Head Start Teaching Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY:

As part of the education team, under the general direction of the Education Coordinator, with support from the Teacher, the Teacher Assistant helps plan and participates in classroom, playground, and field trip activities. These activities are designed to foster or enhance all areas of the child's development.

This job description is illustrative and not all-inclusive.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist teacher, guide and facilitate activities of the children, including: daily activities, field trips, selecting and arranging equipment and materials in the classroom;
• Assist staff and classroom groups to help maintain and meet the needs of the children;
• Write weekly observations reports per assessment procedure;
• Use home visits and parent conferences to discuss the child's individual development and progress,
• Assist parents in developing observational skills and solicit parent observations;
• Assist children in development of social and self-help skills, and sound nutritional practices;
• Meet with mental health consultant monthly to discuss mental health needs of children;
• Guide children's acquisition of social skills;
• Attend staff training and meetings, and board and parent meetings as requested;
• Assist in providing and maintaining a safe and healthy developmentally appropriate environment;
• Assist in conducting the daily health and environment check list;
• Assist in implementing children's I.E.P. (Individual Education Plan) or I.F.S.P. (Individual Family Service Plan) seeking clarification for any aspects that are not well understood;
• Assist in recruiting and orienting volunteers, providing them with guidance as needed;
• Assist the teacher in the completion of required reports;
• Complete timely and accurate time sheets;
• Assist, as requested, in transition activities;
• Distribute newsletters, flyers, and other information to families as instructed by the supervisor;
• Actively participate in the development and implementation of the Teacher Assistant Professional Development Plan;
• May require Head Start preschool classroom coverage, data entry tasks, eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance (ERSEA), filing paperwork or entering confidential information into a database, and be flexible instances where the reassignment of duties may deem necessary to meet programmatic objectives.
• Perform other duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrates understanding of Head Start philosophy.
• Understanding of the principles, practices and current state of child health and nutrition;
• Experience working with infants, toddlers or preschoolers;
• Familiarity with community resources;
• Successful experience working in a team setting;
• Ability to present a positive image of the organization to members of the community;
• Ability to work with the Teacher to plan, organize and implement position responsibilities effectively, providing input;
• Perform the functions of this position with a strong understanding of the Head Start Performance Standards and the component plans;
• Visual and auditory acuity within professionally determined normal ranges, with correction if need;
• Operate a computer and office equipment, including, but not limited to, the telephone, fax machine, copier, and tape recorder
• Able to participate in grantee and delegate component pre-service training;
• Able to implement selected curricula in the classroom;
• Must be able to travel.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or GED certificate and (1) year experience working with children.
• Must have or obtain a First Aid/CPR Certification one month after hired.
• Meet any criteria requirements set forth by the funding source;
• Valid New Mexico Driver's License and insurable through the Tribe's insurance carrier;
• Must not have any DUI/DWI convictions within the last five (5) years from any Tribal, State or

Federal Court;

• Must pass a background check successfully; and
• Must pass a drug/alcohol screening.
• Must complete a physical examination with PPD on file.

PHYSICAL/WORK ENVIORNMENT:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 55 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 55 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee is frequently exposed to high, precarious places and outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Travel may be periodically required for training, meetings and presentations and incumbent may be required to work occasional nights and/or weekends.