Title: Head Start Assistant Preschool Teacher
Immediate Supervisor: Site Eduction Manager I, II or III

GENERAL SUMMARY OF WHAT THE POSITION DOES

This is a 40 week; 40 hrs per week position. This position works as a part of a teaching team to work as a partner with the Teacher/Lead Teacher in developing activities for preschool Head Start (HS) children to provide them with varied experiences and an appropriate learning environment. This position works with typically developing children, children acquiring more than one language and children with disabilities. Assistance is given to the Teacher in carrying out the goals, policies, and activities designed to implement educational objectives and performance standards. This position works with families to promote parent involvement in the program. This position may be assigned additional duties based upon program need and areas of developing expertise. This position works along with the teacher/lead teacher to attain the goals of the program. This position requires proficiency in the upkeep and entry of data into online and software-based systems, pulling monthly reports as required (or more often as needed) and for maintaining current and complete documentation of all assigned classrooms. The position may be reassigned to various classrooms/centers as deemed necessary for program operations.   

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION

Duties of the position are described in major functional areas listed below.  Additional duties may be assigned.

EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC JOB DUTIES
A. Preschool Program Implementation

1. Direct supervision of the children in the classroom setting is required at all times. At no time when children are present should any classroom teaching staff be in the office taking a break, making phone calls, checking emails or any other situation that may arise. Supervision of children is the priority.
2. Document no more than 10% of child observations, progress on individual goals, etc. using TS GOLD per the expected due dates set by the Education/Disabilities Specialist (E/D Specialist).
3. Supports and implements a developmentally and linguistically appropriate curriculum and experiences in a manner appropriate to the ages, languages and cultures of children served.
4. Supports and implements learning experiences that advance the intellectual and physical development of children including improving the readiness of children for school by developing their literacy and phonemic, print and numeracy awareness, their understanding of the use of language, their understanding and use of increasingly complex and varied vocabulary, their appreciation of books, their understanding of early math and early science,  their problem solving abilities and their approaches to learning.
5. Assists and supports the Teacher in the implementation of the education lesson plans and daily activities for children in accordance with each child's need, based on a method of observing and recording children’s interests and current levels of functioning.
6. Supports social and emotional development and provides positive guidance and discipline.
7. Maintains a commitment to professionalism and continues own professional development so that decisions are based on knowledge of early childhood theories and practices.
8. Implements all component area curriculums as required by CEEN.

B. Preschool Classroom Activities

1. Assists the Teacher in all classroom activities and outdoor activities to include modifying lesson plans.
2. Assists in developing materials and providing activities related to the cultural background of the children and families served.
3. Participates in the screening, observation and documentation of children’s developmental progress.
4. Works with assigned children with disabilities when assigned and with direction from professional staff, supports IEP goals.
5. Helps supervise at mealtime, eating with the children to encourage good nutrition and proper social skills and to comply with the Family Style Head Start requirement.
6. Maintain sanitary hand-washing practices and encourage/assist the children to do so as well.
7. Prepare the sanitizing and disinfecting bleach solution per the Health & Sanitation rules & regulations daily.
8. Helps keep the classroom and its contents clean and orderly.
9. Is familiar with each child and parent.
10. Uses initiative and imagination to assist the child and be perceptive and knowledgeable about the needs of each child.
11. Assists the Teacher in any aspect of the program as the need arises.
12. Assumes the lead position in the class in the Teacher's absence.
13. Makes Home Visits with the teacher as required or requested and documents them as requested.
14. Responsible for the direct supervision of all children during all transitions to include transitioning to outdoor time and in the classroom.

C. Parent/Family Involvement and Community Relations

1. Assists Teacher in meeting the program's needs for parent/family involvement in each classroom. (In-kind)
2. Establishes a relationship of trust and rapport with the families of the children.
3. Communicates with families to facilitate positive interaction with the program, awareness of the child’s needs and development, how the activities of the program promote positive development and their roles in the child’s overall education and development.
4. Participates in the training of families as requested.
5. Involves parents/families in the educational activities of the program to emphasize their role as the principal influence on the child's education and development; and to assist parents/families to increase their knowledge, understanding, skills and experience in basic child development.
6. Assists with identifying parents to volunteer in the classroom as volunteers; communicates that information to the Teacher and SEM.
   1. Assists the Teacher with collecting monthly in-kind records from parents and community members participating in the program.
   2. Assists with the supervision of all assigned volunteers in the classroom.

D. Recordkeeping

1. Submits CLASS and Outcome Goals to the supervisor and/or E/D Specialist: Coaching and Curriculum Focus as scheduled and/or requested.
2. Reads and maintains child records in central file in cooperation with the Family Services Tech (FST).
3. Gathers and maintains individual, family and classroom data for documentation, on-going assessment, evaluation and recordkeeping for successful individual and program planning.
4. Maintains a collection of meaningful monthly samples of preschool children’s work to show progress and growth over
5. Completes individual child screenings and records screening results in the child’s central files.
6. Documents children’s individual goals and supporting activities on the Lesson Plans; observes and records the progress made on the goals. Maintains all Lesson Plans in a binder for three years.
7. Identifies (name/face-to list), Counts and Records the number of children present on the Sign-in Sheets every 30 minutes; before transitions and after transitions.
8. Records and reports children’s incidents, injuries and/or illnesses.
9. Records children’s individual progress and inputs observations in the assessment system daily.

