Assistant Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

About This Role

We are looking for a caring, dependable, and enthusiastic  Assistant Preschool Teacher who is passionate about working with young children. The Assistant Preschool Teacher will work closely with the Preschool Teacher and Director to create a safe, nurturing, and engaging classroom environment while supporting children's social, emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development.

Responsibilities include assisting with age-appropriate activities, supporting the daily classroom routine, actively supervising children, maintaining an organized classroom, communicating professionally with families and staff, and working collaboratively with the teaching team. The ideal candidate is patient, creative, responsible, dependable, and committed to providing high-quality early childhood education.

The  Assistant Preschool Teacher is responsible for supporting the Preschool Teacher with the day-to-day operations of the preschool classroom, including curriculum implementation, classroom management, student supervision, classroom organization, daily routines, and children's learning and development.

The Assistant Preschool Teacher is expected to actively support the overall mission, values, and growth of the school and work cooperatively with the Preschool Teacher and Director.

This position requires  consistency, initiative, reliability, professionalism, teamwork, and the ability to follow the Preschool Teacher's and Director's expectations regarding curriculum, supervision, student engagement, classroom organization, and daily school operations.

• Assist the Preschool Teacher with planning and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum aligned with the  CT Early Learning and Development Standards (CT ELDS) , with Director support and approval.
• Provide active supervision and help ensure the safety and well-being of all children.
• Assist with and participate in engaging activities that support children's social-emotional, physical, cognitive, language, literacy, math, science, and creative development.
• Help maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming classroom and shared spaces.
• Support positive behavior through age-appropriate guidance and redirection.
• Assist with maintaining a consistent daily classroom routine.
• Communicate professionally with families and staff while maintaining confidentiality.
• Assist with required classroom documentation and records.
• Follow school policies, licensing requirements, and the expectations of the Preschool Teacher and Director.
• Participate actively in meals, transitions, outdoor play, guest lessons, bathroom routines, and daily classroom activities.
• Assist with classroom preparation, organization, cleaning, and end-of-day responsibilities.
• Work collaboratively with the Preschool Teacher and other staff members.
• Demonstrate reliability, professionalism, initiative, and accountability.
• Be willing to take direction and assist wherever needed to support the classroom and children.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience Required:

• Prior experience working with children preferred.
• Prior experience working with  preschool-aged children, toddlers, and/or infants preferred.
• Current  First Aid and CPR certification , along with  Medication Administration and EpiPen training , or willingness to complete required training upon hire.
• Must successfully complete a  full background check and required  health screening .
• Ability to provide a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment for young children.
• Strong communication, professionalism, reliability, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to actively supervise children and respond appropriately to their needs.
• Ability to follow school policies and procedures and carry out classroom responsibilities as directed.
• Willingness to follow curriculum expectations, licensing requirements, and direction from the Preschool Teacher and Program Director.
• Ability to work cooperatively as part of a teaching team.
• Dependable attendance and punctuality are essential.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to actively participate in the daily activities of young children, including walking, standing, sitting on the floor, and engaging in indoor and outdoor play.
• Ability to frequently  bend, kneel, squat, crawl, and lift or assist children as needed .
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with children, families, and staff, and to hear voices and sounds at various levels.
• Ability to safely supervise children and respond quickly to their needs, including during transitions, meals, bathroom routines, and outdoor activities.
• Ability to see clearly at close and extended distances, distinguish colors, and use  peripheral vision and depth perception for effective supervision and safety.
• Ability to maintain the physical stamina necessary to remain actively engaged with children throughout the workday.

Be part of a  mission-driven, supportive team of early childhood educators .

Work in the beautiful  Village of Essex .

Opportunity for  discounted childcare and preschool education for your child .

This is a  year-round position with three distinct vacation periods when school is closed:

• Two weeks in December/January
• One week in April
• Two weeks at the end of August

Vacation periods are  unpaid during the first year .

Each successive year of employment, teachers earn  one paid week of vacation .

Earn 5 PTO days after 6 months of successful employment.

Earn 10 PTO days after 18 months of successful employment.

Opportunity for additional hours.