Teacher Assistant : Head Start (46 wk)

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 his or her 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.

Key Responsibilities

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

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

SKILLS, ABILITIES & KNOWLEDGE

Professionalism

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 :

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 Associates 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.

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