Head Start Assistant Teacher - Memphis, TN

Teachers at Porter-Leath want to make a difference in children's lives and see their students achieve great things. As the premiere provider of Head Start programs in Memphis, the agency is committed to helping high-risk children in Shelby County get ready to succeed in kindergar ...

Job description

Teachers at Porter-Leath want to make a difference in children's lives and see their students achieve great things. As the premiere provider of Head Start programs in Memphis, the agency is committed to helping high-risk children in Shelby County get ready to succeed in kindergarten. Our Assistant Teachers understand the valuable role education plays in improving the community.

Our Assistant Teachers:

• Assist/aid classroom teachers in their shared mission to improve the quality of education offered to Porter-Leath's students
• Assist the nutrition staff with preparing high-quality meals for students
• Relieve teachers during periods of absence and during breaks
• Remain a flexible and organized team player in order to help all members of the Porter-Leath Community

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Child Development Associate (CDA in Preschool) required or obtained within 18 months of hire.
• Associate's degree or higher in Early Childhood Education or related field preferred. 
• Previous Head Start experience preferred.
• One (1) year of relevant work experience with infants, toddlers, and/or preschoolers preferred.
• CPR and First Aid certification preferred.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Performs according to the standards set forth by Head Start, DHS / TDOE, NAEYC, CACFP, USDA, Tennessee Day Care Licensing, and Porter-Leath while performing duties within the kitchen and classroom.
2. Provides classroom coverage for Teachers and Assistant Teachers when absent or out of the classroom; Assume responsibilities as the primary caregiver for one group of children for Teachers/Assistant Teachers, including children with special needs when assigned.
3. Plans and Implements developmentally appropriate activities of enrichment and care for one classroom of children according to the standards set forth by Head Start, DHS/ TDOE, NAEYC, CACFP, USDA, Tennessee Day Care Licensing, and Porter-Leath.
4. Performs duties as a role model to clients and staff; acts as a mentor to families of children in a group.
5. Keeps Supervisor and Manager informed of programmatic issues in a timely and concise manner. (Immediately/within 24 hrs).
6. Works cooperatively with other staff to create a positive, enriching, and safe environment for children, families, and staff.
7. Assists program staff in delivering appropriate health, nutrition, disability, education, and family support services to children and families in accordance with program policies, procedures, and service plans. 
8. Assists in implementing daily education procedures in the classroom while adhering to best practices; assists in ensuring that children are involved in activities suited to their immediate emotional, social, intellectual, and physical needs; provides ample activity options to children.
9. Ensures communication with nutrition staff, health/disability/nutrition staff, and education staff in order to fulfill special diet needs.
10. Assists in the preparation and serving of meals to prep and serve meals in quantities according to menu and a number of persons to be served to make appropriate substitutions when necessary in accordance with USDA recommended daily dietary allowances and family-style dining requirements; comply with all Health Department and Porter-Leath requirements regarding food preparation, food storage, cleanliness, and kitchen sanitation.
11. Assists in maintaining appropriate attendance records, meal counts, etc. necessary to produce reports.
12. Conduct regular home visits and parent teacher conferences with families.
13. Assists with and conducts ongoing child evaluations, screenings and assessments.
14. Keeps accurate student files/educational records.
15. Provides an environment that is safe and conducive to learning.
16. Familiarity with and implements Conscious Discipline strategies and techniques to support positive teacher/child interactions and social emotional growth of all children.
17. Implements the Pyramid Model to identify appropriate classroom management techniques to use in the classroom.
18. Attend meetings as necessary to support student development and promote student outcomes. 
19. Contributes to team effort by performing other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit and talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to use their hands to finger, handle, or feel.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and color vision.  Work in a non-smoking area.

Special Conditions

Maintain a valid driver's license with a good driving record and an appropriate level of insurance.

NOTE: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification.  They are not intended to be constructed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Revised 9/2024