HS - Teacher Assistant

Job Summary: 
Incumbent works collaboratively in partnership with the classroom teacher for the establishment, maintenance and management of classroom activities. 
Major Responsibilities/Activities: 
Interaction between Staff and Children 

•    Maintain confidentiality about issues concerning other staff members, children and families of Enrichment Services Program.
•    Understand and demonstrate knowledge of ages and stages of development. Understand the general areas of physical, social, cognitive and emotional development for this age group.
•    Staff interact frequently, affectionately, and respectfully by smiling, touching, and holding children. Speak in a friendly, calm, soft, courteous manner within close proximity of the child.
•    Staff respect and observe children's interests. Intervene when needed to maintain safety. Enhance children's play with language, toys, and activities.
•    Staff communicates directly with each child at the child's level.
•    Engage and communicate constructively with individual children during activities and routines. Take every opportunity to positively extend children's thinking and actions.
•    Assist and be responsive to children's needs, questions, and requests.
•    Encourage and model social behavior and expectations which are developmentally appropriate.
•    Acknowledge feelings with sensitivity and demonstrate appropriate expression of emotions.
•    Practice positive discipline techniques in guiding children's behavior according to NAEYC.
•    Be attentive, flexible and supportive of children and their families during transitions to and from classrooms.
•    Assist in implementing daily lesson plans and daily schedules.
•    Assist with recording daily observation in Teaching Strategies GOLD
•    Assist in organizing and maintaining learning centers within the classroom.
•    Recruit volunteers and solicits in-kind contributions.
•    Attend meetings, trainings and workshop as required.
•    Maintain cleanliness of classrooms and adjoining restrooms.
•    Serve as an advocate for the Head Start Program, families and children.

•    Perform other duties as assigned.
•    Implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum which reflects observations and assessments of individual children and goals jointly developed with parents/guardians.

Physical Environment, Health, Safety and Nutrition:

•    Maintain and follow all safety and health mies of the location.
•    Supervise children at all times. Demonstrate awareness of entire group while working with a small group or individuals.
•    Know the number of children in your group and maintain ratios at all times.
•    Maintain accurate attendance records throughout the day.
•    Complete appropriate paperwork (i.e., accidents, medication, and allergies).
•    Encourage children to utilize appropriate health, safety and nutritional practices.
•    Keep environment and equipment safe, clean, and attractive. Encourage respect for classroom materials. Notify designated individual in advance when supplies are needed.
•    'Assist in arrangement of space into clearly defined, well organized activity areas.
•    Organize a variety of materials on low, open shelves for children to use independently.

Minimum Requirements:

•    Early Childhood Education (ECE) Diploma; Current Child Development Associate (CDA) or Associate Degree in ECE or equivalent credentials, AND
•    Minimum of one year work experience in a childcare setting.

Essential Mental Functions:

Ability to communicate effectively with parents, children and staff

Essential Physical Functions: 
Incumbent is regularly required to walk, sit, use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. Regularly required to stand, climb, balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. 
Regularly lift and/or move up to ten (10) pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to twenty five (25) pounds. Specific vision abilities requi