Characteristics of Work

Under the direction of the Teacher, the Teacher Assistant is responsible for assisting the Teacher in planning and organizing; implementing activities; record-keeping and reporting; supervising and guiding; training; and supporting and collaborating to ensure the delivery of comprehensive services to children, including those with disabilities, enrolled in the Head Start program. Incumbents are expected to assist in providing all children with a safe, nurturing, engaging, enjoyable, and secure learning environment in order to help them gain the confidence necessary to succeed in their present environment and to deal with later responsibilities in school and life.

Essential Functions

These essential functions include, but are not limited to:

Planning and Developing

• Assist in preparing and implementing daily plans, schedules, and activities in accordance with the Division of Children’s Services’ work plan.
• Share in arranging classroom space into well-organized learning centers.
• Assist in planning field trips in accordance with program schedules and field trip plans.
• Assist in determining the need for classroom supplies and equipment.
• Assist in always providing positive discipline and supervision for children.
• Assist in establishing classroom, playground, and school bus safety rules with children.
• Accompany the Teacher on a minimum of two (2) scheduled home visits per child per program year.

Implementing Activities

• Demonstrate and encourage good health and safety practices.
• Assist in maintaining a clean, safe, and healthy learning environment.
• Demonstrate and encourage good eating habits in accordance with the agency’s family-style meal service procedures.
• Participate in two staff-parent conferences per child per program year.
• Ride with Bus Drivers as assigned.

Record Keeping and Reporting

• Assist in documenting and maintaining required children’s records in the Galileo computerized assessment program.
• Report cases of suspected child abuse/neglect in accordance with state law.

Communicating and Guiding

• Meet, greet, observe, and assess children daily.
• Recruit volunteers and in-kind contributions.
• Serve on program committees and boards of other organizations affiliated with children and families.

Training and Supporting

• Participate in staff meetings, parent meetings, and training sessions.
• Participate in educational and professional training as required to maintain appropriate credentials.

Additional Responsibilities

Perform other duties and assignments as directed by the supervisor.

Qualifications

A. A. Degree (any field) or Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential and one (1) year of experience working with preschool children.

Special Requirements

Applicant must:

Ø pass Criminal Background and Child Abuse Central Registry checks

Ø meet State health requirements

Ø have the ability to communicate effectively

Ø demonstrate proper use of grammar, legible manuscript, and cursive writing

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, use hands to fingers, hand or feel objects when interacting with children. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 40 lbs if necessary to lift a child. While performing the duties of this job, the employee primarily works in an indoor environment.

Supervisory Control

The Teacher Assistant is directly responsible to the Teacher, who is responsible to the Center Administrator. The Teacher Assistant will be evaluated at least semi-annually by the Teacher. The evaluation will be conducted through performance monitoring and progress reviews conducted by the Children’s Services Specialist in collaboration with the Teacher and Center Administrator. The evaluation will be reviewed by the Director of Children’s Services.

Hinds County Human Resource Agency will provide reasonable accommodation for any known disability that an otherwise qualified employee might have to assist the employee in performing essential job duties, provided that these accommodations do not result in an undue hardship for the Agency. This job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards for the position. Incumbents may be required to follow instructions and perform other duties required by their supervisor.