Teacher Assistant - HS

Orange County Start Inc.; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Orange County Start Inc. seeks an Assistant Teacher to support Head Start children under the supervision of the Lead Teacher.

You will assist with preparation, instruction, and assessment, and help families partner on child goals and progress in a high-energy learning environment. You will document progress, assist with screenings, and maintain safety while supporting daily classroom activities and parent conferences.

Qualifications

• Fluent in English (oral and written).
• Experience in early childhood settings preferred.
• Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards.

Responsibilities

• Oversee learning environment with the Teacher.
• Assist with preparation, instruction, and evaluation for Head Start children.
• Support home visits and parent conferences regarding child progress.
• Document child progress using observations and work samples.
• Maintain safety and assist with toileting and self-care routines.
• Assist with screening tools and referrals when concerns arise.
• Prepare daily attendance, meal counts, and safety drills.
• Communicate with parents to set and update child goals.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Observation

Safety awareness

Education

Child Development Associate Permit

12 ECE units

Job description

In conjunction with a Teacher, responsible and accountable for overseeing the learning environment and assistance with teaching Head Start Children including assisting with preparation, instruction, evaluation, home visits and parent conferences regarding children’s goals and progress toward continued education in early childhood.

Assist Teacher in effectively implementing learning experiences that advance the intellectual and physical development of children including improving the readiness of children for school based on individual and group patterns of development that address all domains and areas required by the Head Start Performance Standards.

Assist Teacher in working with parents to develop individual lesson plans, goals and objectives for each child’s development in the domains required by the Head Start Performance Standards.

Assist teacher to document child’s progress through written observations, work samples, pictures and input from parents and other qualified staff in the required assessment tool.

Must be able to hear and see children at all time when under their supervision.

Instruct and interact with children utilizing the appropriate adult child interactions as approved by the agency including one-on-one, small group, and large group interactions.

Provide care and supervision for children including maintaining safety, assisting with toileting and self-care routines.

Assist teacher in training parents and volunteers regarding classroom procedures, appropriate interactions with children and specific tasks.

Assist Teacher with implementing approved screening tools in partnership with parents to observe each child’s health and development and when concerns are identified refer children with concerns to the appropriate services for support.

Assist Teacher to prepare daily paperwork including but not limited to daily attendance, meal count, daily milk count, fire and disaster drills, inside and outside safety checklist.

Work with the teacher to help communicate during parent/teacher home visit and parent conferences to communicate child progress with parents and set/update goals for each child.

Assist Teacher to recruit parents to participate in Parent Involvement Program and notify parents of meetings, home visits, events and concerns.

Prepare and set-up for meals and snacks as required.

Assist children and adults when injured or during other emergency situations within the classroom and related facilities.

Participate in the preparation, cleaning, and set up of classroom environment and materials for planned activities/lessons.

Perform similar and incidental duties as required.

Job Qualifications

Education: A Child Development Associate Teacher Permit and/or a Minimum of 12 units of Early Childhood Education/Child Development including core courses.

Experience: Some related experience.

Knowledge: Knowledge of early childhood development and Head Start Performance Standards.

Language Skills: Oral and written fluency in English. Oral and written fluency in Spanish, and or Vietnamese may be required per as a result of community and workforce composition.

Math Skills: Basic math skills required.

Other Requirements: Must have a valid California Driver License and proof of insurance. Must be able to drive to and from different family homes, centers, meetings and/or training venues. Successfully comply with the provisions of Senate Bill 933 and Orange County Head Start’s requirements relative to fingerprinting and criminal background checks.

Other Abilities: Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing. Ability to work in a team environment. Ability to effectively teach, deal effectively with children, parents and others, and to be an effective member of a teaching team. Must be able to work in a high energy/high stress environment.

Reasoning Abilities: Ability to understand and interact with children, parents and various support personnel.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to Center Director.

Major Business/Professional Contacts

Works as a team member with Teachers and other Teacher Assistants and additional Head Start Staff. Frequent contact with health staff regarding child’s health; with Inclusion Facilitator to assess child’s needs relative to special needs and with Center Director for the operation of the center.

Working and Environmental Conditions

Typically functions in a classroom or office environment, as well as daily outside exposure for playground monitoring.

Physical Demands

Requires extended periods of time standing, walking bending and lifting to help the children. Must be able to lift/carry/restrain a 40/50 pound child. Must be able to move freely and quickly within the center environment including sitting on the floor, kneeling, crawling to play with children and to meet their needs.