POSITION: Teacher Aide
SUPERVISION: Teacher
POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Teacher Aide plays a crucial role in supporting the teacher within the Head Start Program, specifically catering to preschool children. This position is responsible for helping meet the educational, emotional, social, health, nutritional, and psychological needs of the children. This is a full-time role requiring eight (8) hours of work each day, five (5) days a week, for nine (9) months annually.
Job Responsibilities
- Assist the teacher in planning and maintaining a safe and clean learning environment, ensuring the well-being and safety of all children under their care.
- Maintain a positive and calm attitude, speak in a soft voice, and encourage others in the classroom to adopt the same demeanor.
- Foster a cooperative working relationship with the teacher and volunteers while planning and implementing classroom activities.
- Implement individualized program plans for each child in small group settings, providing specific support based on assessments and observations.
- Collaborate with the teacher to prepare materials and supplies in advance for daily activities.
- Participate in the planning and implementation of written lesson plans alongside the teacher.
- Ensure that every child is protected from physical punishment and verbal abuse by anyone in the classroom.
- Observe children to identify signs of illness, injury, abuse, neglect, emotional disturbance, learning disorders, speech problems, or other special needs, and immediately report any findings to the teacher.
- Sit with children during meals and snacks, eating the same type of meal as the children to foster a sense of community.
- Perform any other duties assigned by the teacher and center manager.
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
- Must be warm, friendly, and sympathetic to the objectives of the Head Start program.
