Head Start Teacher Assistant

Head Start Teacher Assistant – Turner Child Development Center Location: Quanah, Texas Employer: Rolling Plains Management Corporation (RPMC) Status: Full-Time, 30-40 hours per week, mostly Monday-Friday, but hours may be varied by the Center Director to accommodate all hours the Center is open. This is a school year position. Position Summary: Rolling Plains Management Corporation is seeking applicants for the position of a Head Start Teacher Assistant at the Turner Child Development Center in Quanah, Texas. Responsible to the Center Director, the Teacher Assistant assists the Lead Teacher in implementing their respective program and meeting all required regulations to provide a safe and healthy educational environment and an environment conducive to learning for enrolled children and their families. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Benefits Package: RPMC offers its full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes: Medical (mostly employer-paid) and employer paid dental, and vision insurance $25,000 life insurance policy at no cost to employee Dependent care FSA (up to $5000 per year provided by employer) Telemedicine, tele-counseling, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Matching 401K plan Paid sick leave, vacation leave, and 14 paid holidays Voluntary benefits: critical illness, accident, long-term disability, and supplemental life insurance PRIMARY JOB FUNCTIONS: Demonstrate knowledge of the Head Start Performance Standards policies and procedures. Demonstrate knowledge of Child Care Licensing Minimum Standards. Follow the Head Start Performance Standards, all RPMC policies and procedures, and the EHS written educational plan. Assist the Lead Teacher in planning and maintaining a safe, clean learning environment and assure the well-being and safety of children in her/his care. Establish a caring professional relationship and a climate of mutual trust and respect for families of diverse backgrounds and cultures. Assist the Lead Teacher in planning and implementing activities with children between the ages of 3 and 5, with the curriculum provided and with Head Start-mandated outcomes. Maintain a cooperative attitude of working with center staff, volunteers, parents, and program specialists to plan and implement classroom activities. Assist the Lead Teacher planning and implementing developmentally appropriate daily activities that engage children in literacy, language, and math activities using songs, books, and games that are integrated with themes/topics in line with the curriculum. Assist the Lead Teacher in using assessment information to interact individually with children during learning center activities. Maintain accurate and current assessment information, noting the child's progress across all developmental domains utilizing anecdotal notes and/or examples of children's work. Assist the Lead Teacher with all paperwork in a timely and accurate manner, including home visit forms, parent/teacher conference forms, lesson plans, and transition forms. Assist the Lead Teacher in developing and implementing weekly lesson plans that are consistent with the program curriculum and HS guidelines. Encourage and model language expansion, extended learning, and problem-solving strategies throughout the day. Use positive methods of child guidance in accordance with the established discipline and guidance policy. Assure the child-staff ratio of 2 staff up to 20 children (depending on the age of the group) is maintained at all times. Monitor children on the playground to ensure safe and appropriate play and monitor play areas to ensure the safety and cleanliness of the equipment. Ensure all children are visible at all times. Respond to crisis or emergency situations that may occur by providing First Aid or CPR, preventing the spread of blood-borne pathogens, and assessing the need for emergency services. Be aware of the legal and professional responsibilities of protecting all children from physical punishment or verbal abuse by anyone in any program and immediately report any such incident to the appropriate Supervisor. Observe children to detect signs of illness, injury, emotional disturbances, learning disorders, speech problems, or other special needs. Report those signs immediately to the Director for required or necessary follow-up. Observe children for any suspected or disclosed signs of child abuse or child neglect and report them immediately following the RPMC Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting Policy and Procedures. Sit with children during meal times and consume the same "Type A" lunch as children, providing a model for good nutritional habits (unless prohibited by dietary or doctor concerns). Assist in completing home visits and parent-teacher conferences as required. Work cooperatively with the Lead Teacher assigned to her/his classroom as a team to involve all parents with their children and to encourage the active participation of all parents and volunteers in the program. Maintain accurate attendance records daily. Work cooperatively with ERSEA and the Family Service Specialist, following up on all absent children and contacting the parents to determine the reason for their absence. Safeguard all classroom supplies and equipment and account for any misused, damaged, or missing supplies or equipment. Responsible for cleaning and general maintenance of the classroom. Participate and attend all staff meetings, training, and certification courses as required by local, state, and/or federal mandates. Recruit and engage supporters to ensure the program secures the required federal in-kind match. Recruit eligible children, including those with disabilities, for the program. Assure confidentiality of all children, families, and co-workers; maintain confidentiality at all times regarding enrolled children and their family information, records, and interaction with staff. No information will be released without the permission of the program director, court order, or written permission from the parent. Strong organizational, verbal, and written communication skills. Maintain records of enrolled children and families in accordance with established Performance Standards. Perform any other job-related tasks deemed necessary. Additional Details: Sign-On Bonus Offered! Position remains open until filled. **Rolling Plains Management Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. ** Education requirements (any one of the following): An associate degree in Child Development or Early Childhood Education or a related field with coursework equivalent in child development or early childhood education, with experience in a preschool-age classroom or A CDA Credential in Preschool and a High School Diploma or equivalent. Must be at least 18 years old. Must be willing to take and pass a drug/alcohol test and comply with the "Drug-Free" Agency Policy. Must be able to pass regular criminal history checks. Must submit to TB tests as required. Must possess the ability to provide reliable self-transportation capable of regional travel. Must possess and maintain a valid Texas motor vehicle operator's permit of appropriate classification and endorsement. Must agree to maintain a satisfactory MVR and minimum requirement of insurability as required by law. The agency may conduct MVR background checks. PHYSICAL DEMANDS May require extended periods of standing or walking. Occasional pushing, pulling, lifting, or moving up to approximately 25 pounds. Regularly required to be on the floor and sit for long periods. Occasional squatting and bending are required. WORK ENVIRONMENT Possess the ability to adapt to inclement weather conditions and/or situations. The noise level could be moderate to loud when working in a center. Ability to work in a stressful environment and deal effectively with stress. Ability to perform duties and adapt to flexible work schedules as established by management. TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS Light to normal travel – the ability to travel for activities such as field trips, meetings, classes, and workshops in and out of the service area. Ability to drive, occasionally long distances. Must be able to travel by air as needed to attend training, conferences, and related activities.