EXAMPLES OF GENERAL JOB DUTIES

1. Understands, generates and documents in-kind and other allowable costs applied toward the non-federal share requirement. Monthly report will be turned into the Teacher and/or SEM.
2. Attends all workshops and meetings as deemed necessary by the immediate supervisor.
3. Attends all required staff and parent meetings and activities.
4. Responsible for understanding Head Start Program Performance Standards, the Head Start Act and local child care licensing regulations.
5. Expected to be knowledgeable of the regulations associated with prevention of occupational disease and injury, including the exercise of universal precautions and the prevention of contamination.
6. Positively promotes Head Start in the community.
7. Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start children, families and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.
8. Becomes thoroughly familiar with CEEN Head Start Policies and Procedures and all other CEEN HS handbooks, manuals and resources and adheres to them.
9. PERFORMS OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Immediate supervision means those employees the position assigns, directs and evaluates. 

Positions Supervised:     None

PERSONAL CONTACTS

Major internal and external contacts.

Internal 

See Organizational Chart

External

Head Start Parents - as needed

Community Partners - as needed 

DECISIONS AND COMMITMENTS

This section will describe the kinds and impact of decisions and commitments; the effects, influence and significance of these decisions; the consequence of error and the limitation of the finality of decision-making.

Decisions and commitments involving the education program are very important and affect the children and continued funding of the programs.  Following the guidelines and the regulations of the program are of the utmost importance to ensuring quality services for the children and families.

Decisions and commitments involving CACFP/USDA regulations and sanitation of facilities are very important and affect the children and continued funding of the program. 

The Head Start Program Performance Standards and related regulations must be followed. This position must be able to initiate, prioritize, and carry out functions without continuous direct supervision.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

The job description will serve as a guideline.  Assistance is received from other agency staff as needed.  Outside assistance can be received from other related resources.  Head Start effectively uses the teamwork approach.  All content areas are interwoven so as to better assist and support families.  The immediate supervisor is responsible for appraisals of this position.

This position receives content area supervision and technical assistance from program supervisor, specialists, coordinators and/or managers.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

1. Knowledge: Knowledge of the basics of working with preschool children.  Knowledge of the purpose of the Head Start program.  Knowledge of local resources, customs and languages helpful.   
2. Abilities: Ability to relate sensitively with children and to work well with staff, parents and families.  Ability to follow directions and take initiative.  Ability to keep all information regarding families strictly confidential.  Ability to communicate effectively with children, families and staff.  Ability to work with typically developing children and children with disabilities. 

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to speak, read, and write English well enough to understand and be understood by others.
• Ability to communicate ideas and instructions in English both orally and in writing.
• Ability to write reports and business correspondence in English.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general educational journals in English.
• Ability to present to a group in English.
• Some Bilingual fluency helpful (English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area).

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide.

REASONING SKILLS

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to exhibit patience and tact when communicating with children, families, staff, management, referral sources, and the public.
• Ability to project professionalism in conducting daily activities.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum requirement is 18 years old, high school diploma or GED and must meet one of the following options:

1. Completed one early childhood education course (ECE 101 or 103) with a course grade of “C” or better and currently enrolled/attending in a second ECE course and (12) Months (or 1,820 hours) of verified experience in the care and supervision of four (4) or more children less than six (6) years of age who are not related to the individual
2. Completed two early childhood education courses, one course must be (ECE 101 or ECE 103) with a grade of “C” or better with 6 month (910) of verified experience.
3. Obtained a B.A. or A.A. in a field unrelated to early childhood education requires 6 ECE credit hours with one of the courses either ECE 101 or ECE 103
4. A. or A.A. in a field related to early childhood education does not require any additional coursework or hours of experience

In order to comply with the Head Start of 2007, assistant teachers must have one of the following:

1. Child Development Associate Credential (or the equivalency; i.e, 12 ECE Credits)
2. Be enrolled in a CDA credential program that will be completed within 2 years from the date of hire (or the equivalency i.e., 12 ECE Credits)
3. Have an A.A. or B.A. (in any area) or be enrolled in a program leading to such a degree

CEEN HS encourages Assistant Teachers to continue to take college courses in order to obtain an AA degree to meet anticipated Head Start requirements.

It is up to each employee to provide to the E/D Specialist and the HR Generalist, updated information on the college credit courses taken.

If applicable federal, state or local Head Start or child care regulations, now or as amended in the future, contain additional requirements or qualifications for this position which are not specifically stated in this Job Description, the requirements and qualifications will apply, even if not specifically set forth in this Job Description.

Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area).  Within 30 days of employment, must obtain and continually maintain basic first aid and pediatric CPR certification (or sooner if required by local/state regulations). A clear criminal records check (including child abuse), successful completion of the Physical Aptitude screening and an initial health exam are required post job offer and prior to employment. Passing the post offer Physical Aptitude screening is a mandatory requirement for all individuals obtaining employment with CEEN.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

1. Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds.
2. Some exposure to communicable diseases.
3. Noise level in work environment may be moderate to loud.
4. Travel by car, bus, airplane or train may also be required associated with attendance at conferences, meetings and other duties carried out at distant locations in and out of state and in some cases where some overnight travel may be required.
5. Work is typically performed in a classroom setting and some office work required.
6. Some evenings and weekend work may occasionally be required for events such as home visits, parent teacher conferences, Parent Committee meetings, social and community events.
7. The physical requirements of this position require your ability to perform the following general tests (as evaluated by CEEN’s post offer screening company):

• Squat
• half kneel
• 10 lbs. overhead lift
• 40 lbs. counter lift
• Push/Pull 30 lbs.
• 5 minutes of continuous walking
• Cover 75 feet in 10 seconds

The requirements of your Job Description are important in providing services to children and families, and for keeping you, children and co-workers safe during the work day. If you are unable to perform any of the functions required in your job description due to a disability, you are invited to direct any requests for accommodation to the Executive Director.