Teacher Assistant (3158)

Teacher Assistant for Palm Beach Head Start / Early Head Start
Childcare Pre-School Education
Lake Worth Center

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong and communities are vibrant. Since 1982, Lutheran Services Florida has been providing and sharing solutions to protect Florida’s most vulnerable. Today, we are one of the largest nonprofits in Florida touching 1 in 50 Floridians with a wide range of services, including:

• early childhood education
• refugee and immigration
• mental health and substance abuse
• juvenile justice
• child welfare

LSF is looking for a talented Teacher Assistant who wants to make an impact in the lives of others.

Purpose & Impact:

Works as part of a teaching team in developing activities for preschool children. Assists the teacher in carrying out the goals, policies, and activities designed to implement educational objectives and performance standards. Works with families to promote parent involvement in the program. May serve as Bus Monitor on activities where the program transports children. May perform additional duties based on program needs and areas of developing expertise. Participates in the HS/EHS Quality Assurance efforts.

A Day in The Life of a Teacher Assistant

• Participates in pre-service training.
• Implement approved curricula in the classroom.
• Perform the functions of this position with a strong understanding of the Head Start Performance Standards and the component plans.
• With the teacher, guide and facilitate activities of the children, including daily activities, field trips, selecting and arranging equipment and materials in the classroom.
• Cooperate with other staff and classroom groups to maintain the smooth functioning of the center, which at times may require changes to meet the needs of the children.
• Write weekly observations per assessment procedure.
• Use parent conferences to discuss the child's individual development and progress, assist the parents in developing observational skills and solicit parent observations.
• Eat with and assist children in the development of social and self-help skills, and sound nutritional practices.
• If needed, serves as a bus monitor in the transportation of children and engages children in song and other developmentally appropriate activities during the ride.
• Guide children's acquisition of social skills.
• Attend staff training and meetings, and board and parent meetings as requested.
• Assist in providing and maintaining a safe and healthy developmentally appropriate environment.
• Assists the teacher in ensuring that at least 80% of the children are kindergarten-ready.
• Assists in quality staff-child interactions resulting in a CLASS scores greater than the lowest 10% of the threshold in each domain.
• Uses active supervision techniques and maintains positive classroom behavior.
• Receives a satisfactory or higher score on the Teacher Assistant Success Rubric.
• Assists teacher in maintaining a comprehensive and ongoing portfolio assessment for each child, including weekly observations in each area, examples of the child's work, and a developmental assessment.
• Assists teacher in conducting and using home visits and parent conferences to discuss the child's individual development and progress, assist the parents in developing observational skills and solicit parent observations;
• Assist in conducting the daily health and environment checklist.
• Assists in recruiting and orienting volunteers, providing them with guidance as needed.
• Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start/Early Head Start children, families, and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Assists the teacher in the completion of required reports.
• Completes timely and accurate timesheets.
• Distributes newsletters, flyers, and other information to families as instructed by the supervisor.
• Attends all training, workshops, and meetings as deemed necessary by the supervisor.
• Attends all required staff and parent meetings and activities.
• Performs other duties, as may be required.

Qualifications

Education: Graduation from high school or possession of a GED Certificate; and

Required: A National Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) for Preschool Endorsement or AS/AA in Early Childhood Education or Child Development or related degree.

A National Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) for Infant/Toddler Endorsement, if applicable; and a Certificate of Completion of an approved 10 hour Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Preschoolers or Infant/Toddlers Course; and

Proof of successful completion of the following courses: 6 hours Child Growth and Development; 6 hours Behavioral Observation & Screening; 8 hours Health, Safety & Nutrition; 4 hours Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect; and 6 hours Child Care Facility Rules and Regulations, or a 30 hour Introductory Child Care Training Course.

Preferred Education:

Associate or higher degree from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Development or a related field with 18 credit hours in Early Childhood Education; and a Certificate of Completion of an approved 10 hour Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Preschoolers or Infant/Toddlers Course; and proof of successful completion of the following courses: 6 hours Child Growth and Development; 6 hours Behavioral Observation & Screening; 8 hours Health, Safety & Nutrition; 4 hours Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect; and 6 hours Child Care Facility Rules and Regulations, or a 30 hour Introductory Child Care Training Course and possession of a National Credential Child Development Associate (CDA) for Infant/Toddlers or Preschool Endorsement; if applicable. In addition, all state-mandated courses for the Voluntary prekindergarten required.

Experience: Entry level position.

Also required: Certification in First Aid and CPR within 90 days from the date of hire and successful completion of a Level II background screening, local criminal record check, health, TB and drug screening prior to hiring. Bilingual preferred: English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area.

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) requires those hired into this position to provide proof that they have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (including any booster shots, if required) or must become fully vaccinated within the first 30 days of employment. Failure to provide timely proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status will result in the termination of your employment with LSF.

Any individuals subject to this requirement may submit for consideration a request to be exempted from the requirement (based on a valid religious or medical reason) on forms to be provided by LSF. Such requests will be subject to review and approval by the Company, and exemptions will be granted only if the Company can provide a reasonable accommodation in relation to the requested exemption. Note that approvals for reasonable accommodations are reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis and availability of a reasonable accommodation is not guaranteed. This vaccination requirement is based, in part, on recently established government requirements. The requirement is also based on the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine in protecting against COVID-19, and our shared responsibility for the health and safety of members, clients, and community.

Why work for LSF?

Ability to Make an Impact in Multiple Areas

LSF offers several programs, spanning across a wide range of populations in need. This gives our team members an opportunity to learn and potentially work in programs outside of their direct area. Either way, members of the LSF family will play a part in transforming the lives of those in need.

Community

A career at LSF means working and learning alongside talented professionals in a dynamic and inclusive environment. The values of our organization – OPEN-MINDED, COMPASSIONATE, GENEROUS, VISIONARY and HONESTY – drives each one of us.

People working at Lutheran Services Florida treat each other like family. Whether you work on the front lines or work in an office, you share a common bond that is felt throughout the organization.

Growth Opportunities

Because of the variety of programs we offer throughout Florida, team members have the option to explore areas of interest in other programs or grow within their existing program/department.

Amazing benefits package including:

• Medical, dental and vision
• Teledoc (24/7 access to doctors via phone and video)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Long-term disability
• Employer paid life insurance (1X salary), AD&D
• Health and dependent care FSA
• Paid holidays
• Generous PTO policy
• 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match
• Tuition reimbursement
• Additional voluntary benefits:
  • Short-term disability
  • Group life insurance
  • Accident, critical illness/Cancer and hospital policy
  • Legal Shield coverage

Lutheran Family Services embraces diversity, equity and inclusion in all business practices. LSF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Lutheran Services Florida Children & Head Start Services

1699 Wingfield Street, Lake Worth, FL

EOE/DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE