Teacher Assistant

Our mission at Northern Panhandle Head Start is to provide a high quality, family focused program uniquely designed to prepare children for learning and life. Our staff of caring professionals work together to provide quality services for children and their family members throughout the community.

Right now, Northern Panhandle Head Start has an exciting career opportunity available for a caring individual looking to make a difference in the lives of children and their family members. As a Teacher Assistant, you will be working directly with children in the classroom, forming positive relationships and preparing them for their school career. We currently have 2 positions available:

• One position working as a full time Teacher Assistant in Ohio County
• One position working as a full time Teacher Assistant Float - mostly in Ohio and Marshall Counties but potentially working in classrooms in Hancock, Brooke, or Wetzel Counties as well

We offer exceptional benefits to our employees, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance. We provide 14 paid holidays throughout the year, as well as additional paid time off accrual. We offer education assistance/tuition reimbursement and paid professional development for our employees as well.

Candidates for the Teacher Assistant position must have at least a high school diploma or a GED with at least one year of experience in a preschool setting or other experience working with preschool age children. Candidates must also be willing to enter and complete the Child Development Associate (CDA) program within 2 years of their hire date.

You will be working closely with the classroom teacher to maintain a supportive environment for preschool age children by assisting the children with following curriculum, interacting during group activities, fostering positive social behaviors, and assisting with decision making skills.

If you are a caring person who is passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and their families in the community, apply at Northern Panhandle Head Start today!

BENEFITS:

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan (employer contributes 8.5% after employee has been employed for 1 year)
• 14 paid holidays
• Paid time off accrual
• Mileage reimbursement
• Opportunity for education assistance/tuition reimbursement
• Paid professional development
• Employee assistance program

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma or GED
• Driver's license and reliable vehicle
• At least one year of experience in a preschool setting or other experience working with preschool age children
• Willingness to enter and complete the Child Development Associate (CDA) program within 2 years of hire date (employer will cover cost of training)
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Standing, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, sitting on the floor, and reaching on a daily basis
• Ability to understand and work with children with special needs

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Works directly with children in the classroom, keeping them on task throughout the day, forming positive relationships, focusing on their strengths, supporting their interests, ideas and play, and listening attentively to them.
• Maintains a stable, calm, inclusive, and supportive environment by following a predictable routine, fostering positive social behaviors, assisting children in dealing with their feelings, being responsive to children's needs, carrying out established schedules, and notifying children of changes.
• Utilizes classroom activities that encourages children to problem-solve and become decision-makers during individual, small and large group interactions, and giving children appropriate choices; using and modeling positive behavior management techniques in the classroom.
• Assists the teacher with writing and implementing small group and lesson plans, writing child observation notes, setting up the classroom, and preparing materials.
• Prepares breakfast, snacks, and lunch and setting up food service in the classroom, with the help of the children; then eating family style meals with the children and encouraging socialization and talking about food and nutrition during meal times.
• Maintains a neat, sanitary, safe learning environment by following the cleaning schedule, and by providing supervision to protect children's safety indoor and outdoors.
• Rides bus as a bus aide during the morning and/or afternoon bus run.
• Makes an initial home visit to each family with the teacher and interacts effectively with parents on a regular basis.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $14.50 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $15