Head Start Substitute at Allegheny Intermediate Unit in Pittsburgh, PA

Position Summary:

Assist the teacher in providing activities and experiences which encourage questioning, probing, and problem solving skills that stimulate children to explore and express their creative abilities and promote physical health and wellness.

Assist the teacher in supervision and planning of educational, social, emotional, and physical development of the children in the Head Start Program appropriate to the developmental level of the children.

Implement daily classroom activities that are delegated by the teacher, to enhance child development and teamwork among staff and maintain a clean and healthy environment.

Help children acquire and use language as a means of communicating their thoughts, feelings, and self-esteem to others; help children learn how to get along and develop a sense of independence, and encourage feelings of mutual respect among the children in the group.

Assist the Teacher in providing a positive routine, creating simple rules with children that are understood by all, as well as ensuring an environment conducive to learning, while staying engaged with the children throughout the day.

Create an atmosphere of teamwork with all components of the program for the benefit of the participating child and his/her family.

Respond to other needs of the program as indicated by Supervisor/Administrator.

By leveraging strengths in AIU’s Core Competencies, the Teacher Assistant works closely with staff to provide children and families with a positive experience in AIU’s educational programs and activities.

Qualifications - External

Helps to coordinate the educational, social, emotional, and physical development of the children in the Head Start/Pre-K Counts program appropriate to the developmental level of each child, and plan the curriculum with the team.

Assist the teacher in facilitating a variety of appropriate activities and experiences, which encourage questioning, probing, and problem solving skills that stimulate children to explore and express their creative abilities and promote physical development and nutrition.

Help children acquire and use language as a means of communicating their thoughts, feelings, and self-esteem to others. Assist children in developing the social emotional skills needed to have positive interactions with peers and adults, foster independence and encourage feelings of mutual respect among all those in the classroom.

Work with the teacher to coordinate the daily activities of the children and the classroom to ensure a healthy, clean, and safe environment, and share responsibility with other adults in the classroom to maintain and clean toys and equipment.

Help develop and consistently follow a positive routine and simple rules that are understood and accepted by all. Create, select, and arrange materials and equipment to provide an environment conducive to learning, while remaining engaged with children throughout the day.

Work cooperatively with administrators and team members to successfully utilize web based platforms to manage and track child, family, teacher and classroom data. Perform recordkeeping, including written documentation, scheduled reports and mandated reporting, in a timely, accurate and confidential manner. Observe and document specific skills of the children in order to complete screenings and the assessment tool (three times per year) and develop IPPs for each Head Start Child/Pre-K Counts child.

Establish a positive and productive relationship with families by encouraging them to participate in the classroom’s activities, providing them with ideas for home activities and visiting the home a minimum of two times per year, as well as two parent conferences. (Home visiting is relevant to Head Start only.)

Create an atmosphere of teamwork with all service areas of Head Start/Pre-K Counts for the benefit of the child and his/her family.

Successfully attend and complete mandated trainings, professional development events and subsequently implement things learned with fidelity.

Reports to an Education Specialist for Classrooms or designee.

Contributes to the success of the AIU by performing all other duties as assigned.

Additional Requirements:

Current Act 114, Act 34, Act 151 and NSOR clearances are required prior to an offer (Must be dated within 1 year of hire date).

School Personnel Health Record (Form H511.340) must be completed and received by Human Resources prior to hire date.

Working Conditions:

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Be able to sit or stand for extended periods of time

Be able to sit on preschool-size chairs and floor as necessary

Walk up and down stairs, walk/run to implement services

Be able to lift, carry, push, and pull 50 pounds

Be able to kneel, crouch, bend and reach to retrieve and handle teaching materials and supplies and interact and facilitate the learning of the students

Be able to speak clearly and distinctly when communicating

Be able to hear clearly

Adequate vision to perform duties

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

Disclaimer: The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of this position.
Reports To: Head Start Supervisor
Department: Head Start
Position Schedule: Day-to-Day
Hourly Rate: $17.00