Early Head Start Assistant Teacher

Position Purpose:
To assist the teacher and cooperate in a supportive role carrying out developmentally appropriate activities. To promote the health, nutrition and education of the children and to attend to their safety and welfare.

To transport children to and from school and special activities. To assist the bus driver in providing safe and punctual transportation to and from classroom sites. Observe and monitor behavior of children, interact with parents and staff to promote the well being of children.

Essential Job Responsibilities / Performance Indicators:

Classroom Time (Approx 40-50%)

• Assist in setting up environment (indoor/outdoor) for the activities of the day.
• Use developmentally appropriate practices to facilitate activities with groups and individuals.
• Observe and record behaviors of children to assist the teacher in the identification of each child's strengths and areas to grow.
• Participate in monthly staffing of children with all staff as appropriate.
• Work with and encourage parent and community volunteers.
• Integrate all Head Start components into classroom time.
• Utilize lesson plans which reflect mandated elements, parental and cultural influences, and promote the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of Head Start children.
• Follow a consistent schedule, which includes small and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, skill development, three meals, and effective transitions between activities.
• Encourage experimentation, exploration, problem solving, cooperation, socialization, and choice making; ask open-ended questions and listen respectfully to the answers.
• Provide an atmosphere that promotes and reinforces parental involvement in the classroom.
• Work with special needs staff in the classroom to develop a collaborative approach that benefits all children in the classroom and meets the needs as specified on the IEP.
• Sanitize classroom equipment and laundry.
• Assist with meal service as needed.

Bus Driver/Bus Monitor ( 30 - 40%)

• Assist children in boarding and exiting the bus.
• Transport all children to and from scheduled location.
• Complete daily sign on & off sheets, accounting by name all children getting on and off the bus.
• Ensure that all children are secured in weight/height appropriate seatbelts or restraints and that while seated all adults use available seatbelts.
• Visually observe the health of each child on the bus.
• Ensure that any behavioral issues do not compromise the safety of any child on the bus or the ability of the bus driver to safely operate the vehicle.
• Use age appropriate communication skills with children on bus.
• Collaborate with the bus driver to ensure that each child is delivered to the care of a responsible adult (authorized list) upon leaving bus.
• Ensure that the responsible adult (authorized list) signs for the child upon leaving the bus.
• Follow all safety rules and regulations while operating school bus.
• Ensure that no child is ever left unattended while on the bus, following all procedures put in place to prevent a child being left behind.
• Assist the bus driver with any emergency situations following all rules and regulations as they pertain to school bus safety and child health.
• Fill out accident/incident reports as appropriate.

Maintenance & Communications (10%)

• Assist driver with keeping inside of vehicle picked up.
• Responsible to do walkthrough of bus (looking for children and or items left behind) prior to being dropped off
• Assist driver with evacuation drills.
• Assist with paperwork flow between homes and sites.
• Maintain positive communications with parents, drivers and site staff, relaying information to appropriate parties as needed.
• Attend any trainings or meetings as required by Transportation Manager

Written Documentation & Misc. (15-25%)

• Assist Teacher in maintaining accurate written records, including: assessments, IEP documentation, screening instruments, anecdotal observations, and other required forms