Teacher Associate/Assistant

Summary Assist, as directed by the Teacher, in planning and implementing the classroom routine, according to the Head Start Program Performance Standards. Supervise and operate classroom in absence of Teacher. The Head Start Teacher Associate must build and maintain relationships with enrolled families while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality. The Teacher Associate will regularly communicate with and assist the Family Engagement Coordinators to identify families and children in need of social services. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Education and Child Development Program Services • Assist in creating a developmentally appropriate environment for children that will incorporate and encourage the use of language, social, cognitive, and motor skills of each child. Work with children individually and in groups. • Assist in preparing and carry out weekly lesson plans with developmentally appropriate activities incorporating all of The Head Start Child Development and Early Learning Framework and the Iowa Early Learning Standards. • Encourage parent involvement through volunteering in classroom, parent conferences, home visits, curriculum planning, parent meetings, parent training and education activities that is responsive to parent needs. • Provide an environment of respect for each individual child through use of language experiences, encouragement of emotional expression by the child, and a balance of child initiated and adult initiated activities. • Demonstrate knowledge of, and implements, developmentally appropriate practices and early childhood development. • Assist teacher in completing child assessment three times per year and enter weekly documentation of children’s development. • Provide inclusion of children with disabilities consistent with their Individual Education Plan (IEP) and attend IEP meetings as needed. Health Program Services • Must collaborate with parents as partners in the health and well-being of their children in a linguistically and culturally appropriate manner and communicate with parents about their child’s health needs and development concerns in a timely manner. • Make determination of a child’s health status. Refer families to appropriate primary/ongoing healthcare, which includes medical, dental, and mental health and any follow up treatments or refer to Health/Nutrition Coordinator for assistance. • Assist in completing the developmental and behavioral assessment screening on all children including parent input in this process. • Assist with the completion and supervision of cleaning and maintenance of the classroom, restrooms, storage areas, kitchen and any building areas that the program uses. • Assist families in meeting each child’s nutritional needs, which include implementing the food program requirements. Assist in providing nutritional education information to families. • Assist in collaborating with children, families, staff, mental health professionals and the community to enhance awareness/understanding of mental wellness and early child development. • Assist Health/Nutrition Coordinator in acquiring required health/wellness documentation from families Family and Community Engagement Program Services • Learns and follows all Head Start policies and procedures pertaining to Family Engagement and ERSEA. • Assist the Family Engagement Coordinators in the development of the Family Partnership Assessment with families, and support and assist families in meeting their goals, nurture the development of their children within their family, and advocate for communities that are supportive of children and families of all cultures. • Assist with recruitment, coordinating, supervising, and training of volunteers in the classroom. • Assist the Family Engagement Coordinators in maintaining documentation of Family Engagement requirements. • Assist in completing two home visits and two parent conferences per year. Staff may need to conduct additional home visits and conferences if the need arises. • Assist families with transitional activities into Head Start and from Head Start to other educational settings. • Assist in creating/updating Community Resource information and ensuring families are aware of these. • Document and communicate information obtained through family contacts as required by Family Engagement Coordinators. • Collaborate with and the Family Engagement Coordinators and other classroom staff regarding classroom family events, Parent Committee meetings and encourage community-wide events. • Communicate with Family Engagement Coordinators and other classroom staff as needed to identify needs and community referrals for individual families. • Assist Family Engagement/Enrollment Coordinator as needed for all activities, including applications, eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment and attendance. • Must be willing to participate in on-going professional development. • Must attend community collaboration opportunities when schedule allows. • Must be flexible with schedule and hours to accommodate Family Events, home visits, and conferences, etc. • Encourage regular classroom attendance per Attendance Policy. Skills, Knowledge, And Abilities • Must be able to assume responsibility and work as a team member. • Must follow the Program Ethical Code of Conduct. • Attend all training workshops and in-services as required by the agency and state licensing regulations. • Have knowledge or are willing to learn of MATURA services/referral system and ability to implement the system. • Assist in the implementation of the Head Start Program Performance Standards. • Must possess knowledge of the ChildPlus.com data system. • Learn and assist with the implementation of the DHS Licensing laws/regulations. • Communicate with management, center staff, families, and various business and community contacts in a professional and courteous manner. • Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills. • Maintain and complete assigned paperwork meeting required deadlines. • Skill in organizational and time management to meet all program requirements. • Assist in maintaining and coordinating daily operations of the classroom center to meet Head Start Program Performance Standards. • Assist with, as directed, providing training on Program requirements to volunteers and parents. • Handle confidential information with discretion. • Maintain regular attendance and be punctual. • Learn of the community resources/serve as a liaison between the program, family, and community by attending interagency meetings. • Document referrals and follow-up in a timely manner. • Encourage parent involvement through volunteering, parent activity meetings, Policy Council, and parent committees. • Promote monthly In-Kind and assist with meeting In-Kind requirements. • Establish and maintain positive working relationships with Head Start families, staff, management, and various other business and community contacts. • Must have current physical (within 6 months of date of hire), and every 2 years thereafter. • Must have access to transportation with valid vehicle liability insurance, and current driver’s license. • Must be able to work in a professional manner with a partnering child care center, Public School District, and the program landlord (on-site setting). • Willing to learn, or are knowledgeable in, the use equipment in the classroom (Example – computer, laminator, copier, etc.) • Assist with the maintenance of the facility/equipment. This would include cleaning and sanitation of bathrooms, classroom storage areas and all areas used by your center program. (Refer to the Program Monthly Requirements, Classroom Cleaning and sanitation schedule, and the Food Service/Classroom Aide cleaning schedule for specific duties.)