Teacher Assistant

Primary Function

The Teacher Assistant is to assist the teacher in providing a safe, healthy, and nurturing learning environment that fosters children’s growth and development in accordance with Head Start Program Performance Standards.

Duties

• Perform the essential functions of the Teacher in the absence of the Teacher and be fully responsible for the overall classroom activities.

• Assist with the implementation of the daily educational program utilizing the selected curriculum and following the guidance of the Head Start Program Performance Standards and TDFPS Minimum Standards for Child-Care centers.

• Assist with the implementation of lesson plans and activities following the classroom’s selected curriculum.

• Collaborate with Teacher to plan and prepare materials needed to implement instruction.

• Assist the Teacher in setting up learning centers on a daily basis.

• Assist with the implementation of family style meal service to include table setting, serving meals and clean up.

• Assist the Teacher in the implementation of an Individual Educational Plan.

• Assist in maintaining a healthy, safe, and orderly learning environment.

• Assist the Teacher in the supervision of children under care at all times.

• Assist in the implementation of positive guidance techniques to include redirecting children’s unacceptable behaviors and reinforcing desired positive behaviors.

• Maintain child/staff ratio at all times and follow shift change procedures and arrival/departure activity plans.

• Assist with the developmental screening of each child.

• Maintain positive relationships with children, staff and parents.

• Work closely with the teacher in carrying out the daily classroom activities.

• Assist with the implementation of family style meal service to include table setting, serving meals and clean up.

• Assist the teacher in the implementation of an Individual Educational Plan.

• Assist in maintaining a healthy, safe, and orderly learning environment.

• Maintain positive disciple and guidance through redirecting negative behavior and reinforcing desired positive behaviors.
• Communicate child progress and concerns to the teacher.

• Support early childhood development.

• Work with children with special needs, different ethnic or cultural backgrounds or language.

• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

• Reporting Child Abuse – Responsible to report child abuse and neglect or suspected child abuse and neglect in accordance with the policy set forth in the PCI Employee Handbook, Head Start Performance Standards, and applicable state laws regarding child abuse.

• Confidentiality of Information – Responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of information pertaining to children, families, and staff as outlined in the Head Start Performance Standards, and PCI Employee Handbook.

• Code of Conduct – Responsible to abide by all standards of conduct as outlined in the Head Start Performance Standards, and PCI Employee Handbook

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge and comprehension of all aspects of the Head Start Program Performance Standards, and TDFPS Minimum Standards for Child Care Centers.

• Ability to interpret and implement all standards and guidelines as they pertain to the Early Childhood Development Program, CACFP, TDFPS Minimum Standards and the Head Start Performance Standards.

• Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written form. Ability to relate sensitively to preschool children.

• Ability to observe record and report significant individual and group behavior.

• Able to plan, evaluate, make intelligent decisions and handle crisis. Able to supervise children.

• Ability to work with individuals with special needs, different ethnic or cultural backgrounds or language.

Supervision

Received:

Work is performed under general supervision of the ECC.

Given:

None

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in a child development center environment.

• Moderate walking, standing, stooping, sitting, kneeling, bending and twisting, pushing/pulling, overhead reaching/reaching and keyboarding.

• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress.

• May be required to work more than 40 hours during the workweek, work late and/or on weekends.

• Subject to visual acuity, speech/hearing, hand/eye coordination, and manual dexterity.

• Ability to lift 5 -10 pounds frequently, 10 – 50 pounds occasionally, more than 50 pounds infrequently

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not intended to be interpreted as a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees in this position. Management retains the right to modify, add or delete duties of any positions.