Early Childhood DC - Assistant Teacher

New Yesterday

Job Description

Job Description

Summary

We are looking to hire a happy, loving, responsible Assistant Teacher to work with our Lead Teacher in a 3s classroom of 14 students.
School year - August 25, 2025 - May 29, 2026

Days - Monday - Wednesday

Hours - 8:30am-12:30pm (with children present 9am-12pm)

Option to work Lunch Bunch (12-1pm) and 2-week summer camp in June (both for additional compensation)

Requirements:
Must attend monthly staff meetings (1st Wed/mo, 12:30-1:45pm)
Must attend Parents' Night (Sep) PJ Night (Apr)

Description: The assistant teacher is responsible for assisting the lead teacher in the general supervision and management of the class and classroom. The assistant teacher is expected to substitute for the lead teacher in their absence.

Accountability: The assistant teacher is accountable to the lead teacher for the everyday workings of the classroom. Personal absences and sick leave must be approved by the director in consultation with the lead teacher.

Qualifications: The assistant teacher must meet the minimum qualifications of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers for assistant teachers. The assistant teacher must have a warm and friendly personality; display an enthusiasm for working with children; be sensitive to the feelings and needs of others; have the ability to take direction and act on instinct; and relate well, and have the ability to communicate effectively, with the children and staff. The assistant teacher will have knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices and how to implement them in the classroom.

Duties

Responsibilities (The assistant teacher will…):

  • Classroom/Program
a.Substitute for the lead teacher whenever needed
b.Supervise the children whenever the lead teacher is out of the classroom
c.Serve as a second set of eyes/ears in the classroom
d.Communicate directly with the lead teacher about observations, needs, problems, etc. If necessary, after consulting the lead teacher, address the
concerns to the director.
e.Per the lead teacher’s instructions, the assistant teacher may be asked to assist in the following:
i.Setting up the classroom
ii.Gathering materials
iii.Leading activities
iv.Snack preparation, distribution, and clean-up
v.Diapering/toileting the children
vi.Preparing the classroom for the weekend
vii.Keeping attendance records for the children
f.Use a variety of teaching strategies to assist the lead teacher in implementing activities that promote:
i.The needs of individual children with concerns for their interests, special needs and talents, and individual styles and paces of learning
ii.Language and literacy
iii.Number concepts
iv.Self-esteem
v.Social skills such as cooperation, helping, taking turns, and talking to express emotions and to solve social problems
vi.Cultural and gender diverse experiences, teaching the value of differences and cultural inclusiveness
vii.A wide variety of creativity and expressiveness
viii.A balance between quiet and active learning
g.Assist the lead teacher in setting clear, consistent, and fair limits for classroom behavior
h.Support the lead teacher in providing both child-initiated and teacher-initiated activities every day
i.Extend the range of children’s interests by exposing them to new experiences, ideas, or problems
j.Assist the lead teacher in establishing routines with smooth transition periods
k.Maintain a safe, healthy, stimulating, and orderly environment
l.Maintain awareness of the activities of the entire group even when working with smaller groups
m.Follow the preschool’s Snack Policy, promoting healthy eating practices
n.Coordinate and help volunteers working in the classroom
o.Demonstrate familiarity with emergency procedures
p.Follow all cleaning protocols

  • Students
a.Assess children’s needs and developmental progress on an on-going basis, and use the results of these assessments to assist the lead teacher
in planning and implementing activities for individual children, and the class as a whole
b.Treat all children with equal respect and consideration and will not use any form of corporal punishment, humiliation, or frightening discipline
techniques
c.Help children deal with anger, sadness, and frustration by comforting, identifying and respecting feelings: guiding the children toward learning
appropriate verbal skills to resolve conflicts
d.Express respect and affection towards children by smiling, holding, speaking and listening to them at their eye level throughout the day
e.Encourage children to be independent and to develop responsibility, self-regulation, and self-control, as age-appropriate
f.Communicate with children at their developmental level in a friendly, positive, courteous manner; encouraging them to share experiences, ideas,
and feelings
g.Interact with the children and encourage them to participate in the activities during the day, helping each child become aware of their role as an
integral member of the group
h.Ensure children are supervised at all times
i.Integrate special needs children in a positive and respectful manner

  • Parents
a.Have the skills necessary to positively communicate with parents, but will enforce the school’s Confidentiality Policy and will refer parents to the
lead teacher for matters beyond the general physical care of the children

  • School
a.Promote the preschool’s philosophy, goals, and Professional Expectations Policy
b.Use appropriate and professional behavior toward a child, a parent, or a member of the staff
c.Maintain confidentiality regarding staff members, parents, and children
d.Support the professional growth and development of colleagues by sharing ideas, materials, and information, and by providing helpful feedback
and encouragement
e.In coordination with other staff members, set-up playground or activity room at the beginning of the day and tidy up the area before the next class
uses it. At the end of the day, clean up the area, cleaning and returning all items to their locations per preschool cleaning policies and schedules.
f.Assume an equal share of the joint school “housekeeping” responsibilities by “pitching in” whenever necessary, informing the office administrator,
Curriculum Coordinator, or director when supplies are low or in need of repair
  • g.Suggest updates to the Job Description as needed


Requirements

  • Personal Obligations
a.Complete required start-up paperwork upon hire
b.Complete all required background checks every five years
c.Have a TB test every two years
d.Maintain certification in:
Annually:Child Abuse Neglect Recognition Training
VA Health and Safety Update Training
Every 2 yrs: CPR/AED/First Aid Training
Every 3 yrs: Daily Health Observation Training
MAT Training
e.Participate in staff development per year as required by the Commonwealth of Virginia
f.Participate in an annual performance evaluation
g.Arrive at and depart from school according to the time set in the contract
h.Attend all staff meetings, workshops, and in-service training provided by the preschool
i.Attend all workdays during the staff work week before school starts
j.Attend all workdays at the end of the school year (if applicable)
k.Attend Back-to-School Night and Family PJ Night
  • l.Complete summer preparation responsibilities and turn in all end-of-the-year paperwork


Nice To Haves

Previous work with preschoolers

A friendly, vibrant personality

Benefits

It's a great part-time job for students or parents!

Wonderful staff members - we are a School Family!
Location:
Alexandria
Job Type:
PartTime
Category:
Education