Nature-based Early Childhood Teaching Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

FLSA Status : Non-Exempt

Reports to : Lower School Division Director and Auxiliary Programs Director

Salary : $23.00 per hour, plus full benefits

Anticipated start date : August 2026

Location : All positions are in person

Hours : Monday-Friday, 40 hours per week

Hours include workshop days but does not include all-school holidays/vacation breaks when the teaching faculty does not report with the exception of Mustang Vacation Program time.Teaching Assistants are expected to support Mustang Vacation Program for one week of winter and spring breaks for additional compensation.

Teaching Assistants are expected to participate in Lower School Back to School Night, Parent/Teacher Conferences, Baccalaureate, and Commencement.

Breck Overview

Breck School is a preschool through twelve, coeducational college preparatory, Episcopal day school located in Golden Valley, Minnesota, with a national reputation for excellence and achievement in academics, athletics, and the arts. Our School’s Episcopal roots are lived through an unwavering commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging where we respect the dignity of every human being. We prioritize lifelong learning and a commitment to the greater good.

We are a community of highly engaged and motivated students, faculty, staff, and school leaders focused on building trusting relationships and strong academic scholarship through a practice of bridging research to practice. Upon graduation, Breck students are prepared for a life of intellectual curiosity, self-knowledge, and social responsibility, matriculating to colleges and universities throughout the world.

Position Overview

The purpose of the Nature-based Early Childhood Teaching Assistant (TA) position is to provide an opportunity for those interested in nature-based early childhood education and teaching to expand their curriculum knowledge and instructional proficiencies. The Nature-based Early Childhood TA position is designed to give the assistant opportunities to work alongside an experienced outdoor educator. Breck School takes great pride in preparing and mentoring new teachers for the classroom experience.

The primary role of the Nature-based Teaching Assistant is to assist and support the lead teacher in developing and implementing the outdoor instructional program, support student learning, and contribute to a positive climate in the classroom and community.

At Breck, our Early Childhood program is deeply inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, placing a strong emphasis on the environment as the 'third teacher.' In this role, you will support daily outdoor learning experiences that honor student interests and observations. Our nature-based pedagogy is designed to spark inquiry, foster creativity, and cultivate a deep, lasting connection to the natural world.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Partner with the lead teacher to implement a nature-based curriculum that sparks student inquiry and honors their natural observations.
• Supervise students and manage resources in outdoor classrooms, ensuring a safe yet adventurous environment for experiential learning.
• Assist in capturing visible learning through photos, notes, and reflections to help document the students' journey with the natural world.
• Participate in the TA mentorship program to broaden curricular knowledge through reading/research, collegial conversation, and lesson implementation.
• Develop the skills necessary to step into a lead teaching role when needed, gaining experience in lesson implementation and classroom management. Show flexibility and willingness to support coverage needs throughout the Lower School.
• Respond to constructive feedback and engage in self-reflection to refine your instructional voice.
• Model respectful, enthusiastic behavior to build strong bonds with students, families, and colleagues.
• Develop a collaborative relationship with the early childhood team by demonstrating initiative, accepting responsibility, and maintaining honest, open communication.
• Support student learning by understanding developmental readiness, working effectively with small/large groups, and communicating clear and consistent expectations.
• Demonstrate positive interactions with students through modeling respectful behavior, creating meaningful connections to build relationships, displaying enthusiasm for learning, and communicating effectively with students.
• Be present and engaged in the learning experiences of the young child.
• Serve as a team member who supports collaboration, contributes ideas, demonstrates a willingness to learn, uses good judgment, maintains confidentiality, exhibits flexibility, and follows-through with responsibilities.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, Early Childhood and/or Environmental Education preferred
• Experience working with young children