Teacher Aide

1.         General Character of Duties

Under the supervision of the teacher or assigned teacher assistant, the teacher aide helps provide a well-planned, developmentally appropriate curriculum for children in assigned classroom and carry out supplementary activities related to the education program. Child safety, to include count / location of children, is essential. The position is generally scheduled for 880 paid hours per year, with the average work day determined by availability to drive bus or complete other assignments, generally 20-25 hours per week depending on program assignment. May act as assistant teacher if an approved training plan to earn a CDA within 24 months, or an Early Childhood degree, as described in the Head Start Act and federal guidance.

2.         Example of Specific Duties

• Ensures children have adequate supervision at all times
• Maintains a safe and healthy environment for children
• Supports center staff to maintain a clean, attractive, and well-organized classroom environment following all SVHS classroom environment procedures and Tennessee Quality Rating Scale indicators
• Facilitates students’ ability to actively explore and learn by consistently providing comfort, reassurance, and encouragement. Communicates warmth, respect, and enjoyment through verbal and nonverbal interactions.
• Provides clear behavioral expectations and uses effective methods to prevent and redirect misbehavior
• Stimulates students’ language acquisition through frequent conversations, open-ended questioning, repetition and extension, self and parallel talk, and advance language modeling. Provides feedback that expands learning and understanding and encourages participation
• Supports teaching staff with implementation of lesson plans and individualization tasks
• Maintains confidentiality, respecting the rights of children, families, and staff
• Promotes teamwork by being reliable when not supervised, taking the initiative to get things done, taking responsibility for own actions, and demonstrates adaptability as well as willingness to work in other capacities as needed
• Serves as a bus aide or driver and substitutes for nutrition staff as needed
• Follows the direction of the center team leader completing other assignments and tasks as needed

3.         Minimum Qualifications

MUST BE 18 AND HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA  or equivalent is required with a minimum of one year of paid or volunteer experience in working with young children preferred. The teacher aide should demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities as follows: knowledgeable about child growth and development and the needs of children and the ability to communicate with children and adults.  These qualifications express the minimum standards of education and experience for this position.  Other combinations of education and experience, if evaluated as equivalent, may qualify an applicant for consideration.

4.         Desirable Qualifications

The ability to engage children in a well-run and orderly classroom in a safe, literacy rich and nurturing environment. Teacher aides are encouraged to seek/hold CDA credentials and/or ECE coursework, as CDA or higher education is required for the teacher assistant position. Bus driver status, computer skills, and Spanish training a plus.

5.         Other Significant Facts

Ability to secure a commercial drivers licenses may be required in some centers, and adequate personal transportation, including adequate auto liability coverage and proof of a satisfactory driving record is required. Participation in agency training events is required. For advancement, the employee should seek a CDA credential and other training. Staff hired after January 15, 2001, must pass state DHS fingerprinting & drug screening process prior to hire. Select staff may be eligible for additional education supplements with the Director’s approval.

6.         Physical Requirements

Must have a past job offer physical prior to working with children and a drug test and evidence of a negative T.B. screening. A pre-employment drug screen is also required by the Agency. Physical demands of this position include lifting (over 50 pounds in emergency situations), stooping, sitting in child size furniture, ability to hear conversations, vision adequate to supervise young children is needed. No item considered an essential function is designed to exclude a person with a disability.