On call Teacher Aide

OVERVIEW:    The Substitute Teacher Aide will be placed in any classroom that needs a TA. This person will assist in creating and managing an attractive, warm, and challenging, learning environment for young children, by incorporating developmentally appropriate learning activities which meet the needs of the group, as well as individual children. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF JOB: 

• Assists in implementing the program curriculum and the Head Start Performance Standards in all classrooms.  
• Assists in organizing the classroom in well-developed and defined learning centers. Rotates materials routinely, to create a stimulating learning environment for young children.  
• Assists in maintaining a classroom that is clean, safe, and free of clutter. Learning materials should be labeled and organized, to make them easily accessible to children.  
• Assists in preparing attractive and eye-catching displays for the room, changing and maintaining them regularly.  Display children’s artwork, at their level, making it the focus of displays.
• Assists with preparing the room, prior to the children’s arrival, by cleaning and preparing the classroom for the next day.  
• Facilitates children’s learning, using appropriate child guidance techniques.  Stays involved with the children in the classroom and on the playground at all times.
• Assists in observing children and recording observations, making appropriate referrals to the Teacher.  
• Assists in maintaining anecdotal records according to program policies and procedures.
• Involves parents in all aspects of the classroom.  Greets and talks with parents and children pleasantly and appropriately, ensuring a positive home-center connection and a family partnership, referring any questions about children to the Lead teacher.  
• Assists in preparing activities to send home for parents to do with their children.  Encourages parents to become involved in workshops, training and other Head Start activities.
• Assists with maintaining supplies and developing lists to replace them as assigned.
• Assume full responsibilities of Teacher’s Aide for long-term substitution situations.

 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED BY POSITION:

• Ability to assist in supervising pre-school children and ensure a safe learning environment including the ability to monitor and respond to events always going on in classroom, outdoor play areas and on field trips. This includes the physical ability to move quickly to respond to children who are very active and may need restraint or redirection to ensure their safety or the safety of others in the environment.
• Ability to assist teachers in supervising, guidance and facilitating learning 3-, 4- and 5-year-old children
• Ability to respond appropriately (both mentally and physically) to an emergency or a crisis.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn early childhood education or development
• Ability to be sensitive and mature individual who can relate well to both children and adults.
• Ability to provide leadership and stability for program continually.

 DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• High school diploma or GED
• Excellent interpersonal, nurturing and problem-solving skills 
• This person must be a sensitive and mature individual who is able to relate well to both children and adults.  
• First Aid/Infant and Child CPR required.  Must keep current.
• A physical exam with results in letter form that states person is free of communicable diseases (Negative TB test) by employment date
• Communication skills: both verbal and written are necessary
• No prior convictions of child-related offenses or any felonies.
• Background check to be conducted prior to employment date
• Must be able to comply with the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Head Start Drug Free Workplace policies.UA prior to employment 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Two years of credits from an accredited college or university, with minimum of six (6) semester or equivalent quarter hours in Early Child Development or related courses; or
• Minimum one (1) year of full time Early Childhood experience in a licensed early childhood program and one (1) year of credits form an accredited college or university, with six (6) semester or equivalent quarter hours in early child development or related courses; or
• Current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.

 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Must be able to lift and carry a child 20 pounds 
• Other Functional requirements:
  • Moderate lifting, 15-40 pounds, moderate carrying over 10 pounds and light carrying under 10 pounds, and occasional lifting up to 50 pounds
  • Have very good hearing; both eyes, hands, and legs are required 
  • Reaching above shoulders; use of hands and fingers. 
  • Daily kneeling, stooping, bending and sitting on the floor to attend to children’s needs (will include walking 4 hours; standing 4 hours; crawling one hour; kneeling 2 hours; stooping and bending 2 hours as needed in job duties).

 OTHER DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS: 

• Share the responsibility of maintaining a safe, healthy and attractive environment
• Work closely with teacher staff in sharing concerns and implementing plans to meet identified needs.
• Reports for work at scheduled times and maintains a good attendance record; performs duties in a timely and professional manner; participates in all program activities with a positive attitude and behavior.
• Continue professional growth by participating in training and workshops/conferences as the budget allows.

 As with all positions of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe this position is Indian Preference in hiring, in Accordance with P.L. 93-638