Teacher Assistant Rovers are assigned to sites as needed, to create consistency and continuity of services for children and families when there are long term Associate Teacher absences. A Teacher Assistant Rover ensures the implementation of the Head Start program is a safe environment for children in accordance with the federal performance standards, state licensing rules, and agency expectations collaboratively with the Teacher. Teacher Assistant Rovers assist in preparing and delivering lessons and performing activities with the children that meet the physical, social, intellectual, emotional and cultural needs of each enrolled child in partnership with parents.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities may include but not limited to the following:
Help to carry out a culturally-responsive, inclusive and developmentally appropriate curriculum that aligns with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework according to the individual needs of children as written in daily lesson plans.
Assists in the implementation of the designated curriculum, with strong fidelity, in alignment with the Agency’s School Readiness Goals.
Conduct agency screenings and assessments.
Must acquire and maintain reliability in current assessment tool.
Responsible for gathering and entering children’s assessment data and assigning preliminary levels in online assessment tool.
Responsible for entering documentation in our data management software, ChildPlus, as required by the Agency.
Ensures a safe classroom and outdoor environment for children at all times. Some examples of this include using active supervision, appropriate hand washing for children and adults, and knowledge of emergency procedures.
Implement positive redirection and behavior guidance.
Carry out the required components of the daily routine.
Instruct children in practices of personal hygiene and other self-help skills.
Prepare and serve meals and snacks for children in a relaxed, family style dining experience.
Ensures that the classroom environment meets the Agency’s expectations regarding CLASS scores.
Provide feedback to use for the on-going evaluation and training of staff and volunteers as necessary.
Empower parents by enhancing parenting skills and parent/child relationships.
Participate in family engagement events to actively support parent engagement in program implementation.
Conduct a minimum of two Education Home Visits and two Family Conferences per program year per student.
Involve parents in decisions about individual goal setting and culturally-responsive practices.
In the absence of the Teacher, takes a leadership role in the classroom operations
Assist in recruitment, enrollment and orientation of Head Start families.
Responsible for knowledge and use of current Agency processes, procedures and forms, upon completion of training.
Understand and implement the tiered support model to identify and follow up on family needs.
Display sensitivity in meeting the needs of a diverse population of children, families and staff.
Part-Time Specific Requirements and Eligibilities
Required to work at least 20 hours but less than 30 hours per week.
Schedule must be set and may only be adjusted each semester.
Must attend mandatory scheduled trainings even if they fall outside of regularly set schedule.
Not eligible for health, dental, or vision insurance.
Not eligible for vacation pay.
Perks
Earning a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential paid for by Head Start for Kent County.
Can apply for Head Start for Kent County’s Tuition Reimbursement Program to obtain funds to pursue a related degree beyond a CDA credential (ex. Associate’s, Bachelor’s).
Will accrue 4.5 hours of Sick Time per month.
Will receive 11 hours of Personal Time per year.
Holiday Pay if the holiday falls on a scheduled workday.
Applicable retention awards, anniversary rewards, and perfect attendance rewards (some of which are monetary).
Supervisory Responsibilities
No supervisory responsibilities.
Required Education and Experience
Minimum of a valid preschool CDA credential (or willingness to obtain credential); or
Be enrolled in a preschool CDA credential program to be completed within 2 years; or
Be enrolled in a program leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree in Early Childhood Education/Child Development to be completed within 4 years.
Must obtain CPR/First Aid within ninety days of hire.
Competencies
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
Teamwork
Job Knowledge
Safety and Security
Planning and Organizing
Dependability
Initiative
Judgement
Adaptability
Physical Requirement
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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand or walk for prolonged periods. Must be able to lift up to 45 pounds at a time in emergency situations. Must be able to kneel, sit, stand, crawl, push, and pull to assist and teach throughout the day. Prolonged periods of sitting and working on computer to complete necessary paperwork.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the agency. Employees in this position must be able to perform the essential job functions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation. If you require a reasonable accommodation to perform these job functions, please contact the Human Resources Department.
Every child deserves a good start. At Head Start for Kent County we help children from low-income families in Kent County, Michigan, get that start by providing comprehensive education programs and health services. We encourage intellectual, social and emotional growth by offering holistic, family-centered services in a supportive environment. Head Start and Early Head Start programs offer safe, consistent child development services for children from birth to age five.