Teaching Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

Position Title : Teaching Assistant

Program : Thrive to Five

Classification : Non-Exempt / Full Time

Multiple positions may be filled with this posting.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBITIES

Educational Services : promote cognitive development and + learning dispositions in ALL children.

• Assists with implementing Creative Curriculum, Thrive to Five Daily Structures, and instructional strategies in accordance with program guidelines to fidelity.
• Follows schedules, daily routines and lesson plans of each classroom.
• Plans lessons when needed.
• Prepares classrooms.
• Uses responsive language with children.
• Assesses children’s developmental levels using a variety of assessment tools and plans lessons with Lead teacher.
• Collaborates with Lead Teacher in the observation of children in the classroom and collecting data for GOLD assessment to inform differentiated & individual instruction, scaffolding children’s learning, & meeting program readiness goals
• Enters GOLD observations and assigns levels on continuum that accurately reflect authentic descriptions of children’s behaviors

Health and Safety : promote healthy growth & habits in children and provide a safe environment.

• Follows all safety and health procedures and expectations as outlined by regulatory standards (DHS, STARS, EHS, or Head Start Performance standards).
• Provides adequate supervision of children at all times as defined in Thrive to Five policies and procedures.
• Follow all meal service standards as outlined by CACFP.
• Follows all guidance to prevent the spread of illness as defined by Thrive to Five’s policies and procedures such as but not limited to daily health checks, use of gloves and masks, etc.
• Uses meals & snacks times to teach about health, sanitation and proper nutrition
• Assists with ensuring all children receive the required dental, vision, hearing, and BMI screenings under the guidance of the lead teacher and the Health and Safety manager.
• Teaches children proper safety skills such as but not limited to tooth brushing, hand washing, walking to / from spaces, using tissues, etc.
• Follows all procedures when assisting children with the toilet or changing a diaper.
• Follows all procedures when supervising and assisting children with rest time. IE, following safe sleep procedures for infants.

Supervising rest time appropriately with older children.

Social Emotional : promotes healthy social and emotional growth in children.

• Implements PBIS universal practices established by Thrive to Five.
• Teaches and models social-emotional skills and practices.
• Implements interventions, such as, Teacher Support Plans and Safety Plans with support from intra / inter agency teams (Program Coordinators, Early Childhood Behavior Specialists (ECBS) or Mental Health Consultants).
• Maintains current knowledge about challenging behavior and mental health concerns.
• Implements behavior support plans as needed.
• Follows the responsive scale of discipline.
• Collaborates with Lead Teacher using & following screening and referral system for children suspected of having a disability
• Works with Lead Teacher, Early Learning Coordinator, Education, Behavior & Disabilities (EBD) Specialist & Health Manager and itinerant early intervention teachers in ongoing assessment and instructional planning for children with disabilities, health needs, and challenging behavior.
• Implements individualized instruction for children (with teacher guidance) with disabilities and individual needs.

Family Engagement : promotes and facilitates respectful, mutually supportive relationships with families.

• Assists in providing a welcoming culturally inclusive environment for families. Models’ enthusiasm and promotes parent / child activities.
• Maintains parent / staff rapport and mutual confidence and trust with classroom team.
• Uses assessment to develop long- and short-range plans for parent’s participation in their child’s learning experiences.
• Collaborates with Lead Teacher in delivering evidence-based family engagement practices that reflect the Thrive to Five’s PFCE Framework.
• Provides updates on classroom closures.

Professionalism : promotes and maintains professional relationships.

