Title: Preschool Assistant Teacher

Department/Location: Early Childhood, St. Louis, MO

Position Type: Full-time, school-year position

Organizational Relationship: Reports to Early Childhood Principal

Summary

Principia is looking for a Preschool Assistant Teacher. In this role, you will work collaboratively with the lead teacher to establish an inclusive learning environment where students are empowered and encouraged to be active and curious learners, researchers, and global thinkers.

Who We Are

At our award-winning pre-K–12 school in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of Alumni & Friends.

At Principia School, our core value is LOVE. Love and its attributes underpin our foundational beliefs as well as our educational approach. We focus on developing the whole child—intellectually, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually, preparing students for the next steps in life. We foster a challenging yet supportive environment where character unfolds naturally, and talent is cultivated through boundless opportunities. Character education plays an essential role in every aspect of the student experience, and classroom work is augmented by character trips, leadership development, and real-world, hands-on, project-based learning.

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued.

Primary Responsibilities

• Displays a strong interest and love for working with young children and their parents.
• Assists teacher in providing a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach to learning classroom environment.
• Helps develop creative hands-on learning experiences that are engaging, varied, and support the wide range of interests and needs of students in a multi-age learning environment.
• Sets up invitations and provocations in the classroom.
• Helps effectively integrate 21st-century skills into the classroom helping students to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills.
• Relates well with children and adults and gains their confidence and respect.
• Provides a welcoming and encouraging atmosphere.
• Models the character skills taught to the children.
• Expresses patience, creativity, joy, and a sense of humor.
• Assists teacher with documentation, covers the classroom as acting lead teacher up to 6 full days throughout the school year.
• Handles discipline situations in an effective manner that supports character growth.
• Pursues professional development and applies best educational practices in the classroom; becomes part of a professional learning community where teachers are continually improving teaching and learning.
• Collaborates effectively with colleagues and administrators.
• Actively participates in various committee meetings, faculty and parent meetings, and professional development.
• Participates in and contributes to weekly and yearly professional development sessions.
• Comfortable with technology.
• Acquainted with and follows the general care and physical requirements as outlined by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Core Competencies

• Positivity: Optimistic, positive, and focused on elevating and bringing out the very best in themselves and others. Faculty and staff are invited to understand teammates’ strengths and how they can complement each other.
• Team players: Ability to collaborate and partner with peers and senior leaders is critical, with an ability to listen, give and receive feedback, and be comfortable exchanging ideas and speaking candidly in a professional and collegial manner
• Strategic thinkers: Ability to consider complex topics from multiple perspectives and offer innovative solutions.
• Innovative: Presents a problem-solving mindset that helps our team come up with creative solutions to challenging issues, with a mentality of self-improvement and organizational excellence; meets challenges with resourcefulness; generates suggestions for improving work; develops innovative approaches and ideas
• Ethical: Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity; upholds organizational values

Minimum Qualifications:

• Student of Christian Science; if not, then values-aligned
• Supportive of Principia’s mission, vision, and values as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/mission
• Bachelor’s degree in early education preferred.

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia.

Equal Opportunity

Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status.

In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia—as an institution with a religious mission—gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.