Job Description

To assist the teacher and cooperate in a supportive role in providing a successful, safe and supervised educational setting for children while they are in the Head Start environment (classroom, outdoor play area, and field trips). Assist with designing, planning and carrying out developmentally appropriate daily experiences that meet all component areas of Head Start, school readiness goals established by the program and the individual needs of each child. Assist in developing individual goals for children, providing on-going assessment on progress and facilitating transition into kindergarten. Encourage parent involvement in all aspects of the program. Must meet requirements per Federal Head Start Performance Standards and any state or agency policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Insure a safe and healthy learning environment

Assist in providing children with a learning environment and the varied experiences, which will help them develop socially, intellectually, physically and emotionally. Assist with maintaining a clean, orderly, physical environment conducive to optimal growth and development of children. Help ensure that the building, classroom and playground area is maintained in a clean and orderly fashion through completion of safety checklists. Help build a healthy environment where children and adults can interact freely and constructively in a group setting. Integrate the educational aspects of the various Head Start components in the daily program of activities.

Advance physical and intellectual competence

Assist with developmental screening and assessments on each child. Accept each child at his/her own developmental level and individualize a plan to help each child grow to the maximum of his/her ability. Encourage children to practice physical and cognitive school readiness skills by solving problems, initiating activities, exploring, experimenting and questioning by engaging in intentionally planned learning activities. Assist with providing opportunities daily where children are free to choose where they wish to play. Assure that staff and materials are available and accessible to the children. Utilize playground time as a learning experience for the children and as a continuation of the classroom theme. Participate in all indoor and outdoor activities with the children.

Support social and emotional development and provide guidance

Assist with providing children with an environment of acceptance that will help each child build ethnic pride, develop a positive self-concept, enhance his/her individual strengths and develop positive social relationships to support school readiness. Use Minds in Motion maze, 2nd Step Curriculum, and Challenging Behavior Policy. Help each child find acceptable social behavior for out-of-control emotions and moods by using 2nd Step rules consistently.

Establish positive and productive relationships with children and families

Help each child's parent(s) or guardian(s) realize that their child is unique and special with their own strengths and weaknesses. Model positive self-esteem building behaviors when working with children. Adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) to insure high quality teacher-child interactions. Establish a good rapport with families by making home visits, having parent/teacher conferences and by helping parents interpret their child's developmental screenings. Encourage parent engagement in program activities, planning, classroom volunteering, assisting on field trips, in-home activities, parent meetings, trainings, workshops, and parent and child together time. Model manners, health, hygiene, speech and safety. Assist with the recruitment of volunteers and orientation of volunteers in the classroom / education procedures. Assist in the volunteer evaluation. Encourage parents and families to develop warm relationships that nurture their child's learning and development. Encourage parents and families to become lifelong educators by observing, guiding, promoting and participating in the everyday learning of their children at home, school and in their communities. Encourage parents and families to support and advocate for their child's learning and development as they transition to new learning environments, including EHS to HS, EHS/HS to other early learning environments, and HS to kindergarten through elementary school.

Insure a well-run, purposeful program responsive to the participants needs

Provide a balanced program of staff-directed and child-directed activities. Maintain screening, anecdotal notes, and assessments in organized files on each child. Take part in family case conferences and challenging behavior conferences. Report any suspected cases of child abuse or neglect, as required by law, in accordance with agency policies and procedures. Submit documentation to the early education supervisor. Participate in staff meetings, family meetings, training and any other assigned meetings. Assist with daily attendance records and documentation of excused absences. Contact the family case manager concerning a child's absence of three consecutive days or any child with an irregular attendance pattern. Contribute to the agency's full compliance with the Head Start Performance Standards and all written component plans. Help implement all objectives and policies. Maintain daily health and safety and playground checklists and give documentation to the early education supervisor. Assist with the recruitment of eligible children for the Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Assist with gathering and accurately documenting in-kind. Perform additional duties as deemed necessary by the Director of Children's Services or designee.

Maintain a commitment to professionalism

Maintain confidentiality at all times. Participate in pre-service and in-service trainings, workshops, seminars and conferences to up-date professional growth and development. Attend CLASS overview training conducted annually by the ECE Specialist or Early Education Supervisor and required. Meet monthly with the early education supervisor to share information, problems and concerns as well as discussing professional development opportunities and implementation. Participate in reflective self-evaluation each month. Create and adhere to career and position goals

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Must have high school diploma or GED. Child Development Associate credential (CDA) in preschool setting is preferred. If employee does not have a CDA, he/she must obtain the credential within two years of hire as an assistant teacher. Pre-school (ages 3-5) classroom teaching experience is desired. Experience should include the ability to adapt curriculum to meet the needs of all children including at risk, special needs, gifted, and culturally diverse populations. Must have a valid Indiana Driver's License and proof of insurance. Must have a reliable personal vehicle available for use in business related travel. Must submit to a criminal history background check. Must obtain a physical within 30 days of hire and update every two years.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Problem solving abilities. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Intermediate computer skills, internet and e-mail. Good organizational skills with sensitivity to detail. Must be flexible and non-resistant to change. Ability to work as a team member collaborating with staff, parents and community resources. Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with families. Ability to supervise pre-school children and ensure a safe environment including the ability to monitor and respond to events going on at all times in classroom, outdoor play areas and on field trips. This includes physical ability to move quickly in order to respond to children who are very active and may need restraint or redirection in order to insure their safety or the safety of others in the environment. Ability to respond appropriately to an emergency or a crisis situation. Must be able to understand, interpret and implement policies and procedures. Daily kneeling, stooping, bending and sitting on the floor to attend to children's needs. Occasional lifting up to 50 lbs. Must be available for overnight travel, evening and weekend work as required. Must be supportive of the missions of Hoosier Uplands Economic Development Corporation and the Children's Services Division.
Please send cover letter, resume, and references to:

Diane Budd, Early Education Supervisor
Mitchell Head Start
1240 Orchard Street
Mitchell, IN 47446

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary

Pay: $13.00 - $14.50 per hour

Benefits:

401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Professional development assistance Vision insurance
Work Location: In person