Assistant Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

Job Description 

Position: Assistant Teacher 

Reports to: Lead Teacher and Kat Murphy-Woo, Assistant Director 

Overview 

The Rise School of Denver is an inclusive, non-profit early care and education center that supports young children with and without developmental delays and disabilities and their families. We are looking for a full-time Assistant Teacher to join our passionate, expert team beginning October 5, 2026. Ideal candidates for this position include early career teachers, child care providers, early childhood special education students, registered behavior technicians (RBTs), therapist assistants (e.g., SLPA), and other individuals who are passionate about joining a mission-driven, high-quality program. 

The Assistant Teacher helps to provide a stimulating, safe, and developmentally appropriate educational environment where children with and without disabilities have the opportunity to develop cognitive, social, language, emotional, adaptive, and physical skills. Assistant Teachers help to lead a classroom team that includes a Lead Teacher, assistant teacher, and members of the therapy team, with three adults present in the room and no more than 11 students present each day. Assistant Teachers are also part of a larger transdisciplinary team that includes therapists, children’s families, and members of Rise’s leadership team. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

• Aligns with the Rise School philosophy that all children have the ability to learn when given appropriate encouragement and with evidence-based support. 
• Adheres to the Rise School mission of preparing children to be included in Kindergarten classrooms, providing differential instruction based on individual children’s needs, and integrating individual intervention plans into lesson plans and daily classroom routines. 
• Supports the lead teacher with ongoing screening and curriculum based assessment of all children in the classroom. Teams with therapists to administer standardized assessments as needed. 
• Supports the lead teacher in weekly lesson planning and preparation as well as classroom set-up. 
• Supports the lead teacher in utilizing best practices for implementing Universal Design for Learning, multi-tiered systems of support, and a linked system framework (i.e., screening, assessment, goal development, intervention, progress monitoring) for supporting all young

children in the classroom with the level of support they need to successfully and meaningfully engage.

• Participates in regular collaborative meetings with Rise School therapists. Maintains constructive working relationships with therapists and takes initiative to implement techniques and strategies as recommended; requesting more support and coaching if needed. 
• Participates in practice-based coaching.
• Implements family-centered partnership strategies and practices, while creating and maintaining professional relationships to assist with family engagement in the Rise School program.
• Actively participates in the After School Program, at least two days/week, and helps in preparation of activities as needed. 
• Participates in strengths-based, Family–Teacher Conferences twice a year, at which time individualized goals for children with disabilities are reviewed and/or developed as well as check-ins with families of children without delays or disabilities. 
• Creates equitable learning opportunities for all young children in the classroom by affirming the race, class, culture, gender, sexual orientation, ability and disability, language, national origin, indigenous heritage, religion, and other identities of all young children and families and by using practices that are developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate for the learning environment and for each child and family. 
• Actively engages with children in the outdoor learning environment. 
• Maintains professional, open and direct communication with administration and leadership team. 
• Maintains professional interactions and open communication with families, caregivers, therapists, outside providers, volunteers, and other critical members of the Rise School community. 
• Ensures the confidentiality of all children and families within and away from the school.
• Helps to maintain a safe, appropriate environment for all children and staff. This includes ensuring that all Colorado Shines and Childcare Licensing guidelines for safety and cleanliness are adhered to. 
• Maintains current CPR, First Aid, Universal Precautions, and Medication Administration certifications. 
• Helps to ensure that all children’s daily care needs including diapering, feeding, medication administration, etc. are met. 
• Helps to prepare classroom activities for the day prior to the arrival of children.
• Monitors classroom supplies and materials and submits orders as needed. 
• Participates in all staff meetings and in-service activities. 
• Participates in school wide fundraising and development activities such as setting up/cleaning up events, attending fundraisers and school events outside of school hours. 
• Maintains a professional appearance including appropriate dress and grooming.
• Demonstrates teamwork and cooperation. Takes initiative. Stays open and enthusiastic to change. 
• Participates in other duties as requested.

Qualifications 

Knowledge 

Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for working with young children. Experience working with young children with and without developmental delays and/or disabilities is highly preferred. 

Education and Experience 

• High School or GED completion required. 
• Experience working in ECE/ECSE is preferred 
• Experience working with young children with and without developmental delays and/or disabilities is highly preferred 

Skills 

• Physical Skills 
• • Move around and remain upright for long periods of time 
  • Play with children at their level (e.g., on ground, at table, in/around sandbox) ○ Pick up and carry children (weighing 20 to 50 pounds) when needed 
  • Crouching/leaning over to clean tables and toys and to change children’s diapers ○ Retrieve supplies 
  • During nap time, move child (e.g., lift, push/pull nap mat), pat children’s backs while they lie on floor on nap mat, and help them fall asleep 
  • Respond to unsafe situations very quickly 
  • Should COVID recommendations reinstate, the ability to wear a face mask and, when necessary, other personal protective equipment for the entire day 
• Other Necessary Skills 
• • Open to receiving and responsive to coaching and feedback 
  • Passionate about young children and inclusion for young children with developmental delays and disabilities 
  • Patient 
  • Creative, playful, and fun 
  • Outgoing, high-energy 
  • Enjoy collaborating with a team 
  • Thrive in high-stress, fast-paced environments 
  • May be exposed to all types of weather conditions safe for children to play in

Compensation 

$19.29 - $21.00/hour depending on education and experience. Hourly employees are paid August through June. Participation in our 2 week, half day summer camp program during July guarantees compensation through the month of July. 

Benefits: The Rise School of Denver provides a benefits package that includes, for example: Insured group health and dental plans, retirement, and a generous mix of vacation, sick and holiday paid days off. 

To Apply 

Please email cover letter and resume (with reference contact information) to Megan Gallagher and Kat Murphy-Woo. Contact information can be found on our website: Meet Our Team — The Rise School of Denver.

The Rise School of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, and disability status. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind and do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

\nCompany Description

The Rise School of Denver provides high quality, inclusive early childhood care, education, and therapy for all children, including children with developmental disabilities. We do this by providing exemplary school- and clinic-based services using recommended practices for children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families.

Company Description

The Rise School of Denver provides high quality, inclusive early childhood care, education, and therapy for all children, including children with developmental disabilities. We do this by providing exemplary school- and clinic-based services using recommended practices for children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families.