Classroom Assistant - Substitute

Substitute Head Start Classroom Assistants

JOB SUMMARY

In partnership with teaching staff, Teacher Assistants provide education services to children and their families enrolled in assigned classrooms.    

 ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION:

The essential functions of this position require prioritizing and completing all assigned tasks in a timely and efficient manner, adjusting for changing priorities and availability of resources, and demonstrating initiative in identifying additional job-related tasks to be completed when time permits.  These duties are a representative example of position expectations.  Actual duties assigned may vary and change depending on the business needs of the department and the agency.

• Willingly work at any classroom site assigned. Assist bus driver in transporting children by maintaining safe and orderly conduct on the bus (if assisting in a bussed class). 
• Share responsibility of maintaining a safe and healthy classroom environment. Under guidance of the teacher take observations on children and enter into the web based data system. Maintain a receptive atmosphere in the classroom through open communication. 
• Nurture children and respond to their individual needs using developmentally appropriate practices while following a consistent schedule, which includes small and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, skill development, meals, and transitions between activities. 
• Deliver Safety Sam training to children on the bus and in the classroom. 
• Encourage parent participation in the classroom, field trips, and other family activities. 
• Within a team of lead teacher, teacher and classroom assistant, assist in classroom; maintain awareness of classroom plans through daily review of lesson plans, and support team with implementation of all activities.  Maintain open communication with all team members.  Participate in providing a safe and healthy environment on a daily basis.  Attend family fun night. 
• Provide food service in compliance with sanitation and USDA regulations.  Assist with food transportation to classroom. 
• Observe children weekly as directed by teacher. 
• Report and document incidents of suspected child abuse and neglect to DHS and child development services supervisor within 24 hours of incident. 
• Respect the confidentiality of information about Head Start children and families, staff and personnel issues, and agency operations.
• Provide exceptional and measurable customer service to internal and external customers with timely and accurate responses to their inquiries and concerns.  Exercise tact, courtesy, and diplomacy when interacting with clients, contractors, vendors and others with whom we may work while enhancing the Company’s public image at all times. Respond to all inquiries for information respectfully without regard to the inquirer’s position, status, or demographic and in a manner that conveys understanding, acceptance and support for UCAN’s programs and objectives.
• Communicate in a professional, respectful and courteous manner with all employees, clients, the Board of Directors, and others with whom we may work. Contribute to a successful work group and foster a team-oriented culture through positive interactions, active listening, meaningful collaborations, and the constructive exchange of ideas.
• Complete designated job tasks, special projects and all other duties as assigned to meet team, department and agency goals while actively demonstrating accountability, high levels of employee engagement, and responsibility for achieving desired outcomes and measurable results.