Teacher Assistant: Southdowne Head Start

Douglas Cherokee Economic Authority, Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Douglas Cherokee Head Start is seeking a Teacher Assistant for Southdowne Head Start in Blount County. You will assist in carrying out developmentally appropriate activities for preschool children and supervise them in classroom and playground areas to ensure safety.

Responsibilities include supporting teachers, maintaining records, and engaging with families to promote program objectives. Requires a HS diploma or GED; CDA or ECE degree preferred; CPR/First Aid training and background checks are

Qualifications

• Experience working with preschool children.
• Must obtain a pre-employment physical and background check.
• First Aid and CPR training and keep updated.

Responsibilities

• Assist in organizing the classroom and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment.
• Observe and assess each child’s progress and assist in planning activities based on individual needs.
• Promote social and emotional development and maintain positive classroom discipline.
• Maintain records and attend required meetings/training; participate in home visits and parent conferences as needed.
• Encourage parent involvement and community engagement to support program activities and funding.

Skills

Preschool experience

CPR/First Aid trained

Education

High School Diploma or GED

CDA or ECE degree preferred

Job description

Teacher Assistant: Southdowne Head Start

Program: Douglas Cherokee Head Start
Job Title: Teacher Assistant
Location: Blount County: Southdowne Head Start

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Full-time; 37.5 hours per week; 10 month

Salary Grade: 13 ($15.85 per hour)

Reports to: Area Coordinator, Curriculum & Assessment Manager, Head Start Director

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the area coordinator, the teacher assistant will assist in carrying out all educational, developmentally appropriate activities for preschool children. In addition, the teacher assistant will provide supervision of children in the classroom and on the playground, ensuring each child’s safety. The teacher assistant may assume teacher responsibilities in the absence of a teacher; this may include being named site director for licensing.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES / ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Assists in organizing the classroom and maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment.
• Observes, assesses, refers, and evaluates each child’s progress in the assigned classroom, and assists in planning and implementing classroom activities based on individual needs of the children to advance physical and intellectual competence.
• Assists in promoting social and emotional development of children, and in maintaining classroom discipline using positive guidance techniques.
• Assists in maintaining records and submits reports as required; attends meetings and required training.
• Makes home visits and/or holds parent‑teacher conferences as required, assists with parent meetings, and maintains positive communication with parents and community participants regarding Program activities and objectives.
• Demonstrates work habits, which comply with agency personnel policies and procedures, and completes special assignments from immediate supervisor or Head Start Director.
• Will assisting in cleaning and maintaining indoor and outdoor premises on a daily basis (i.e. sweep, mop, clean bathroom, empty waste containers, and dispose of trash for pick‑up). Pick up debris and other trash outdoors and keep area neat and attractive at all times.
• Welcome families to participate in their child’s learning activities in the classroom, at home, and in the community. Encourage parents to volunteer in the classroom to support their child and the program.
• Encourage parents, families, and community members to support our children and the program through gifts of time, goods, and/or monetary donations to ensure program local match (in‑kind) as required to continue receiving federal funding.
• The teacher assistant may be the immediate supervisor of other center staff in the absence the teacher.

WORK SITE: Blount County: Southdowne Head Start

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

OTHER JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• This job can change at any time for any reason.
• Must perform specific related activities necessary to meet Social Services, Nutrition, Disabilities, and Parent Involvement component operation standards.
• Comply with all rules, policies and procedures of the Agency.
• Maintain confidentiality of family, child, and Agency information.
• Must perform specific related activities necessary to meet Social Services, Nutrition, Disabilities, and Parent Involvement component operation standards.
• Does not discriminate in the provision of services and makes sure that no person is excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or benefit because of race, color, religion, gender (including sexual orientation and gender identity), age, citizenship, ethnicity, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, or veteran status unless those exclusions are based upon bona fide qualifications mandated by program service eligibility criteria.
• This job can change at any time for any reason.

Education Requirements:

• CDA or degree in ECE preferred
• High School Diploma or GED required AND must be enrolled in a program that will lead to an associate or baccalaureate degree or, are enrolled in a CDA credential program to be completed within two years of the time of hire to adhere to the Head Start Performance Standards requirements.

Experience Requirements:

• Experience working with preschool children required

Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must obtain a pre‑employment physical, including a screen for communicable diseases.
• Must agree to pre‑employment background check
• Must complete First Aid and CPR training and keep updated.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Must have the ability to lift children and to physically assist at all times.
• Will frequently lift or move weight as in lifting, carrying, and holding children (20-60#).
• Required to stand up to 95% of the workday.
• Must be able to interact with children on the playground or in the classroom. Ex: run, jump, dance, physical exercise.
• Must be able to stoop and bend to interact with children on their level.
• Able to physically and mentally react immediately to unexpected circumstances.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Application Deadline: Applications accepted until 4PM on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.