Teacher Assistant $1000 Sign on Bonus!!!
*PLEASE BE SURE TO UPLOAD PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT RECORD (PDR) FOR CONSIDERATION*
Position Summary:
Under the direction of the Managing Associate Teacher and Early Learning site based leadership team assists in overseeing and directing the planning, organizing, and implementation of education services for children, in addition to full time classroom teacher duties, which includes developing and implementing individual educational plans for children.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
- Ensure an emotionally safe climate by upholding and demonstrating the practices outlined in the NAEYC Code of Conduct in all interactions with children, families, and colleagues.
- Utilize strategies for Active Supervision throughout the day and in all spaces (indoors and outdoors) to ensure child safety and wellbeing.
- Support the daily implementation of the Center’s Best Practice Schedule and Napping Policy.
- Perform the functions of this position with a strong understanding of the Head Start Performance Standards and the component plans; and thorough knowledge and application of Developmentally Appropriate Practices;
- Collaborate with the MAT and Program Advisor team in the creation and facilitation of studies to support weekly lesson plans including daily activities, field trips, selecting and arranging equipment and materials in the classroom;
- Cooperate with other staff and classroom groups to maintain sound functioning of the program in compliance with all state and federal regulations, which at times may require changes to meet the needs of the children;
- Maintain a comprehensive and ongoing developmental portfolio for each child, including annual developmental screening, Teaching Strategies Gold observational data in each core objective, examples of the child's work, and informal observations.
- Conduct and use 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;
- Implement family style meals and eat with and assist children in development of social and self-help skills, and sound nutritional practices;
- Collaborate with family support staff to exchange information pertinent to the identification and services of children with disabilities;
- Collaborate with the mental health and program advisor teams to support the developmental needs of children and ensure developmentally appropriate practices;
- Guide children's acquisition of social skills and the ability to meet widely held expectations across all developmental domains.
- Attend staff training and meetings, and board and parent meetings as requested;
- Maintain a safe and healthy classroom environment. Assure that classroom equipment, furniture, materials, and supplies are responsive to children's needs, properly maintained and stored;
- Use the playground as an extension of the classroom; assures that the playground is safe;
- Assist in conducting the daily health and environment checklist;
- Assist in implementing children's I.E.P. (Individual Education Plan) or I.F.S.P. (Individual Family Service Plan) seeking clarification for any aspects that are not well understood;
- Assist in recruiting and orienting volunteers, providing them with guidance as needed,
- Complete and submit required forms and records in a timely and accurate fashion, e.g., lesson plans, time sheets, meal reports etc.;
- The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by a person in this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed in such a position
Qualifications and Requirements:
- An associate’s degree in early childhood education or child development and a Level 4 ECE and IT credential; or
- A baccalaureate and a Level 4 ECE and IT credential;
- Have knowledge and experience in the philosophy and practices of Head Start (or comparable child development programs), early childhood education, developmentally appropriate practice, and bilingual education;
- Proof of a physical examination within the last six months, which includes a tuberculosis test, and comply with other background checks as required by Head Start Performance Standards (HSPPS), the Center, and/or DCFS licensing;
- Personal qualifications as required in Part 407: Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers, emotional maturity, willingness to cooperate with the aims of the program, respect for children and adults, flexibility, patience, good personal hygiene, and physical and mental health which does not interfere with responsibilities;
- An education or experience in collaborating with parents in the education of their children.
Additional Requirements:
- Requires ability to use abstract reasoning, problem solving, planning, and analytical skills in: Training, evaluation, and program development;
- Requires effective interpersonal and oral communication skills for supervisory duties;
- Requires effective writing and oral communication skills;
- Requires proficient use of technology, Microsoft word, Outlook, and the ability to acclimate to online portal usage for recording observations, assessments, and lesson planning.
- Successful experience working in a team setting;
- Ability to present a positive image of the organization to members of the community;
- Visual and auditory acuity within professionally determined normal ranges, with correction if need;
- Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer and office equipment, including, but not limited to, the telephone, fax machine, copier, and tape recorder;
- Must be able to lift 55 pounds;
- Experience successfully working with a culturally diverse staff and program stakeholders.
Working Conditions:
- Possible exposure to blood and bodily fluids or tissues;
- Possible exposure to communicable diseases;
- Job requires sitting for long period of time (during planning and reporting) and standing for long periods of time (during work with children, observations, and training), as well as stooping, squatting, and running.
Work Schedule:
Please note: Staff hours may vary slightly, as team members are expected to rotate shifts and take turns opening and closing. You will be assigned one of the following shifts:
- 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- 8:15 AM – 5:15 PM
- 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Benefits:
- Health Insurance (medical, dental, vision)
- Retirement savings plan (401(k))
- Paid Time Off (vacation, sick leave, holiday)
- Employee Assistance Program
- 2026-27 CRCL Benefits Guide
- CRCL 2026-2027 Bi-Weekly Rate Sheet
- If you are having issues accessing the link, please be sure to check out our Careers page for more information!
Carole Robertson Center for Learning provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
