Instructional Assistant, Head Start

Job Title:                      Instructional Assistant, Head Start

Reports to:                   Director of Early Education, Principal of assigned campus 

Pay Grade:                   Paraprofessional - PG 2 

Dept./Campus:            Assigned Campus

Wage Status:               Non-exempt

Days:                           187 

Funding: 100% HEAD START

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Primary Purpose: 

Assist teacher in preparation and management of classroom activities to promote the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of preschool children. Build positive, healthy relationships with students and parents to encourage school readiness skills. Work under supervision of certified teacher.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:  

• Bachelor’s degree, Associate Degree (Early Education preferred) or valid Child
• Development Associate (CDA) credential (required for Head Start) or ability to obtain
• Valid Texas educational aide certificate (may be obtained after hired) 
• Recent (within 12 months of hiring) physical exam and cleared tuberculosis test

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Ability to work well with children and families
• Ability to communicate effectively 
• Willing to be trained in Conscious Discipline® and implement in all situations with children 
• Willing to be trained in Crisis Prevention Intervention
• CPR and First Aid required, but may be obtained after employment

Experience: 

• Some experience working with preschool children in educational settings preferred

Major Responsibilities and Duties: 

Instructional Support: 

• Assist teacher in preparing instructional materials and classroom displays
• Assist with administration and scoring of objective testing instruments or work assignments
• Help maintain neat and orderly classroom
• Help with inventory, care, and maintenance of equipment 
• Help teacher keep administrative records and prepare required reports. 
• Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers 

Student Management: 

• Use principles and practices of Conscious Discipline® philosophy in all situations involving instruction and student management. 
• Conduct instructional exercises assigned by the teacher; work with individual students or small groups
• Help supervise students throughout school day, inside and outside classroom, including mealtime, bus/car duty, field trips and playground management
• Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of individual students 
• Share responsibility for toileting or custodial issues 

Other: 

• Communicate any family information gained clearly and immediately to Family Advocate and teacher
• Communicate personal plans to teacher and other team members as applicable 
• Contribute with all Head Start staff to maintain positive and effective campus team 
• Participate in faculty meeting and special events as assigned 
• Participate to improve own professional performance through workshops, staff development, conferences, college courses, and other training opportunities
• Follow campus and district directives, policies, and procedures
• Always conduct oneself in a professional manner, but especially during school hours and at school related events
• Demonstrate the ability to remain calm and withstand pressures.
• Demonstrate flexibility to change in routine and adapt quickly to changing situations.
• Demonstrates respect, courteous to peers and visitors and assists fellow workers
• Perform other duties as assigned by program or campus staff

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Equipment Used:

Personal or laptop computer, printer, copier, fax machine, shredder, calculator, telephone, electronic mobile devices, projector, and video display monitor

Working Conditions:

Physical Demands/Mental Demands/Environmental Factors:

The working conditions described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations. Regularly sit, talk or hear; frequently required to use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel; frequent repetitive hand motions; occasionally lift and/or move up to 10-50 pounds; occasionally required to stand, walk reach with hands and arms; vision abilities include close vision; and color vision, regularly work with frequent interruptions, maintain emotional control under stress; the noise level is usually moderate. The employee may spend long hours in intense concentration which requires attention to detail. There are a number of deadlines associated with this position, which may cause significant stress. The employee must also deal with a wide variety of people on various issues. Predictable and regular attendance expected. Frequent travel to assigned campuses, large number of telephone calls, several tasks open simultaneously, public relations and people skills are always required.

This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required. The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

 CSISD does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin or disability. The district provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

Salary : $13 - $16