This Teacher Assistant Paid Internship Position is up to 30 hours per week and rate of pay is $14.19 per hour. Eligible for retirement plan benefits after 13 months of employment.

KEY FUNCTION:

Under the general direction of the EHS/PHS Center Based Coordinator, direct supervision may be assigned according to program needs. The EHS/PHS Teacher Assistant will assist in providing high quality, individualized education to Head Start children in a developmentally appropriate environment.  The Teacher Assistant will assist Head Start parents in helping their children develop social competency, positive self-esteem, and encourage peer involvement.  The Teacher Assistant will assist in recruiting families and children to Head Start for the current school year and the upcoming year.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Assist in establishing and maintaining a safe, healthy, learning environment to prevent injuries, minimize hazards, and provide adequate supervision.
• Assist in promoting good health and nutrition by planning activities that promote personal health and sound nutrition.
• Use the learning environment and routines as a resource to construct an interesting and secure environment that encourages play, exploration and learning.
• Help provide opportunities for physical and intellectual development by using developmentally appropriate equipment, activities, and incorporating differences in learning styles.
• Assist in actively communicating with children and provide opportunities and support for children to acquire and understand verbal and nonverbal communication of thoughts and feelings.
• Help provide opportunities that encourage children to play with sound, rhythm, space, materials, and language in individual ways and express their creative abilities.
• Assist in supporting social and emotional development and provide positive guidance in which children can learn and practice appropriate and acceptable behavior.
• Assist in maintaining an open, friendly, cooperative relationship with each child’s family.  Encourage family involvement and support the child’s relationship with his/her family.
• Assist in ensuring program responsiveness to participant’s needs.
• Maintain a commitment to professionalism.
• Assist with making referrals and documentation of disabilities.
• Assist in making decisions based on early childhood knowledge and best practices.
• Help prepare weekly lesson plans and do other paperwork requested by supervisor.
• Be responsible for CACFP paperwork and documentation.
• Prepare, serve and clean-up meals and snacks as needed.
• Be responsible for daily health and safety checklist.
• Have an understanding of and an ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Assist in making and documenting every effort to include both parents and significant male/female role model to the child in all aspects of Head Start (including, but not limited to home visits, parent involvement activities, meetings with teachers, etc.).
• Assist in actively recruiting Head Start families for the current school year and the upcoming school year in the area assigned by the supervisor. 
• Arrive at least 30 minutes before class starts to assist with class preparation. 
• Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION

The Center Based Teacher is the immediate supervisor of the Teacher Assistant.

QUALIFICATIONS:

PERSONAL QUALITIES

• Attention to detail and able to complete required paperwork.
• Understand new early childhood research and implement it in the classroom.
• Be aware of multi-intelligences in children.
• Ability to understand the economically disadvantaged and basic philosophy of the Head Start program.
• Ability to work productively under stress.
• Desire to help people find ways to succeed.
• Proactive attitude.
• Tenacity and stamina.
• Integrity and strong ethical principles.
• Good organizational skills.
• Demonstrate ability to enjoy working with families of diverse backgrounds and a variety of cultures.
• Demonstrate ability to be compassionate and patient while setting boundaries.
• Demonstrate ability to be able to delegate and encourage leadership in others while facilitating teamwork.
• Demonstrate ability to be innovative and resourceful.
• Need to have a sense of humor.
• Must pass a background check.
• Strong Computer Skills.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Must be attending a college or university. 
• Preschool CDA preferred.  Must be willing to obtain Preschool CDA within two years of hire.
• Able to become CPR (adult, child, and infant) and First Aid certified, TB tested, free of communicable diseases, and obtain a Food Handler’s Permit.
• Bilingual English/Spanish speaking preferred. In some areas bilingual English/Spanish speaking is required.
• If required, the ability to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to drive the bus on field trips.
• Experience with children preferred.
• Head Start Volunteer preferred.

All employment with Bear River Head Start is contingent upon Policy Council approval, and successful results of a background check. All applicants must also pass a drug test prior to hire including working with children and families. Refusal to submit to testing will result in disqualification of further employment consideration.