What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Teacher position at NEK-CAP, Inc.?
Position Summary:
This position is responsible for working collaboratively with the teacher to maintain a program that includes an organized series of experiences designed to meet the needs of all participating children and assisting and utilizing parents in alternative ways to foster the learning and development of their children. This person will be responsible for transporting and/or monitoring the children to and from school and to and from field trips as needed. This position is directly responsible for maintaining adult: child ratio in the classroom. Work is performed under the supervision of the Center Manager/Teacher and reviewed through regular supervision, reports, and program achievements.
Essential Functions:
- Comply with and provide services based on all Head Start Program Performance Standards, Head Start Act, Agency Employee Handbook, all other agency policies and procedures, and State of Kansas Requirements, and be in compliance with all funding entities' requirements.
- Participate in routine systematic planning to develop component goals/objectives based on program data, the Comprehensive Community Needs Assessment, and the Annual Head Start Self-Assessment. This is designed to continually improve program services.
- Report any suspected child/adult abuse or neglect to the appropriate authority.
- Timely office work and coordination - emails, phone calls, answering questions, etc.
- Ongoing and professional communication and coordination with co-workers, management staff, community, and customers/families.
- Understand and support the NEK-CAP, Inc. governance, as it applies in relation to Policy Council and the Multi-County Board of Directors. Assist with recruiting members, as needed, to be in compliance with the Head Start Performance Standards and Head Start Act.
- Work closely with other managers, staff, and community agencies as needed to ensure coordination of services needed for individual children and families.
- Respect and support cultural differences and diverse family structures.
- Attend and participate in training, conferences, staff meetings, web-based go-to-meetings, reflective supervision, new staff orientation, coaching, and in-service days.
- Responsible to maintain completion of data entry into the program database - CAP60 and child assessment database - Work Sampling according to set time frames and expectations; running reports; analyzing and submitting data/reports as needed/requested.
- Maintain dependable, punctual attendance and adhere to appropriate break times.
- Work in conjunction with the other members of the center team to set up a culturally and developmentally appropriate classroom environment based on Head Start Program Performance Standards-and evaluate it using The Creative Curriculum for Preschool Fidelity Tool.
- Participate in Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings, as needed, while taking the role of resource person and parent advocate. Timely office work and coordination- emails, phone calls, answering questions, etc.
- Attend Family Team Support meetings as needed.
- Responsible for the completion of at least 15 hours of training annually, including 15 hours of Early Childhood training.
- Responsible for active supervision happening during the time the children are present in the classroom, playground, on field trips, and family engagement activities.
- Responsible for reviewing all children’s orientation paperwork including health assessments and immunizations records prior to the child attending the center.
- Responsible for covering other classrooms at your site (if applicable) and when needed/directed by Center Manager or Center Manager/Teacher.
- Responsible for ensuring class emergency contact numbers are up to date (for the center, for the children, and for the staff).
- Responsible for in-kind; turning it into Central Office at least monthly. Work with other staff in generating non-federal share (in-kind), and documenting in-kind contributions, planning individualized homework.
- Responsible for assisting with the recruitment of new children along with all the center staff to maintain a waitlist and assure funded enrollment is achieved by the first day of classes.
- Responsible for driving or monitoring on the bus at your site.
- Responsible for setting up cots at the full day sites.
- Responsible for daily cleaning in your classroom and at your site, following the cleaning schedule.
- Responsible for filling out accident/incident reports as needed daily and giving them to Center Manager or Center Manager/Teacher.
- Assist the teacher with two education home visits and 2 parent-teacher conferences with each family and as needed/requested.
- Assist with developing and utilizing lesson plans, individualization on lesson plans, observations, and using the curriculum to fidelity as needed/requested.
- Assist with providing transition strategies and practices to support successful transitions for the children and families transitioning into Head Start and transitioning from Head Start as needed/requested.
- Responsible for bus evacuation drills and reporting to Center Manager or Center Manager/Teacher.
- Assist with planning field trips utilizing the Field Trip Planning Form.
- Assist with executing monthly safety checks and drills.
- Assist with the daily classroom and playground checks are done as needed/requested.
- Assist with planning and attend Family Engagement Activities as requested/needed.
- Order supplies needed through your Center Manager or Center Manager/Teacher.
- Audit children’s files as needed or requested.
- Advocate for NEK-CAP, Inc. in the community – this may include attending public meetings or community and/or public speaking.
- Maintain a clean and safe work area- to include socialization, vehicle, and office.
- Maintain and assure the confidentiality and privacy of NEK-CAP, Inc. customers.
- Uphold and promote the values and mission of NEK-CAP, Inc.
- Adhere to the Standards of Conduct and Community Action Code of Ethics.
- Support management decisions both in actions and words.
- Promote staff self-care and wellness.
- Promote staff team building activities.
- Ability to work varied hours according to need – so this may include early arrival so this position can help with bus routes or working late because of a family engagement activity.
- Other duties as assigned.
Education and Qualifications
- High School Graduate or GED required.
- Associates degree in Early Childhood Education is preferred or CDA (Child Development Associate) credential for 3-5-year-olds.
- Must be willing to work at obtaining a CDA credential to be completed within 2 years and/or work toward an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education
- Obtain Driver Improvement/AAA certification and First Aid and CPR certification and keep current, attend training in child abuse and neglect, bloodborne pathogens upon hire.
- Successfully complete and pass a physical exam, TB skin test, and drug screen before beginning employment.
- Submit to and pass criminal background/history check in compliance with the State of Kansas Child Care Licensing.
- Possess current valid state driver’s license and personal automobile insurance and present upon hire.
Physical Requirements/Work Environment
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Use hands to finger, handle, or feel;
- Reach with hands and arms;
- Sit (adult and child-size furniture) stand, walk and stoop, kneel or crouch;
- Required vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus
- Occasional exposure to wet and/or humid conditions
- Outside weather conditions
- Extreme cold and extreme heat
- Regularly lift and/or move 50 plus pounds;
- Assist children with toileting and changing diapers
- Noise level is usually quiet to moderate
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed by this position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is a similar, related, or logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer requirements of the job change.
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