• Provides support and supervision to Floating Teaching Assistant(s), Bus Monitor(s), outside agency or community and / or parent volunteers in the absence of the teacher
• Follows all Community Action Partnership (CAP) and Thrive to Five policies, procedures and systems.
• Demonstrates the CAP Values.
• Works with Early Learning Coordinator ensures compliance with all applicable regulations and quality standards.
• Works with Early Learning Coordinator to reflect on coaching feedback and set professional development goals.
• Work with all staff to develop strategies to resolve interpersonal problems that affect program operation.
• Attends and participates in mandatory training, workshops, and meetings related to professional development and job requirements and such optional training as necessary to maintain optimal performance.
• Maintains all required certifications and licenses.
• Supports their peers to understand program routines and expectations. Support and peer to peer coaching occurs to support collaboration and growth across the program.
• Timely review and response to internal and external communications.
• Actively participates in committee work as needed.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned

Program Implementation

• Determine eligibility and enroll customers into utility assistance programs
• Maintain open communication with your supervisor
• Provide additional information and referrals to other community resources
• Conduct face to face intake and assessments for utility assistance services
• Answer calls, retrieve messages and returns calls in a timely manner
• Support UGI Specialist as needed
• Provide excellent customer service; respond to customer’s concerns and work towards resolution

Data Management

• Enter data in the Empower Lancaster system
• Conduct financial assessments, scan and upload income documents in portals
• Maintain current and accurate records and case notes
• Maintain service logs and paperwork required by all utility contractors

Continuous Quality & Performance Improvement

• Complete work with fidelity and accuracy
• Meet time goals as outlined by supervisor
• Use reflective listening and other self-reflection tools to aid the person or family in reaching greater stability
• Provide for the confidentiality of protected customer and program information
• Work with LEAD Specialist to resolve urgent matters
• Work independently efficiently and with integrity

Teamwork, Partnerships & Collaboration

• Work with coworkers in a respectful, meaningful way to best serve the customers and to develop best practices for workflow and projects.
• Collaborate / Advocate with other CAP programs to ensure stability and partnership
• Connect to other community programs to ensure viable partnerships are developed to enhance program delivery and referral process
• Represent the Utility Assistance department, as requested, at public community events

Innovation and Professional Development

• Participate in regular meetings and ongoing professional development in relation to project and organizational goals
• Attend utility forums / trainings with PPL and UGI
• Participate in program evaluation, development and problem solving
• Set individual professional goals and steps for attainment, frequently re-evaluating

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Qualifications : A high school diploma or GED with documented 2500 hours of experience with children, 30 college credit hours in education or related human services field, or a combination of experience and education equivalent as outlined to PA’s Department of Human Services Assistant Group Supervisor qualifications.

Must meet the preferred qualifications within a year of employment in this position.

Preferred Qualifications : Child Development Associate credential or Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.

Other Qualifications :

• Ability to speak, read and write fluently in English; effective communication skills, both orally and written.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as performance standards, information memoranda and program guidance; ability to write reports and correspondence;

ability to speak effectively in meetings with families, staff and community partners

• Ability to use data base software to enter child assessment and program data and Microsoft Office programs
• Positive recommendation from previous employer / supervisor regarding work performance and relevant knowledge and skills
• PA Act 33 and 34 certifiable, FBI clearances, NSOR clearances
• Current driver’s license and vehicle available to travel to Head Start sites and professional development
• Ability to work flexible hours and attend night and out-of-town meetings as necessary
• Respect and sensitivity toward cultural differences
• Demonstrated success in working as a team member

The physical demands described here are a representative of those that must be met by an employee to

successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentials functions of the job.

• Ability to lift 25lbs and move 50lbs with the assistance of a wheeled cart.
• Reasonably close and distant visual acuity to conduct classroom observations.
• Ability to perform office functions, such as sitting and typing.

Please see attached for full job description

WE Values our Team by uniting our employees with the mission. WE offer strong purpose with a compassion for work-life balance.

Below is a glimpse of our robust benefits offered :

• Sign-on Bonus
• Benefits : Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage / 403(b) Plan / Life Insurance / EAP Program
• Generous number of PTO Days banked annually
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employer- Assisted First Time Homebuyer Program

Equal Employment Opportunity

CAP provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, gender, disability, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, veterans status or genetic information.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Applicants as well as employees who are or become disabled must be able to perform the essential duties and responsibilities either unaided or with reasonable accommodation.

The agency will determine reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.