Assistant Teacher

Description

Job Title: Assistant Teacher 

Department: Focus: HOPE Early Learning

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

General Summary:

The Assistant Teacher supports the Lead Teacher in providing a high-quality, safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate early childhood education environment. This role actively participates in classroom management, curriculum delivery, child observation, family engagement, and adherence to all state licensing, Head Start/Early Head Start, and program standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Classroom & Instructional Support: Assist the Lead Teacher in planning and facilitating developmentally appropriate activities and lesson plans aligned with curriculum guidelines; support small-group activities and individual learning needs.
• Supervision & Safety: Maintain active, line-of-sight supervision and required staff-to-child ratios at all times (indoors and outdoors); enforce strict health, hygiene, sanitation, and safety protocols.
• Daily Routines & Caregiving: Assist with daily classroom routines, including arrivals, departures, meal and snack times, diapering/toileting, transitions, and rest periods.
• Observation & