Associate Teacher- Brucker

A. GENERAL SUMMARY OF THE POSITION
This position works as a part of a teaching team to assist the Teacher in the preparation, planning, and
execution of the daily operations of the Head Start classroom, including building relationships with families,
taking on the Teacher role during teacher planning, and occasional and/or extended absences and
implementing the Head Start Performance Standards. This position works with families to promote parent
involvement in the program. The Associate Teacher may be assigned additional duties based on program
needs and areas of expertise for developing the program. This position works along with the Teacher to attain
the goals of the program. The position may be reassigned to various classrooms/centers as deemed
necessary for program operations.

B. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION
The duties of the position are described in the major functional areas listed below. Additional duties may be
assigned. Professional Development:
●Attends all required training and workshops, including online training and cluster meetings, as required
by Head Start and Michigan State Licensing.
● Maintains Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) and works toward obtaining an Associate’s
degree.
● Remains up-to-date on information that pertains to the needs of the children in the program, including
Head Start Performance Standards, childcare licensing regulations, and other applicable regulations
and practices.
● Keeps up to date on Developmentally Appropriate Practice
● Maintains knowledge of the regulations associated with the prevention of occupational disease and
injury, including the exercise of universal precautions and the prevention of contamination.
● Able to work with children at all levels of development.
● Maintains professional certification that the employee was hired with or obtained to meet Head Start
and ISD standards.
● Successfully completes and maintains basic First Aid, CPR certification, and required licensing training.
● Actively participates in opportunities for continuous professional development.
Preschool Program Implementation:
● Assists in all aspects of the classroom and other service areas of the program.
● Participates in recruitment activities and transportation services
● Assumes the role of Teacher when required, implementing all aspects of the program.
● Assists with the delivery of Head Start services as defined by Head Start Performance Standards and
Saginaw ISD Head Start Operational Procedures.
● Assists in establishing a safe, healthy, stimulating, and developmentally appropriate learning
environment for children between the ages of birth to five years old with all abilities.
● Ensure that learning environments are safe from hazards, free from clutter, and allow for visibility of
children by utilizing the Daily Health and Safety Checklist.
● Fosters self-esteem, self-direction, self-control, and school readiness skills with preschool children by
using positive methods and modeling and participating in curriculum development and implementation.
● Supports social and emotional development and provides positive guidance and discipline, including
the ability to support and guide students with challenging behaviors using developmentally appropriate
practices.

Approved by SISD Head Start/Early Head Start Policy Council

May 15, 2025

2 of

● Complies with program curriculum, curriculum overlays, and supplemental curriculum, State of
Michigan Licensing for child care centers, and the Head Start Program Performance Standards
● Assists in screening, observing, and assessing children’s development on a regular basis, analyzing
data, and making plans or referrals specific to the needs of the individual child.
● Participates in recruitment activities
● Supervises and eats nutritionally prepared meals with the children as a curriculum activity to model
good nutrition, proper social skills, and language stimulation in a family-style environment as listed in
the Head Start Performance Standards.
● Assists with identifying and arranging for parents to volunteer in the classroom.
● Assists the Teacher with collecting monthly in-kind records from parents and community members
participating in the program.
● Assists with kitchen duties as necessary, i.e., warming up food, dishing food into bowls, taking food
temperatures, and cleaning the refrigerator and warmer.
● Assists with bus aide duties as necessary, i.e., riding the bus, completing bus paperwork, and buckling
children in seats on the bus.
● Staff may be asked to cover other classrooms to meet licensing ratios.

C. KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
● Knowledge of the purpose of the Head Start/Early Head Start program