Teacher Assistant

Job Summary

Responsible for working directly with all children in the classroom, assists the classroom teacher
in planning and implementing appropriate early childhood activities with the assistance of parent
volunteers, including working under the supervision of the Teacher and is responsible for
temporary assignments of teaching duties as assigned by his/her supervisor, the Site Manager,
within the Head Start Program.

Essential Functions

The Teacher Assistant will ultimately be evaluated on a combination of skills, dispositions, and
behaviors, some of which are related to the specific service area of this position and others that
represent general expectations of all our agency employees.

The Teacher Assistant responsibilities chiefly fall within the following essential functions,
although s/he may perform other tasks and/or duties as assigned. The Teacher Assistant
will demonstrate competency to perform essential functions that include:

1. Directly supervises and assists children in performing daily activities in the Head Start
Center.
2. Actively participates in classroom operations by creating developmentally appropriate
lesson plan support, including IEP goals, assessment goals, age-appropriate language
development, pre-math skills, staff-child interaction, appropriate room arrangement and
classroom environment, observations/assessments, family-style meals, and behavior
management.
3. Encourages parents to participate and volunteer in classroom and other Head Start
activities.
4. Communicates with families daily.
5. Maintains a clean and safe classroom.
6. Assists with two home visits per child per year.
7. Assists with the planning and implementation of parent meetings and related parent
activities.
8. Assists with parent/teacher conferences, ensuring parents are kept informed of their child's
progress.
9. Assists children in serving food, practicing appropriate table behavior, and good nutritional
habits per CACFP guidelines.
10.Assists with children's screenings (audio, vision, height/weight, anemia, IEP, mental health,
developmental); assists with documentation and follow-up on referrals.
11.Assists children with differing abilities in their daily routine, including diapering and feeding.
12.Assists staff to incorporate IEP/IFSP goals into classroom activities as directed.
13.Completes reports assigned by supervisor with accuracy and timeliness.
14.Actively participates in recruitment of eligible Head Start children and families.
15.Maintains strict child confidentiality.
16.Attends and actively participates in staff meetings, training sessions, CDA/ECE classes,
and related career development.
17.Proficient in utilizing various virtual platforms to facilitate seamless communication and
collaboration.

Minimum Requirements

1. Requires HSD/GED. All Head Start teacher assistants must be enrolled in a CDA credential
program that will be completed within 2 years from the date of hire. CDA/ECE Certificate or
AA/AAS degree preferred. All education must be from an accredited institute.
2. Teacher Assistant must be at least 18 years old.
3. Six months BCCL or Head Start parent, volunteer work in Head Start (HS) or Child Care
(CC).
4. Advanced computer skills in word processing, Internet and e-mail.
5. Arizona Driver's License, proof of insurance, fingerprint card, Social Security card, CPR and
First Aid, and provide a vehicle for program business.
6. Health Questionnaire is required at hire and will be updated every 3 years.
7. Meet all agency, state and federal required immunizations or have an approved exemption
on file.
8. Employee must be able to speak, read, write, and understand English.
9. Bilingual English/Spanish skills highly desirable.
10.Food Handlers Card or Certificate within 30 calendar days of hire.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge:
1. Knowledge of the application of the principles of early care and education, adult learning
styles, cultural and ethnic diversity, and family dynamics.
2. Knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards and the Child and Adult Care
Food Program (CACFP) and how to implement it within the position.
Skills:
3. Excellent oral and written communication skills and team-membership skills; communicates
in a professional manner with internal and external customers.
Abilities:
4. Ability to supervise Birth-Preschool children as appropriate, ensuring a safe learning
environment, including monitoring and responding to events in the classroom, outdoor play
area, and on field trips.
5. Ability to prioritize workload while being flexible; makes frequent decisions to assure
developmental progress of children and responds appropriately, both mentally and
physically, to an emergency or crisis situation.
6. Ability to demonstrate/capable understanding of the DCS reporting system and the signs
and symptoms of child abuse and neglect.

Physical Requirements

Able to perform the following physical requirements of the position with or without reasonable
accommodation: critical sensory requirements include general vision, specific vision abilities
required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth
perception, and ability to adjust focus. Hear or listen in the normal range (corrected) and speak
and give directions clearly. Able to walk, sit, stand, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, lift, carry, push,
pull or otherwise move objects up to 40 lbs., run 50 feet, and demonstrate exercises - jumping
jacks, leg lifts, etc.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a classroom/office setting where minimal exposure to injury exists. The
hours of work will generally be during regular business hours and average at least 40 hrs. per
week. There will be work variations in work hours due to special employee projects, deadlines,
and other concerns. PGCCS employees have the possibility of exposure to blood or other
potentially infectious materials through collateral duty to their routine work assignments, such
as rendering first aid if need arises, and seldom exposure to vibration, toxic conditions, odors,
dust, mold, and poor ventilation.