assistant is responsible for assisting 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.

The Teacher Assistant is responsible for promoting the mission of ABCD Head Start & Children’s Services; building an understanding of the program by communicating this mission to staff, families, and the community.

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.

The responsibilities of a particular position may support both Early Head Start and Head Start depending on the individual assignment. The specific corresponding funding allocation will be documented on the personnel payroll authorization or change of status form.

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

Essential Duties

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 of and implementation of developmentally-appropriate lesson plans and individualized activities.
• Participate in the development and implementation of written Individual Education Plans (IEP's) 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 in order to enhance their role as the principle influence in their child's education and development and increasing their knowledge and understanding of the skills and experiences in child growth and development.
• 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 the 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 certified preferred. Bilingual in a language spoken by families served by ABCD preferred.