HS Teacher Aide

POSITION SUMMARY

The primary scope of this position is to plan and implement high-quality early education and child development services to Head Start (HS) children including children with disabilities. This position is responsible for the implementation of the Head Start Performance Standards and all other regulatory requirements for their assigned classroom.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES - Head Start Performance Standard 1302.30 Purpose:

• Demonstrate knowledge of Gulf Coast Community Services Association (GCCSA) mission, goals, policies, and procedures.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Head Start’s Performance Standards, Early Learning Outcomes, and other regulatory requirements.
• Communicate and collaborate with Child Development Specialists and all content area staff to implement services that meet the needs of children and families assigned to their classroom.
• Communicate and collaborate with teaching staff, substitutes and volunteers to implement services that meet the needs of children and their families assigned to their respective classrooms.
• Work with teacher to ensure required tasks and supporting documentation are completed timely and accurately including but not limited to home visits, parent conferences, developmental screeners, assessments, and anecdotal notes.

• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.
• This job description may be revised upon development of other duties and changes in responsibilities.

Teaching and Learning Environment - Head Start Performance Standard 1302.31

• Demonstrate responsive care, effective teaching practices, including the implementation of positive strategies to support children’s well-being, and prevent and address challenging behaviors.

• Ensure children’s health and safety are in accordance with all regulations.

• Work with the teacher to set up and implement a well-organized classroom that is developmentally appropriate and inviting for pre-school age children.
• Work with the teacher to safeguard the equipment and materials assigned to classrooms, ensuring adequate supplies are available for all children.

Curriculum and Assessment - Head Start Performance Standard 1302.32 Curricula and 1302.33 Child Screenings and Assessment

• Work with the teacher to develop and implement weekly lesson plans that included planned and appropriate activities that align with the developmental progressions described in the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and are based on relevant child assessment data
• Work with the teacher to assess children assigned to their classroom and demonstrate the child’s knowledge, developmental stages, individual differences, and cultural background.

Parent and Family Engagement - Head Start Performance Standard 1302.34 Parent and Family Engagement in Education and Child Development Services:

• Communicate and collaborate with parents to engage them in their child (ren)’s learning.
• Participate in at least two home visits per family per program year.

Training and Professional Development - Head Start Performance Standard 1302.92:

• Demonstrate on-going personal and professional growth and development to meet program and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in coaching opportunities, including observation and feedback sessions.

KEY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES NEEDED:

• Have exceptional people skills and customer service. Must have the ability to read and comprehend intermediate to complex instructions. Excellent oral and written communication skills are necessary to interact with all levels of management, colleagues, and staff to ensure consistency and proper procedure implementation;
• Have advanced technological skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 Application Suite, and client-tracking software.
• Have effective leadership and organizational skills.
• Problem-solve effectively and make data-driven decisions.
• Have familiarity with the Head Start/Early Head Start Act, Head Start Performance Standards, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Childcare Licensing Standards.
• Promote a harassment-free environment.
• Be able to work independently or on teams in a challenging work atmosphere.
• Be able to prioritize and balance multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment.
• Plan and complete tasks and assignments on-schedule with minimal supervision using appropriate judgment.

• Exercise appropriate judgment, discretion and maintain the confidentiality of all GCCSA’s stakeholders.
• Avoid any interest or activity that conflicts with GCCSA’s Standards of Conduct.
• Be experienced in conflict resolution; and
• Work with intentionality and integrity to ethically uphold GCCSA’s mission, values, and goals.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Education/Experience

High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED). Must complete and obtain a Child Development Credential (CDA) within 24 months of hire. Six (6) months in a similar position working with pre-school aged children and able to supervise and interact with a group of 15-20 preschool children.

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Communication

Must have the ability to read and comprehend intermediate to complex instructions. Able to write concise, logical, and grammatically correct written communication and the ability to write simple and clear correspondence. Excellent oral and written communication skills are necessary to interact with all levels of management, colleagues, and staff to ensure consistency and proper procedure implementation.

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Physical Demands

• Move about various locations to access office equipment.
• Observe details at close range.
• Move items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Travel to and from assigned work locations.
• Reach overhead and to the floor; and
• Wear personal protective equipment, when necessary.

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Travel Requirements

• Attend job-related activities such as meetings, training, workshops, etc., both in and out of the service areas;
• Have reliable transportation.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT

GCCSA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. GCCSA makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

In addition, GCCSA retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position, as needed.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT STATEMENT

If requested, GCCSA will attempt to provide reasonable accommodations to enable employees with disabilities to perform essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

is required to stand and walk. Employee must be able to lift items from the floor up to 50 pounds, reach overhead and to the floor

The work environment is that which is typical of a classroom setting. The noise level in the environment is usually very loud and noisy.