Jobs in Bowling Green, MO

About the role

Help Children Learn, Grow, and Thrive in a Safe and Supportive Environment      Do you have a passion for early childhood education and a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young children? Are you looking for a rewarding role where you can support learning, encourage growth, and help build strong foundations for lifelong success?      Join our Head Start team and become part of a caring, collaborative classroom environment dedicated to supporting every child’s physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development. As a Teacher Assistant, you will work alongside Co-Teachers to create safe, nurturing, and engaging learning experiences that help children reach their full potential. Why You'll Love Working Here • Competitive Pay (Level 18) • Starting at $15.10/hour • Outstanding Work-Life Balance • Full-time schedule: 40 hours per week, 49 weeks per year • No evenings or weekends required • Paid holidays and breaks • Supportive, team-based environment • Exceptional Benefits • Health, dental, and vision insurance • FREE life insurance • 401(k) retirement plan with employer contributions • Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) • 14 paid holidays annually • Paid inclement weather days • Tuition assistance and professional development opportunities • Career growth within Early Childhood Education What You'll Do In this role, you’ll support the classroom team by: • Helping establish a safe, healthy, and nurturing learning environment that encourages exploration and growth • Assisting Co-Teachers with lesson planning, classroom strategies, documentation, and developmentally appropriate activities • Supporting children’s physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development through positive interaction and guidance • Promoting curriculum goals, including educational, social, and emotional learning objectives • Incorporating nutrition, health, and self-care practices into daily classroom routines • Building positive relationships with children and families to encourage engagement in learning • Preparing classroom materials and ensuring readiness for daily activities under the direction of Co-Teachers • Maintaining ongoing communication with staff, supervisors, parents, and service providers • Maintaining confidentiality in all matters related to children, families, and staff • Participating in ongoing professional development, including trainings, workshops, conferences, and coursework • Reporting suspected child abuse or neglect in accordance with mandated reporter requirements and program procedures • Supporting additional duties as assigned by the Supervisor What We're Looking For • High school diploma or GED required • Ability to enroll in and complete a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential program within 18 months of hire • Strong verbal and written communication skills • Enjoyment and comfort working with young children • Ability to maintain confidentiality and uphold professional standards • CPR and First Aid certification required or ability to obtain and maintain certification • Ability to take initiative, exercise independent judgment, and work effectively as part of a team • Strong interpersonal skills and commitment to teamwork • Willingness to support program operations, including classroom and center-wide needs The above description is not a comprehensive listing of all job-specific responsibilities, tasks, and duties. Douglass Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and Drug-Free Workplace.

What you'll bring

• High school diploma or GED required
• Ability to enroll in and complete a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential program within 18 months of hire
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Enjoyment and comfort working with young children
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and uphold professional standards
• CPR and First Aid certification required or ability to obtain and maintain certification
• Ability to take initiative, exercise independent judgment, and work effectively as part of a team
• Strong interpersonal skills and commitment to teamwork
• Willingness to support program operations, including classroom and center-wide needs
• The above description is not a comprehensive listing of all job-specific responsibilities, tasks, and duties.

Benefits