Teaching Assistant in Chester

Teacher Assistants play a vital role in our mission to give every child a strong start. Working as part of a collaborative teaching team, you'll help create classrooms that are safe, engaging, and full of opportunities for growth. You'll become familiar with the standards that guide our work—Head Start Performance Standards, Vermont Early Learning Standards, and state child care licensing regulations—and help ensure children experience high-quality care every single day. Teamwork is at the heart of this role: you'll meet regularly with colleagues, share ideas, and work side-by-side to support each child's development.

Primary Functions

• Meet the qualifications for at least Trainee in the Vermont Child Care Licensing Regulations for Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs and Head Start Performance Standards.
• Model positive, respectful interactions with adults and children alike.
• Participate in a developmentally appropriate preschool experience for children.
• Participate in parent activities in collaboration with Family Partners.
• Participate in regularly scheduled individual supervision meetings, team meetings, center staff meetings, staff development days, and SEVCA All Staff meetings.
• Participate in ongoing training according to an Individualized Professional Development Plan that meets the requirements of the Vermont Child Care Licensing Regulations for Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs for this position.
• Assist the lead teacher and teacher associate with aspects of the classroom including paperwork, curriculum planning, screenings, and documentation for children's assessments.
• Assist in daily room maintenance.
• Substitute for the teacher/teacher associate in her absence.
• Respect and respond competently to the culture, traditions, lifestyle, language, and values of each family and community.
• Offer parents opportunities to be involved in group activities, meetings, and educational activities based on their interest and need.
• Facilitate and support family engagement activities in collaboration with Family Partners.
• Contribute to the Monthly Newsletter.
• Contribute input to monthly Case Management meetings with Family Partners.
• Ability to speak the language of the majority of the children in the classroom.
• Ability to work collaboratively with coworkers and maintain a team effort at all times.
• Represent the program at local, state and regional meetings and conferences.
• Ability to lift, twist, and turn with 50 pounds of weight.
• Enter and submit biweekly attendance to Child Care Services Manager (for full day classrooms only).
• Behavior management and interactions with children must be positive and respectful.
• Fulfill role as mandated reporter as stated in Child Abuse and Neglect Policy.
• Be present at work in order to provide consistency of services.
• Complete needs assessment and participate in the practice-based coaching model within the program, if selected.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Current CDA, completed Fundamentals Class, or completed 3 credits in early childhood education; or high school diploma/GED and completion of Fundamentals Class or 3 credit course in early childhood education within the first 12 months of employment.
• Minimum of 15 clock hours of professional development activities each year.
• Experience working with young groups of children.
• Experience with working with low-income families.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of families and children at all times.
• Ability to obtain a satisfactory criminal record and fingerprint check.
• Collaborative, team-oriented approach to work and working relationships.