Description

The Teacher Assistant is responsible for assisting the Teacher with the care and education of a group of children as part of a teaching team. The Teacher Assistant assists with the planning and implementation of the Education Component objectives of the Performance Standards. 

The Teacher Assistant is responsible for promoting the mission of ABCD Head Start & Children’s Services; building an understanding of the program by communicating this mission to staff, families and the community. 

This position must comply with all federal, state and local laws, regulations, standards and policies, including those of the federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Massachusetts disability law (Chapter 766), Boston Family Engagement Network (BFEN) and ABCD, Inc. Head Start and Children’s Services policies and procedures. 

All ABCD Head Start/Early Head Start and Children’s Services personnel who are paid to care for, or work with, children are MANDATED BY LAW to report all suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF), pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119 §§ 51A – 51G.  Any staff member who suspects child abuse or neglect of a child must inform his or her supervisor immediately.

The responsibilities of a particular position may support both Early Head Start and Head Start depending on the individual assignment. The specific corresponding funding allocation will be documented on the personnel payroll authorization or change of status form.

All communications are potentially sensitive and are subject to Head Start's policy on confidentiality.

Key Responsibilities

Teaching Practices
Provides pre-school children with a joyful, nurturing, safe, healthy individualized environment and the varied experiences which help them develop socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally in a manner appropriate to their age and stage of development in relationship to the overall goal of social competency.

Observation, Planning and Documentation

• Participate in the daily observations of children.
• Participate in a minimum of two home visits and three parent/teacher conferences per family per year.
• Participate in the development of and implementation of developmentally-appropriate lesson plans and individualized activities.
• Participate in the development and implementation of written Individual Education Plans (IEP's) for children with special needs.
• Engage in record keeping activities (e.g. keeping records of daily observations of children and of communication with parents).
• Participate in Team meetings.

Additional Duties & Tasks

• Attends meetings as necessary.
• Maintain the EEC requirements including child to staff ratios, classroom supervision, etc. Participates in the day to day operation of the classroom/center.
• Provide classroom coverage in the absence of the Teacher or Lead Teacher.
• Report to the Teacher or Lead Teacher regarding the daily implementation of classroom duties.
• Report to the Program Director for all matters relating to terms of employment and center operations.
• Develop activities and strategies for involving parents in the educational aspects of the program in order to enhance their role as the principle influence in their child's education and development and increasing their knowledge and understanding of the skills and experiences in child growth and development.
• Good interpersonal skills; work cooperatively as a member of a teaching team, with other program staff and parents.
• Possess bilingual ability where appropriate.
• Demonstrated knowledge and sensitivity to the education and socioeconomic needs of the children and families served in Head Start.
• Ability to work with a culturally diverse low-income population.

Professionalism

• Engage in ongoing staff development to expand professional skills. 
• Maintain professional boundaries in relationships with staff and families. 
• Maintain confidentiality of child and family information at all times. 

Physical/Environmental Demands and Conditions 

The Teacher Assistant must have the capability to engage in the physical activities incident to the job, including without limitation, the capability to:

• Lift and move pre-school age children.
• Remain alert during naptime supervision.
• Supervise and monitor children by sight and sound at all times.
• Respond to children in the case of an emergency in order to ensure safety, such as the capability to react quickly and chase after a child if her or she runs toward danger or tries to leave the classroom.
• Attend to the needs of children with disabilities, including physically challenged children.
• Lift and move equipment and furniture as necessary to facilitate the execution of classroom activities.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required. Active Preschool Child Development Associate Credential; ECE Certificate or EEC Preschool Lead Teacher certified, or enrolled in a degree program leading to an Associates or Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or related field, or enrolled in a CDA program to be completed within two years with experience teaching preschool age children.  EEC preschool teacher certified preferred. Bilingual in a language spoken by families served by ABCD preferred.