Head Start Teacher Assistant

Date: 11/6/2025

Program: Douglas Cherokee Head Start
Job Title: Teacher Assistant
Location: Monroe County: Tellico Plains

Douglas Cherokee Economic Authority, Inc. Head Start / Early Head Start Program serves children ages 6 weeks-5 years in eight counties in East TN: Blount, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Monroe, Sevier and Union. Children who attend Head Start participate in a variety of educational activities. They have healthy meals and snacks, and enjoy playing outdoors in a safe setting. Services are offered to meet the special needs of children with disabilities.

All Douglas-Cherokee benefits eligible employees receive the following benefits:

• Up to 16 paid holidays per year
• Earned sick leave and annual leave
• Option to participate in State of Tennessee 401(k) savings plan

Full time employees (work an average of 30 or more hours/week) are eligible for the following benefits:

• Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System
• Group Health Insurance partially paid by the agency with other insurance products available.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Full-time; 37.5 hours per week; School Year

Salary Grade: $15.22 per hour

Reports to: Area Coordinator, Curriculum & Assessment Manager, Head Start Director

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the area coordinator, the teacher assistant will assist in carrying out all educational, developmentally appropriate activities for preschool children. In addition, the teacher assistant will provide supervision of children in the classroom and on the playground, ensuring each child’s safety. The teacher assistant may assume teacher responsibilities in the absence of a teacher; this may include being named site director for licensing.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES / ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Assists in organizing the classroom and maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment.

2. Observes, assesses, refers, and evaluates each child’s progress in the assigned classroom, and assists in planning and implementing classroom activities based on individual needs of the children to advance physical and intellectual competence.

3. Assists in promoting social and emotional development of children, and in maintaining classroom discipline using positive guidance techniques.

4. Assists in maintaining records and submits reports as required; attends meetings and required training.

5. Makes home visits and/or holds parent-teacher conferences as required, assists with parent meetings, and maintains positive communication with parents and community participants regarding Program activities and objectives.

6. Demonstrates work habits, which comply with agency personnel policies and procedures, and completes special assignments from immediate supervisor or Head Start Director.

7. Will assisting in cleaning and maintaining indoor and outdoor premises on a daily basis (i.e. sweep, mop, clean bathroom, empty waste containers, and dispose of trash for pick-up). Pick up debris and other trash outdoors and keep area neat and attractive at all times.

8. Welcome families to participate in their child’s learning activities in the classroom, at home, and in the community. Encourage parents to volunteer in the classroom to support their child and the program.

9. Encourage parents, families, and community members to support our children and the program through gifts of time, goods, and/or monetary donations to ensure program local match (in-kind) as required to continue receiving federal funding.

10. The teacher assistant may be the immediate supervisor of other center staff in the absence the teacher.

WORK SITE: Monroe County

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

OTHER JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• This job can change at any time for any reason.
• Must perform specific related activities necessary to meet Social Services, Nutrition, Disabilities, and Parent Involvement component operation standards.
• Comply with all rules, policies and procedures of the Agency.
• Maintain confidentiality of family, child, and Agency information.
• Must maintain documentation per licensing requirements.
• Must perform specific related activities necessary to meet Social Services, Nutrition, Disabilities, and Parent Involvement component operation standards.
• Does not discriminate in the provision of services and makes sure that no person is excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or benefit because of race, color, religion, gender (including sexual orientation and gender identity), age, citizenship, ethnicity, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, or veteran status unless those exclusions are based upon bona fide qualifications mandated by program service eligibility criteria.
• This job can change at any time for any reason.

ROLE QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience Requirements:

· CDA or degree in ECE preferred

· High School Diploma or GED required AND must be 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 two years of the time of hire to adhere to the Head Start Performance Standards requirements.

Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

· Must obtain a pre-employment physical, including a screen for communicable diseases.

· Must agree to pre-employment background check

· Must complete First Aid and CPR training and keep updated.

· Must maintain documentation per licensing requirements.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

· Must have the ability to lift children and to physically assist at all times.

· Will frequently lift or move weight as in lifting, carrying, and holding children (20-60#).

· Required to stand up to 95% of the workday.

· Must be able to interact with children on the playground or in the classroom. Ex: run, jump, dance, physical exercise.

· Must be able to stoop and bend to interact with children on their level.

· Able to physically and mentally react immediately to unexpected circumstances.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Application Deadline: Applications accepted until the position is filled.

To Apply: Send application and/or resume to: Human Resources Manager DCEA Head Start/Early Head Start, 127 Cedar Street, Morristown, TN 37814. Email applications to jobs@dceaheadstart.org.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $15.22 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $15