Education:  CDA (Child Development Associate Credential) or an A.A. in ECE

Qualifications:  Paraprofessionals are required to have a High School diploma or equivalent with a minimum of a CDA (Child Development Associate Credential) or willing to obtain a CDA within 2 years of hire.  All Head Start employees must respect children and families. 

Reports To:  Classroom Teacher and Education Coordinator

Summary:  Assist in providing a high quality, individualized education for Head Start children in a center based environment.  Ensure that all children will develop skills in accordance with the Grand Forks Head Start School Readiness Plan. 

Responsibilities:           

1. Adhere to the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct with all Head Start children, families, colleagues, and the community.
2. Be familiar with and assist in implementation of the  Creative Curriculum, Al’s Pals and other enrichment curriculums.
3. Prepare the classroom environment by printing children’s names on: closet doors/hooks, cubbies, backpack book bags, sheets, & charts, name charts & cards, toothbrushes, & helping hands cards.
4. Prepare attendance sheets and volunteer in-kind sheets.
5. Assist in posting items (listed on the timeline) on classroom walls and maintain letter wall.
6. Assist the teacher in setting up learning centers.  All centers should be interactive, enhance the child’s learning, reflect various cultures, include literacy, and display innovative effort.
7. Assist the teacher in general maintenance of the classroom by sorting materials, keeping them organized and stored properly, and disinfecting toys and furniture on Fridays. Assist in returning and organizing items in the shared closets. 
8. Assist the teacher in obtaining needed resources and materials.  Take the responsibility to implement several new activities which are developmentally appropriate from various teacher resource books.
9. Add input to and assist teacher in completing, Child Profile/Outcomes, ASQ and Health Observation Checklists.
10. Develop and utilize with your teacher an ongoing system of observing children.   Assist teachers with entering observations into GOLD.
11. Assist the teacher in scheduling two Home/School conferences and May Home Visit by contacting parents via phone, email or reminder notes. 
12. Share concerns and pertinent information with coordinators and the teacher.
13. Be able to assume the teacher’s role as needed.
14. Provide emotional support in accordance to CLASS through: Fostering a Positive Classroom Climate, Teacher Sensitivity and Regard for Student Perspectives.
15. Foster classroom organization in accordance to CLASS through: Behavior Management, Productivity an Instructional Learning Formats.
16. Provide instructional support organization in accordance to CLASS through: Concept Development, Quality of Feedback and Language Modeling. 
17. Supervise children at all times.  This includes: classroom, field trips, gym, and the playground.
18. The paraprofessional is an integral part of the teaching team.  Actively assist the teacher in the day-to day classroom planning, preparation, and scheduled activities.
19. Attend teacher/paraprofessional meetings, staffing meetings, and MTSS meetings as needed.
20. Keep accurate records of attendance, USDA food records, and parent volunteer hours. Submit paperwork in a timely manner.
21. Follow-up on children’s absences by notifying appropriate staff personnel as stated in the Classroom Attendance Policy.
22. Update your personnel file.
23. Be a role model and assign meaningful tasks to parent and community volunteers.
24. Complete a detailed classroom and center inventory.  Turn in requests for classroom supplies for the following year.
25. At the end of the year, disinfect and put away toys and furniture.  Wash snowsuits, play clothes, paint shirts, etc.
26. Attend any necessary training in order to maintain a CDA credential or work toward an Associate of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education.
27. Continue to grow professionally through membership in professional organizations such as NAEYC, attending conferences and workshops, reading professional journals, and keeping skills in technology current, etc.
28. Complete training in CPR /Choking, First Aid, and classroom policies and procedures.
29. Other duties as assigned.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:  The Paraprofessional is required to attend all in-service and pre-service training sessions as required by Head Start.   Must be CPR and First Aid Certified and maintain this certification.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Must be able to stand, walk, sit on the floor with children, reach, handle materials, communicate both verbally and in written form, be able to hear, have adequate vision. Must be able to lift 50 pounds and carry, push and pull equipment and furniture.

BENEFITS:  Position qualifies for health insurance, sick, vacation, paid holidays, and other benefits.  Click Here to view the Classified Personnel Policy Manual.

Position open until filled.