Teacher Assistant

Company: Lutheran Services Florida
Location: Largo
Posted on: October 9, 2021

Job Description:

Teacher Assistant for Pinellas Head Start / Early Head Start
Mon - Fri / 40 Hours

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong and communities are vibrant. Since 1982, Lutheran Services Florida has been providing and sharing solutions to protect Florida’s most vulnerable. Today, we are one of the largest nonprofits in Florida touching 1 in 50 Floridians with a wide range of services, including:

• early childhood education
• refugee and immigration
• mental health and substance abuse
• juvenile justice
• child welfare

LSF is looking for a talented Teacher Assistant who wants to make an impact in the lives of others.

Purpose & Impact:

Works as part of a teaching team in developing activities for preschool children. Assists the teacher in carrying out the goals, policies, and activities designed to implement educational objectives and performance standards. Works with families to promote parent involvement in the program. May serve as Bus Monitor on activities where the program transports children. May perform additional duties based on program needs and areas of developing expertise. Participates in the HS/EHS Quality Assurance efforts.

A Day in The Life of a Teacher Assistant

• Participates in pre-service training.
• Implement approved curricula in the classroom.
• Perform the functions of this position with a strong understanding of the Head Start Performance Standards and the component plans.
• With the teacher, guide and facilitate activities of the children, including daily activities, field trips, selecting and arranging equipment and materials in the classroom.
• 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.
• Write weekly observations per assessment procedure.
• Use parent conferences to discuss the child's individual development and progress, assist the parents in developing observational skills and solicit parent observations.
• Eat with and assist children in the development of social and self-help skills, and sound nutritional practices.
• If needed, serves as a bus monitor in the transportation of children and engages children in song and other developmentally appropriate activities during the ride.
• Guide children's acquisition of social skills.
• Attend staff training and meetings, and board and parent meetings as requested.
• Assist in providing and maintaining a safe and healthy developmentally appropriate environment.
• Assists the teacher in ensuring that at least 80% of the children are kindergarten-ready.
• Assists in quality staff-child interactions resulting in a CLASS scores greater than the lowest 10% of the threshold in each domain.
• Uses active supervision techniques and maintains positive classroom behavior.
• Receives a satisfactory or higher score on the Teacher Assistant Success Rubric.
• Assists teacher in maintaining a comprehensive and ongoing portfolio assessment for each child, including weekly observations in each area, examples of the child's work, and a developmental assessment.
• Assists teacher in conducting and using home visits and parent conferences to discuss the child's individual development and progress, assist the parents in developing observational skills and solicit parent observations;
• Assist in conducting the daily health and environment checklist.
• Assists in recruiting and orienting volunteers, providing them with guidance as needed.
• Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start/Early Head Start children, families, and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Assists the teacher in the completion of required reports.
• Completes timely and accurate timesheets.
• Distributes newsletters, flyers, and other information to families as instructed by the supervisor.
• Attends all training, workshops, and meetings as deemed necessary by the supervisor.
• Attends all required staff and parent meetings and activities.
• Performs other duties, as may be required.

Qualifications 

Education: Graduation from high school or possession of a GED Certificate; and

Required: A National Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) for Preschool Endorsement or AS/AA in Early Childhood Education or Child Development or related degree.

A National Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) for Infant/Toddler Endorsement, if applicable; and

A Certificate of Completion of an approved 10 hour Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Preschoolers or Infant/Toddlers Course; and

Proof of successful completion of the following courses: 6 hours Child Growth and Development; 6 hours Behavioral Observation & Screening; 8 hours Health, Safety & Nutrition; 4 hours Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect; and 6 hours Child Care Facility Rules and Regulations, or a 30 hour Introductory Child Care Training Course.

Preferred Education:

Associate or higher degree from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Development or a related field with 18 credit hours in Early Childhood Education; and a Certificate of Completion of an approved 10 hour Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Preschoolers or Infant/Toddlers Course; and proof of successful completion of the following courses: 6 hours Child Growth and Development; 6 hours Behavioral Observation & Screening; 8 hours Health, Safety & Nutrition; 4 hours Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect; and 6 hours Child Care Facility Rules and Regulations, or a 30 hour Introductory Child Care Training Course and possession of a National Credential Child Development Associate (CDA) for Infant/Toddlers or Preschool Endorsement; if applicable. In addition, all state-mandated courses for the Voluntary prekindergarten required.

Why work for LSF?

Ability to Make an Impact in Multiple Areas

LSF offers several programs, spanning across a wide range of populations in need. This gives our team members an opportunity to learn and potentially work in programs outside of their direct area. Either way, members of the LSF family will play a part in transforming the lives of those in need.

Community

A career at LSF means working and learning alongside talented professionals in a dynamic and inclusive environment. The values of our organization – OPEN-MINDED, COMPASSIONATE, GENEROUS, VISIONARY and HONESTY – drives each one of us.

People working at Lutheran Services Florida treat each other like family. Whether you work on the front lines or work in an office, you share a common bond that is felt throughout the organization.

Growth Opportunities

Because of the variety of programs we offer throughout Florida, team members have the option to explore areas of interest in other programs or grow within their existing program/department.

Amazing benefits package including:

• Medical, dental and vision
• Teledoc (24/7 access to doctors via phone and video)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Long-term disability
• Employer paid life insurance (1X salary), AD&D
• Health and dependent care FSA
• Paid holidays
• Generous PTO policy
• 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match
• Tuition reimbursement
• Additional voluntary benefits:
  • Short-term disability
  • Group life insurance
  • Accident, critical illness/Cancer and hospital policy
  • Legal Shield coverage

Lutheran Family Services embraces diversity, equity and inclusion in all business practices. LSF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Lutheran Services Florida Children & Head Start Services

2210 Tall Pines Drive Suite 220 Largo, FL 33771

EOE/DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE

Keywords: Lutheran Services Florida, Largo , Teacher Assistant, Other , Largo, Florida