Assistant Teacher/Para-Professional

Any individual who receives an offer of employment or will receive a payroll check are required to submit to a drug and alcohol test as a condition of obtaining employment.
Mille Lacs Band Member/American Indian preference applies

SUMMARY:
The Assistant Teacher/Para is to provide a successful safe and supervised educational setting for children, while they are in the Head Start/Child care environment (classroom, outdoor play area and field trips). As well as promote the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of Head Start children. Encourage parent involvement in all aspects of the program. The development of individual goals for children, provide ongoing assessment on progress and facilitate transition to the next level of education. This is accomplished through individualized plans for each child and family, including Ojibwe Language and Culture components.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Minimum High school Diploma, AA preferred
• Current CDA or within 1 year and willingness to work on AA degree, in Early Childhood.
• Experience working with children who have special needs preferred
• Loves children can wholeheartedly engage in working with and for them.
• CPR and first aid certified or (within 30days).
• Current mantoux (yearly) and physical every two years.
• Continued compliance of the Mille Lacs Band drug and alcohol policy.
• Employment is conditional upon pre-hire and continued compliance of the background check policy.
• Mandated reporter: monitor and report suspected child abuse and neglect.
• All communications are potentially sensitive and are subject to Head Start confidentiality policy.
• Projects and maintains an image of service and professionalism with a positive attitude and interacts easily as an integral part of the faculty and staff.
• Understanding of the relationship of the Early Education Program to the Mille Lacs Band Community also values and supports the mission of both.
• Sustained concentration and ability to handle multiple tasks often simultaneously.
• Employees of the Mille Lacs Early Education Program are excluded from MLEE governing boards or committees.
• Head Start / Early Head Start experience.
• Head Start / Early Head Start Parent.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Supervise and monitor children at all times.
• Participate in regularly scheduled team meetings to plan for and deliver collaborative services across all components.
• Respond appropriately to crisis or emergency situations that may occur.
• Adapt curriculum to address and meet individual goals for children as identified in their individualized education plans.
• Assess individual and group needs attending to the special-needs, specific interests, strengths and concerns.
• Daily kneeling, stooping, bending and sitting on the floor, and occasional heavy lifting to attend
• Children’s needs. Including the physical ability to respond to children who are active; ensuring their safety or the safety of others in the environment.
• Provide an atmosphere that promotes and reinforces parental involvement in the classroom.
• Follow a consistent schedule, which includes small and large group exercises, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, skill development, meals and effective transitions between activities.
• Encourage experimentation, exploration, problem-solving, cooperation, socialization and choice making; ask open-ended questions and listen respectfully to the answers.
• Complete weekly goals/lesson plans that promote individual and group Head Start components.
• Complete any specialized documentation required by due process according to IDEA law.

Individualization
• Provides input to the general and individualized daily lesson plans to meet the needs of children, including but not limited to goals set forth on IEP/IFSP documents.
• Assists and implements general and individualized daily lesson plans.
• Adapt curriculum to address and meet individual goals for children as identified in their individualized Education plans.
• Assess individual and group needs attending to the special-needs, specific interests, strengths and concerns.

Parent Involvement and Community Partnerships
• Provide an atmosphere that promotes and reinforces parental involvement in the classroom.
• Communicate regularly with parents regarding each child's progress.

Documentation and Record-keeping
• Maintains program documentation and reporting requirements of program grants.
• Document baselines ongoing assessments and individual progress in child portfolios.
• Document all significant classroom issues parent contacts and home visits.
• Accurately document classroom attendance during mealtimes daily.
• Documents daily health and classroom observations, used to make modifications in individualized plans.
• Document health status and any other safety information such as incident and accident reports

Additional Responsibilities
• Assist with breaks, bus monitoring, and other classroom needs as requested.
• Attend meetings, trainings and other appropriate professional development activities.
• Assure general maintenance and security of facility and assist with inventory of equipment and supplies.
• Assure daily, weekly and monthly cleaning and sanitizing requirements are met.
• Rides the bus, monitors the children, and interacts with parents at drop off and pick up times.
• Assists in setting up, sanitize and cleaning, laundry, daily preparation, and general classroom maintenance.
• Assist teacher in maintaining accurate records, including: assessments, IEP and IFSP documentation, screening, anecdotal observations, and other required forms.
• Attends training and staff meetings as required.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
• Typical hours may be 8:00 – 5:30 Monday - Friday.
• Moderate stress
• Work is both in and out doors
• Risk or personal danger exposure is moderate.
• Local travel is required
• Travel outside the state is required if necessary.