Job Description

Job Summary:

The Assistant Teacher will be responsible for maintaining a cooperative, harmonious relationship with professionals and others within Head Start Program setting, while providing coverage for teachers in the classroom.

Essential Functions/Key Responsibilities:

Classroom and Curriculum

• Assume the duties and responsibilities of the Teacher when the Teacher is away from the classroom.
• Support the implementation of classroom curriculum and document individualizations for primary teachers to upload in Teaching Strategies Gold
• Monitor, support and assist children’s individual needs.
• Maintain clean, safe, healthy and developmentally appropriate environments (e.g. gym, outdoors, classroom, etc.)
• Support positive nutrition and engage in conversations during family-style meals.
• Support children’s acquisition of self-help skills (e.g. dressing, toileting, washing hands, and brushing teeth.)
• Support classroom teachers in the facilitation of self-control in children by using consistent, positive guidance techniques such as; listening, reinforcement and redirection.

Family Engagement

• Support parent engagement and school readiness goals and activities to foster strong home-school connections as assigned by Education Supervisor/Case Management Supervisor.
• Support Family Advocate in community outreach and recruitment.

Programmatic

• Maintain confidentiality and high level of professionalism at all times.
• Provide classroom coverage for vacations, preparation/planning and/or call outs.
• Provide coverage to intake at the discretion of the Education Supervisor/Case Management Supervisor.
• Upholds the goals, mission and values of the GLCAC and Head Start programs.
• Maintain compliance with all federal, state and local regulations related to MA Department of Early Education and Care, QRIS, NAEYC and Head Start regulations.
• Must establish and maintain effective communication with those contacted in the course of work.
• Assist with other cross component activities as assigned by the Education/Case Management Supervisors.
• If bilingual may be asked to act as interpreter and translator.
• Participate in professional development, reflective supervisions and attend monthly staff meetings.
• Support school readiness activities and parent engagement.
• Other duties as assigned based on the program’s needs.

Skills & Qualifications:

Associate or Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field preferred and one to five years teaching experience preferred.

• Must have High School Diploma or GED.
• In process of achieving at least a Child Development Associate (CDA) or preferred degree within first year of employment.
• Must have an EEC Teacher Preschool certificate through the Department of Early Education and Care or in process.
• Desire to work with low income, culturally diverse, and at-risk families and individuals. Experience preferred.
• Must be able to meet the physical demands of an active learning environment; bending, sitting, walking, standing for 30 minute intervals and the ability to get up and down. 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work in a fast-paced, growing and changing environment.
• Must have the ability to follow instructions and perform duties with minimum supervision
• Assistant Teacher must maintain a positive relationship with parents, children, and co-workers 
• The position requires punctuality and reliability 
• Must have use of a car/means of transportation and valid Driver’s License.
• Flexible schedule is required to meet the needs of our children and families; including some evenings/weekends.
• Ability to read, write, and express oneself in English required. 
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) desirable. 
• CPR and First Aid certificate preferred or ability to maintain CPR/ FA within 30 days of hire.
• Show documented proof of current physical exam, negative TB test and proof of MMR immunity.  (Hepatitis B immunity is advisable). 
• Must have a suitable CORI, SORI & DCF background check on file prior to employment.
• Must have a suitable fingerprint check completed within the first thirty (30) days of employment.
• Ability to work effectively with and meet the needs of people from a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures, and identities, including underserved communities and people from the different racial groups, socioeconomic statuses, nationalities, and languages that make up GLCAC’s clientele, to support the agency’s mission of building a more diverse, equitable and inclusive organization for employees and clients alike.

Other:

Supervisory Responsibility:  None

Travel:   Required for meetings, training, and off-site events.

Physical Demands: This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing all day. The employee must frequently lift and/or move items over 50 pounds.

Work Environment: This job operates in a professional office environment and uses standard office equipment, such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

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