Hs Teacher Assistant

Job Description
Salary:
With High School Diploma $15.45
With Preschool CDA $15.75
With Technical Certificate $16.45
With AA-ECE $17.45
FLSA Status: This is a non-exempt position.
Work Schedule:Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
This position works 195 days per year, 7.5 hours per day. Schedules may vary due to work assignments and projects.
Department: Early Learning
Location: This position supports one of the Head Start/Early Head Start Campuses: Avondale (2302 Ocoee St), Cedar Hill (4701 Divine Ave), or Daisy (9531 Ridge Trail Rd, Soddy Daisy).
SUMMARY:
Maintains a safe, healthy and cognitively organized learning environment and ensures the safety of children at all times. Assists the teacher in supporting the physical health and development of children to ensure they are ready for kindergarten and lifelong learning.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. The HS Assistant Teacher assists the HS Lead Teacher with the following duties:

• Implement curricula in the classroom with fidelity
• Perform the functions of this position with a working knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards, State of Tennessee Child Care Licensing Rules and Regulations, and Agency policies and procedures
• Plan and implement learning experiences that promote all developmental areas, including improving the readiness of children for school by developing their literacy and phonemic, print, numeric awareness, and language-including English as a second language if applicable, with a thorough knowledge and application of SVHS School Readiness Goals
• Guide and facilitate activities of the children, including; daily activities and selecting and arranging equipment and materials in the classroom
• Eat with and assist children in development of social and self-help skills, and sound nutritional practices
• Guide children's acquisition of social skills
• Work with the co-Teacher and/or Aides to use and develop their skills and abilities in planning and carrying out classroom activities
• 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
• Maintain a safe and healthy classroom environment, following all Head Start and TN State Standards. Assure that classroom equipment, furniture, materials, and supplies are properly maintained, cleaned, and stored
• Use the playground as an extension of the classroom; ensure that the playground is safe;
• Ensure that the daily health and environment checklist is complete
• Assist in implementing, individualizing, and monitoring children's IEP (Individualized Education Plan) or IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan), if applicable, documenting progress and seeking clarification for any aspects that are not well understood
• Provide clear behavioral expectations and use effective methods to prevent and redirect misbehavior
• Complete and submit required forms and records in a timely and accurate fashion;
• Actively assist in transition activities
• Effectively communicate with families concerning classroom calendar, parent meetings, and special events
• Encourage parent participation within the program
• Actively participate in the development and implementation of the Professional Development Plan and performance review
• Ensure that documentation and files are complete, accurate, and confidentiality maintained
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum education: High School Diploma or GED
• Preschool CDA or a State Technical Early Childhood Certificate required, or must be willing to obtain credential within 6 months
• Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education preferred
• Six months experience in working with young children, either as a paid worker or as a volunteer, preferred
• Any combination of equivalent experience and education to perform the essential functions of the position will be considered.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS: None.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Knowledge of:

• Preschool child growth and development
• ECE best practices
• Classroom management
• Importance of relationships and responsive caregiving
• Child safety and supervision
• Experience working with young children in a group setting
• Experience working with culturally diverse staff and clients
• Confidentiality and respecting the rights of children, families, and staff
• Tennessee Child Care Licensing Rules is not required but is desired

Skills in:

• Successful experience working in a team setting
• Ability to work respectfully and cooperatively with a Teacher Assistant and Aide, assisting him/her in increasing knowledge and skills
• Ability to present a positive image of the organization to members of the community
• Ability to plan, organize, and implement position requirements
• Experience successfully working with a culturally diverse staff and clients
• Effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
• Proficient use of computer applications, including word processing, data-entry into web-based software applications, and email communication

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
MEDIUM WORK - exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move object. Positions in this class typically require: walking, standing, reaching, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Safety Sensitive: N
• Department of Transportation - CDL: N
• Child Sensitive: Y

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
All employees must maintain Tennessee residency from the date of hire.
This position requires a pre-employment background check, physical, drug screen, and TB screening questionnaire and/or test depending on results of TB screening questionnaire.
The City of Chattanooga, Tennessee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
MW 04/20/2023