Educational Assistant Pre-K

Overview

Job Description

Hamilton County Schools, located in Chattanooga, TN, is working to ensure that all students thrive and experience a future without limits. We are committed to excellence for every student and are seeking outstanding leaders, teachers, support staff, and district employees who desire to make a difference in the lives of students. With nearly 75 schools, we are confident that you can find your place in Hamilton County.

Learn more about working for Hamilton County Schools at careers.hcde.org and get to know us and our strategic plan, Opportunity 2030.

The purpose of this job is to provide support to the classroom teacher in developing and implementing a developmentally appropriate program for pre-k students.

Responsibilities

• NOTE: The pre-k assistant works under the direction and supervision of the classroom teacher.
• Acts in a professional, respectful, and welcoming manner at all times.
• Creates a customer-focused climate and provides quality services and support to school and other stakeholders.
• Complies with applicable district, state, and federal codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures. This includes but is not limited to: Tennessee State Board of Education Administered Child Care Rules, Scope of Services for Voluntary Pre-K for Tennessee Program, and the Hamilton County Department of Education Pre-K Handbook.
• Assists the classroom teacher planning and implementing a high quality, responsive early childhood program, to meet the needs of groups and individual children in a school or community-based pre-kindergarten program.
• Assists the classroom teacher with classroom learning by facilitating and/or supporting activities in the following areas: morning meeting, story time, center time, songs, word play, letters and numbers, and small group work, and end of the day meeting. Works with individual students or small group of students as directed by the classroom teacher.
• Supervises children inside and outside, including, but not limited to, recess, field trips, classroom activities and mealtime. Note: Pre-k children are never to be left alone and must be supervised at all times.
• Eats with pre-k students at mealtimes and snacks. Assists with serving meals and snacks.
• Assists with the assessment and evaluation of learning and maintains accurate records of student progress.
• Assists with the preparation of materials for use in the program.
• Assists and maintains an orderly, positive learning environment. Uses positive behavior management strategies to address inappropriate student behavior. Maintains a positive, respectful, caring approach with pre-k children regardless of the student’s inappropriate behavior. NEVER administers corporal punishment.
• Assists with identification of and attention to children’s health and hygiene.
• Follows chain of command when addressing issues or concerns.
• Attends required in-service and professional development.
• Provides required documents/checks as required by District, State and Federal law after employment. This includes but is not limited to: background check and Health Certification Statement. Note: Failure to comply with District, State, and Federal mandates may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment with HCDE.
• Perform miscellaneous tasks as needed. This includes but is not limited to checking students for possible illness; administering basic first aid to sick/injured students, helping students with transitioning into the day and preparing to leave for the day and assisting with sign in and sign out of children each day.
• Communicates through the proper channels to keep supervisor and other appropriate personnel informed of impending problems or events of unusual nature.
• Follows established procedures for ensuring assigned areas are safe.
• Works collaboratively with school staff, students, parents, and other stakeholders.
• Attends work and arrives to work on time.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Adheres to the Teacher Code of Ethics as defined by Tennessee Law.
  
  

• Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate or associate degree in early childhood or be actively working toward those credentials preferred. High school diploma or GED required; basic technology skills required; general office/clerical experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must possess one of the following before reporting to work: (1) 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours; (2) An Associate’s degree or higher; (3) passing score on PRAXIS for Parapro Exam. Must have current CPR and Frist Aid training or be willing to obtain.
  
  

• Ability to effectively listen and communicate verbally and in writing.
• Ability to document student progress as specified by the classroom teacher.
• Ability to follow teacher’s direction and follow the chain of command in addressing issues.
• Ability to work with students one-on-one or a small group of students.
• Ability to demonstrate a positive, caring, firm, respectful approach to redirect a student’s inappropriate behavior.
• Ability to perform addition and subtraction.