Teacher Aide
Department: Head Start

Exemption Status: Non-exempt
Pay Grade(s): 5 ($22.76+/Hr. DOE)

Purpose: Assists the Lead Teacher in all facets of center activities, carrying out lesson plans, conducting family visits and parent-teacher conferences, incorporating education, disability, health, mental health, family and attendance component plans, completing screenings, assessment and reports, and leading large and small groups of children.

Essential Functions. An individual in this role must be able to perform the following functions with or without reasonable accommodation:
• Develop and maintain a positive relationship with the children, their families, staff, and volunteers.
• Assist in preparation of materials as needed to carry out the weekly lesson plans.
• Will eat and interact with children at mealtimes, serving as an appropriate model to the children.
• Provide support in all areas of the classroom maintaining a welcoming and cheerful environment; may assist conducting developmental screenings, observations of children's behavior, and in developing Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) for each child, including evaluations.
• Attend staff meetings, assist in developing the weekly lesson plans, and overall program activities (e.g., arts and crafts, dramatic play, story time, cooking, music, fine and gross motor, etc.).
• Manage small groups of children, and evaluate activities regarding appropriateness and effectiveness and interest of the children;
• Assist the Lead Teacher in making smooth transitions for children, within the classroom and between organizations.
• May attend parent committee meetings as requested (may include evening and weekend meetings).
• Will maintain up-to-date files for all children, safeguarding privacy of records and confidential information.
• May assist in recruiting and conducting parent orientations to enrolling eligible children by collecting all needed records.
• Assists with janitorial duties (e.g., cleaning bathrooms, sweeping, mopping or vacuuming floors, cleaning toys, equipment, washing windows, emptying trash, light maintenance, and yard work) to maintain a safe and clean environment.
• Assist in keeping the building and playground area in safe condition and good repair at all times, and observe all fire and sanitation code requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities. A comprehensive set of capabilities required to perform job tasks effectively:
• Knowledge of applicable state and federal laws and requirements.
• Ability to work effectively with executives, managers, supervisors, employees, and employee representatives.
• Knowledge of program rules and requirements.
• Ability to maintain accurate, complete, and confidential records.
• Familiarity with word processing, spreadsheets, and database software.
• Proficiency in computerized record keeping and reporting.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Project management and conflict resolution skills.
• Familiarity with Alaska Native cultures, particularly Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian.

Minimum Qualifications (education, experience, skills):
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• *Child Development Associate (CDA) credential
• One (1) year of experience working with young children in a group setting.
• Possess a current First Aid/CPR certificate.
• Food Worker Card
• *HS Performance Standards state: a program must ensure Head Start Preschool assistant teachers, at a minimum, have a CDA credential or a State-awarded certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements for a CDA credential, are enrolled in a program that will lead to an associate or baccalaureate degree or, are enrolled in a CDA credential program to be completed within two years of the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications (education, experience, skills):
• AAS degree in Early Childhood Education

Physical Requirements. 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 with or without reasonable accommodation:
• The work is generally active, requiring routine walking, standing, bending, and carrying of items and/or children weighing up to 60 lbs.

Work Environment. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job:
• The majority of work is performed in a pre-school setting with a wide variety of children & people with differing functions, personalities, and abilities. The office is a non-smoking facility with outside smoking areas.