Aide - Preschool

The Archdiocese of St. Louis Catholic Education and Formation features an expansive coalition of schools that allow our children to develop a sense of purpose and value, receive a higher quality education, join a welcoming community and feel secure in a a dynamic future. We have a rich history, with its establishment 200 years ago by St. Rose Phillppine Duchesne. A coalition of schools serving over 50,000 students (PreK-12) within an 11-county area. The educational experience provided to our students and their families is rooted in a higher calling from God to honor and celebrate the gifts He has given us.

Job Summary

Teacher aides play a crucial role in supporting the classroom teacher by contributing to a stimulating, safe, and engaging educational environment that fosters the growth and development of cognitive, language, social-emotional, adaptive, and physical skills. The assistant helps promote a positive learning environment, supports classroom routines, and interacts with children in a warm and calm manner, following the guidance of the lead teacher.

Job Responsibilities

• Curriculum Support: Demonstrate familiarity with the curriculum, methods, procedures, schedules, and resources used by the lead teacher. Follow teacher cues and adapt to various teaching styles and classroom routines. In the absence of a lead teacher, aides will assume responsibility for classroom management and implementation of lesson plans.
• Child Centered Learning: Support activities and opportunities that encourage curiosity, exploration, and problem-solving tailored to the developmental levels and learning styles of children.
• Classroom Supervision: Assist in maintaining a safe, clean, and stimulating environment. Supervise children in the classroom and provide a supportive environment for appropriate individual and group discipline.
• Classroom Support: Support the teacher with preparing, organizing, and maintaining classroom areas, materials, and equipment, including cleaning, food preparation, copying, filing papers, and setting up bulletin boards or displays.
• Positive Child Interactions: Interacts with children in a warm, calm, and unhurried manner to support their emotional and developmental needs. Communicate with children in an effective and age-appropriate manner, including using an appropriate tone of voice.
• Parental & Peer Communication: Interact with parents with respect, maintain open communication, and encourage their involvement to support their child's development. Collaborate effectively with co-workers, communicate respectfully with others, and address conflicts maturely.
• Confidentiality & Reporting: Uphold confidentiality in all interactions with children, parents, and co-workers. Provide the teacher with pertinent information about students, while refraining from interrupting classroom activities to discuss students in detail during instruction time.
• Health & Safety: Maintain a safe and clean environment, both indoors and outdoors, ensuring that the children's physical, emotions, and social well-being is always prioritized. Ensure that the general health, nutrition, and safety of the children are maintained by keeping certifications up-to-date (CPR, First Aid) and following health guidelines.
• Christian Witness: Consistently use words and actions that clearly give witness to Gospel values and demonstrate living out the teachings of Jesus Christ. Give witness to Catholic values and adhere to the teachings of the Catholic Church through practices in life and work. Provide daily interactions and classroom practices to develop a faith-filled environment that nurtures the spiritual growth of children.
• Miscellaneous Duties: Perform additional duties as assigned by the teacher and Early Learning Center Director.

Job Requirements

• Minimum of Associate's degree, or relevant experience in Early Childhood Education, CDA, or working towards college-level hours.
• General knowledge of the Catholic Church, Catholic sacraments, rites, and liturgies.
• Ability to use school information systems effectively.
• Obtain and maintain current adult, child, and infant CPR and First Aid Certification.
• Good physical health, confirmed by a physician's statement, with up-to-date immunizations.
• Completion of the Archdiocese Safe Environment Program.

Skills & Attitudes Required for Success in Job

• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to follow directions and work collaboratively with administration and teaching staff.
• Patience, empathy, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Relationships Requirements

• Ability to work effectively in supporting the lead teacher and administration.
• Ability to engage and work collaboratively with the pastor, parish office staff, school personnel, students, parents, and volunteers.

The Archdiocese of St. Louis Catholic Education and Formation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital, parental, veteran or disability status.