Teacher Assistant - Head Start Program
Help Shape Young Minds Every Day
Do you have a passion for working with young children and helping them build a strong foundation for lifelong learning? Join our Head Start team as a Teacher Assistant and play an important role in creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging classroom where children can learn, grow, and thrive. This position supports children's social, emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development through meaningful interactions, individualized learning experiences, and strong family partnerships.
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To view the full job description, please click the link or copy and paste this web address into your browser:
https://www.stepcorp.org/file_download/98bc454e-b254-4485-af43-6fc3daf74111
PAY RATE: $18.09 per hour
Full-time, school-year calendar -- 8 hours x 190 days (summers off!)
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What You'll Do
As a Teacher Assistant, you will partner with the classroom teacher to:
- Create a welcoming, safe, and stimulating learning environment
- Build positive relationships with children and support their social-emotional growth
- Assist with engaging, developmentally appropriate learning activities
- Encourage independence, self-help skills, and positive behavior
- Support children's health, nutrition, and daily care routines
- Collaborate with families to foster children's success at home and school
- Maintain a classroom that is organized, clean, and responsive to children's needs
- Observe, document, and support each child's individual development
- Help ensure compliance with Head Start standards and child safety requirements
- Step into leadership responsibilities when the teacher is unavailable
What We're Looking For
We're seeking someone who:
- Loves working with young children and believes every child can succeed
- Builds trusting, respectful relationships with families and colleagues
- Is patient, flexible, creative, and team-oriented
- Demonstrates strong communication and organizational skills
- Values diversity and enjoys working with children and families from varied backgrounds
- Is committed to ongoing professional growth and learning
About STEP, Inc.:
Lycoming-Clinton Counties Commission for Community Action (STEP), Inc. has been serving the community for 60 years! As part of the Community Action Network, STEP has a long history of providing programs to support needs identified through its Community Assessment. Being a part of STEP, makes you part of something much bigger - people helping people and building stronger communities!
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED certificate and willingness to obtain Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) in the Center-based Setting within two (2) years of hire; associate degree preferred;
- Minimum of one year of experience working with young children
*Bilingual English–Spanish desirable.
Benefits
STEP, Inc. offers a generous benefits package:
✔ Flexible health insurance options to fit YOUR needs
✔ Agency-paid dental, vision, and life insurance
✔ 403(b) retirement savings with generous employer match
✔ Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DCA) options
✔ Short- and long-term disability insurance
✔ Paid Time Off (PTO) and Long-Term Sick Leave
✔ Optional flexible benefits