Head Start PreSchool Assistant Teacher

Job purpose

The Head Start PreSchool Assistant shares responsibility for a PreSchool classroom of 3-5 year old children.  The Assistant Teacher will work collaboratively with his/her partner Teacher to ensure the successful operation of a classroom with a total of 20 children.  S/he works collaboratively with a lead teacher, family members, and other staff to achieve positive outcomes for children of all abilities.  The HS P/S Assistant Teacher reports directly to the Assistant Director of Early Education & Care.

Working relationships 

Agency Staff

Volunteers

Families

Community Professionals

General public

Prime functions 

Implement Penfield’s chosen curriculum with fidelity, following all assigned guidance and resources.

• Know and understand Penfield’s School Readiness Goals and strive to help all children achieve them.
• Provide classroom experiences that are developmentally, linguistically, culturally and age-appropriate for the children served.
• Establish and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment, including full supervision of children at all times, in accordance with Head Start, NAEYC and childcare licensing requirements.

• Ensure classroom arrangement, materials and displays are organized and conducive to children’s learning.

• Follow weekly lesson plans and prepare to implement small-group activities, read-alouds, circle time, and other curriculum components.
• Provide children with a consistent classroom routine and facilitate all parts of the routine to support child learning.
• Interact with children intentionally throughout the day to provide differentiated support. 
• Support lead teacher with developmental and social-emotional screenings on all children within prescribed time frames.
• Contribute to theme based Individualized Learning Plans to identify specific goals and implement developmentally appropriate strategies for each child in class.
• Integrate Individual Education Plans (IEPs) or referral action plans for children with diagnosed or suspected special needs.
• Forward classroom updates to the Center Director to be included in the monthly newsletter.
• Direct developmental concerns to the Health, Nutrition and Disabilities Coordinator.
• Use observations of children and anecdotal notes to document children’s progress and individualize curriculum
• Assess children on an on-going basis. Gather and organize anecdotal notes into the key goals and objectives and document in GOLD
• Work with the teaching team to analyze child outcomes on a classroom basis twice yearly, consult with education leadership and make adjustments to curriculum planning and implementation as needed.

Establish positive and productive relationships with families through building rapport and trust. 

• Under the supervision of the lead teacher, schedule and complete two home visits and two parent-teacher conferences each year. 
• Encourage and engage family members to serve as classroom volunteers.
• Collaborate with family services staff to support families in implementing family life practices, extending learning into the home, and meeting expectations for attendance 
• Follow all guidance and expectations to support the Family Engagement Model
• Identify and refer parents wanting to volunteer in the classroom, work as substitutes or in other volunteer activities to their  Family Advocate.  Support parent volunteers in the classroom as needed
• Participate in parent orientation and ongoing parent training as required.

Participate in ongoing reflective coaching and self-assessment.

• Collaborate with the lead teacher and other staff in the center.
• Share pertinent information with family services, disabilities/mental health or health/nutrition staff, as needed, to meet the needs of individual children and families. Participate in case conferences as appropriate.

Maintains a professional commitment to program excellence:                                       

• Model appropriate classroom behavior 
• Maintain prompt hours and notify the supervisor of illness/absence.
• Monitor and appropriately utilize earned time off.
• Attend and participate in department staff meetings.
• Meet State requirements for in-service training and continuing education.
• Is familiar with Head Start Standards of Practice, Licensing Rules and NAEYC Accreditation Criterion.
• Comply with Penfield Children’s Center personnel policies.
• Is familiar with emergency procedures and is able to calmly apply them.
• Maintain a neat and orderly classroom including assisting with daily cleaning, disinfecting, laundry and general cleaning and repair of equipment.
• Provide direction and guidance to volunteers assigned to the classroom.
• Maintain accurate records of daily attendance, accident logs, food counts, food intake, and medication and weight as needed.
• Maintain a professional representation of the classroom daily activities in the classroom portfolio for accreditation. 

Assist the agency as needed:

• Perform all other duties as assigned
• Encouraged to volunteer 4 hours of time per year to a Penfield activity
• Encouraged to become a member of local/state/national organization that works to enhance quality of care for young children.

Qualifications 

• At a minimum, a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or a state awarded certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements for a CDA credential, are enrolled in a program that will lead to an associate or baccalaureate degree or are enrolled in a CDA credential program to be completed within one year from time of hire. 
• Thorough knowledge of child development and developmental disabilities in children.
• Familiarity with design and implementation of early childhood curriculum.
• Experience working with children from birth to age six and/or children with developmental delays.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail

• Excellent communication skills – written and oral.

• Computer literacy required: efficiency in Microsoft office. Ability to learn new programs. 
• High level of confidentiality and  ethics. 
• Ability to work well independently or as a member of a team. 
• Ability to adapt to changes in work priorities.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule based on program needs.
• Proficiency in the use of specialized therapy equipment (including G-tubes, oxygen, bolsters, wheelchairs etc.), or willingness to learn.
• Ability to lift or move objects of 50 lbs. or less on a daily basis. 

• Must have sufficient mobility to move- including bend, stoop, reach, lift and grasp. 
• Actively demonstrates a commitment to understanding and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. 
• Understands, exhibits and promotes the Penfield Core Values. 
• Meeting vaccine standards as outlined in the Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan 

Core Values

• Lead with Love - We welcome everyone with compassion and empathy; patience and kindness. To lead with love, we look for the best in our co-workers, our families, and ourselves.
• Grow with Us - We celebrate our successes and learn from our mistakes. We believe there is always a better way asking questions that challenge the status quo, improve our process and make our work easier. Grow with us allows us to focus on how we can improve ourselves and, in the process, better serve the children and families in our care.
• Better Together - Together, we can do amazing things. Children and families trust us and depend on us to work as a team to meet their needs. We are better together when we maximize our strengths, the gifts of our colleagues and the commitment of our amazing partners.  
• Do What it Takes - We are determined, motivated and adaptable. We solve problems. We own our work, our actions and our behaviors. We step up to help our co-workers, partners and our families. We do what it takes to get the job done right and done well. 
• Be Present - We bring our best genuine self to everything we do. Being present allows us to bring our passion and commitment to our work to ensure the best possible outcomes for Penfield.

What we Do

• We communicate effectively, give feedback honestly and receive it with an open mind
• We use data and processes to drive decisions
• We celebrate success and learn from our mistakes
• We work to find balance in our personal and professional life
• We provide the same care and compassion to our colleagues and ourselves that we share everyday with the people we serve

Penfield Children’s Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.