Assist the lead teacher in the daily operations of a Head Start classroom to promote the social-emotional, physical, and cognitive growth of preschool children. Maintain a safe learning environment and build strong partnerships with families to support child development.
Requirements summary
Requires a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or enrollment in a CDA program, along with professional proficiency in English. Candidates must pass comprehensive background checks and be capable of performing medium to heavy physical work.
professional certificateConfidentialityInterpersonal CommunicationCollaborationMicrosoft OfficeBilingualismChild SupervisionClassroom ManagementLesson PlanningFirst AidPediatric CPRObservation and AssessmentParental Engagement
Job description
Position Title: Assistant Teacher
Employee Type: Full-Time Regular
Supervisor Title: Teacher, Head Start or Center Director
Division
Head Start, U.S. Programs
Save the Children
For over 100 years, Save the Children has been fighting for the rights of children.
The right to a healthy start in life.
To have access to education.
To be in a safe environment, protected from harm.
We work in some of the world’s hardest-to-reach places – over 100 countries, including the U.S.
No matter what your role is, when you join Save the Children, you’re creating positive, irreversible change for children, and the future we all share.
The Role
Assistant Teacher assists in the instruction of preschool-aged children in activities designed to promote social-emotional, physical, and cognitive growth. You will be responsible for assisting the Teacher in the general day-to-day operations of the Head Start classroom. You will assist in creating and nurturing strong partnerships with families and ensuring that instruction is consistent with best practice and of the highest level of quality, in compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards.
As a frontline representative of Save the Children, you are required to ensure the safety and security of children and families that you come into contact with, adhering to the agency’s values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaborations, Creativity and Integrity.
What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)
*not inclusive of all role responsibilities. May be subject to change
Engage with children during all activities throughout the day; provide constant supervision of children during all learning activities indoors and outdoors and ensure a safe environment.
Assist in planning and conducting activities with Head Start Teacher to meet individual needs of children in accordance with the daily schedule.
Guide and facilitate activities with Head Start Teacher including classroom projects and field trips.
Maintain classroom management using developmentally appropriate techniques.
Provide a safe and developmentally appropriate learning environment; interact with children one-on-one and in small groups.
Benefits
Dental Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Life Insurance
Paid Time Off
Health Insurance
Vision Insurance
Holidays
Health Savings Account
Flexible Spending Account
Parental Leave
Short Term Disability
Long Term Disability
Tuition Assistance
Personal Days
Adoption Benefits
Mentorship
Retirement Savings Plan
Fertility Benefits
Wellness Support
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
Annual Merit Increases
Certification Assistance
Winter Break
Learning and Development Opportunities
Spring Break
Build effective relationships within the organization, the children, and their families.
Protect the safety of children by implementing active supervision techniques to ensure no child is left alone or unsupervised at any time
Work closely with management to ensure program compliments Head Start Program Performance Standards.
Serve as a liaison between staff and parents; partner with parents in the education of their children including encouraging classroom involvement and home activities.
Participate in parent-teacher conferences to discuss children’s individual development and progress.
Eat with and assist children with eating at mealtime to teach social and self-help skills and sound nutritional practices.
Assist children in health and personal habits, such as resting, brushing teeth and toilet habits.
Assist the Head Start Teacher in record keeping; conduct and document observations, assessments and screenings.
Participate in staff meetings, committees, and training sessions.
Assist in the mobilization and documentation of matching in-kind activities, goods and services.
Work may require flexibility to stay until all children have left the program.
In cooperation with supervisor, develop and document progress on professional development plans.
Will be required to take the lead in the absence of a teacher.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Child Development Associate (CDA) or credential of a state-awarded certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements for a CDA credential or be enrolled in a CDA credential program to be completed within two years of the time of hire.
Professional proficiency in spoken and written English
Demonstrated knowledge of the purpose of the Head Start/Early Head Start program.
Demonstrated successful interpersonal, communication and organizational skills; ability to follow directions and take initiative.
Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate successfully with individuals and teams at all levels, including students, families, coworkers, and community members.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with Head Start Teacher, other staff, parents and community partners in the provision of high-quality services to children and families.
Proven ability to keep all information on families strictly confidential.
Professional proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and on-line client management systems.
Must participate in professional development training including basic first aid and pediatric CPR certification as required by state licensing and HSPPS
Preferred Qualifications
Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish or English and other languages used by children and families).
If in North Carolina, holding a Birth-Kindergarten (B-K) Licensure preferred.
Additional Qualifications • Physical Requirements related to essential functions
Ability to perform medium to heavy physical work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently and up to 5-10 pounds constantly, performing such activities as sitting, crawling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting and grasping. This also includes some duties that require repetitive action and motion skills, keyboarding, and computer use.
Clear pre-employment background check requirements, including local, state, and national criminal records check, sex offender registries, employment, and education verifications (including child abuse registry check if required by state regulations) and pass all state and local health requirements required post job offer and prior to employment.
This position may require the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle to fulfill certain essential functions of the job. The incumbent should maintain a valid driver’s license and remain in compliance with any Save the Children policies pertaining to the safe operation of motor vehicles.
Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.
About Us
We are looking to build an inclusive team at Save the Children. We offer a range of outstanding benefits to support this goal:
Paid time off: 10 days winter break and 5 days spring break, 5 personal days, 11 holidays plus 2 floating holidays per year.
Health: Competitive health care, dental and vision coverage for you and your family. Employer paid short term disability and long-term disability benefits.
Health Savings Accounts (HSA): Option to select HSA if enrolled into a High-Deductible Health Plan in which the company matches a portion of the contribution.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Option to enroll in health care and dependent care options.
Life: Agency paid life and accidental death and dismemberment benefits (AD&D).
Retirement: Retirement savings plan with employer contributions (after one year)
Wellness: Health benefits and support through Calm and company-hosted events
Employee Assistance Program: Free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services
Learning & Growth: Access to internal and external learning & development opportunities and mentorships. Certification and tuition assistance.
Click here to learn more about how Save the Children US will invest in you.
Save the Children is committed to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and helping protect the children with whom we are in contact. All Save the Children representatives are explicitly prohibited from engaging in any activity that may result in any kind of child abuse.
Save the Children is committed to minimizing safety and security risks for our valued employees, ensuring all are given training, support and information to reduce their risk exposure while maximizing the impact of our programs for children and families. Our shared duty, both agency and individual, is to seek and maintain safe working conditions for all.
If you require disability assistance with the application or recruitment process, please submit a request to applicantsupport@savechildren.org.
In Louisiana, teaching assistant roles often draw steady interest because schools and early childhood programs value candidates who can support classroom routines and child development. Competition is usually strongest for applicants with a CDA, early childhood coursework, or prior Head Start or preschool experience. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then confirm your credential status and highlight any hands-on classroom experience in your application.
