Location
Poplar Bluff, Missouri
Salary
$16 - $16 / HOUR
Assist the lead teacher in implementing daily activities to support the physical, emotional, and intellectual development of children in a safe environment. Provide direct care and supervision during classroom activities, mealtimes, and field trips while maintaining required documentation.
Requires a high school diploma and the ability to obtain a Pre-School Child Development Associate (CDA) credential within six months of hire. Candidates must pass background, drug, and TB screenings and be physically capable of lifting 55 pounds.
Assist with direction of classroom activities, health, safety and well-being of the children during time in the Head Start program. Work as a team with other teaching staff and assist with daily activities in the Head Start center as required. Assist in developing weekly lesson plans and activities as needed to meet children’s individual needs. Perform teaching tasks as outlined in curriculum and performance standards. Assist with all requirements of teaching position, including home visits, screening and assessment of children and other required documentation and duties. Perform duties of the teacher, when necessary, due to teacher’s absence. Provide communication between staff and parents concerning children. Relay messages between parents and Center Staff. Be positive with parents and children as the program’s first and last contact of the day. Participate in appropriate Head Start training. Attend parent committee meetings, center staff meetings, in-service training, and other training as required or requested by management staff and/or supervisor. Ensure that emergency supplies are maintained and properly stored in accordance with agency policy and procedures. Ensure that communication system is tested regularly and kept in working order. Communication system is utilized for Head Start business only. Work cooperatively with all Head Start staff. Responsible for assisting with special needs children, as well as other children in the Head Start classroom. Assist in classroom, bathroom, mealtimes, playground, and field trips. Assist with documentation of required paperwork for children with special needs. Assist with recruiting age eligible children. Report all accidents to supervisor immediately. Understand responsibility of being a mandated reporter for Child Abuse and Neglect. Read and understand Child Abuse and Neglect Policy. Failure to follow reporting procedures, including incidents involving other staff members, may result in termination. Never leave a child unattended. Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisors.
High school diploma or equivalent. Must obtain a Pre-School Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Must begin CDA classes within six months of hire date. Attend college classes when required by agency. Knowledge of program curriculum, developmentally appropriate practice, and related program performance standards. Relate to children and parents in a positive, constructive manner. Develop and implement classroom activities based on children’s individual needs. Work well with other center staff, parents, and managers. Knowledge of basic child development as well as child care and guidance knowledge. Maintain conduct that promotes a positive image to staff, parents, agency and community. Obtain initial medical exam and TB assessment within 30 days of employment. Complete a medical exam and TB assessment every five years following initial employment. Pass background screen, child abuse/neglect screen, drug screen, and be subject to random drug testing. Additional requirements: Possess personal qualifications: emotional maturity, willingness to cooperate with the standards of the program, respect for children and adults, flexibility, patience, good personal hygiene, and physical and mental health which does not interfere with responsibilities. Must have good verbal communication skills and visual ability to observe children. Ability to fulfill responsibilities under pressure, including during emergencies. Working Conditions: Risk of exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues. Risk involved with travel on main highways, side streets and rural roads during the transportation of children. Risk of exposure to communicable diseases. Must be able to lift 55 pounds, many times a day, climb into the school bus, bend, kneel and squat frequently. Job requires standing for long periods of time, as well as stooping, squatting, running; and sitting in child sized chairs and/or on the floor. 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, including changes in location, classroom, caseload, and hours. The Executive Director may, at any time, for disciplinary purposes, the utilization of personnel, or for the general good of the program, reassign an employee from one position to another position. _______________________________________________________________________ I accept the duties and responsibilities as outlined in this position description. This position is not exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act. _________________________________ ______________________ Signature of Employee Date _________________________________ ______________________ Signature of Supervisor/Mentor Date of Orientation
Market context
In Missouri, teaching assistant roles often draw steady interest because schools and early childhood programs need candidates who can support classrooms for ages 0-5. These positions are competitive when applicants already have a CDA or early childhood college credits, plus CPR and First Aid certification and experience with young children. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then confirm your credentials and recent child-care experience before applying.
Salary benchmark
$35,228 avg / yr
Typical range: $31,200–$37,440 based on 32 active listings in Missouri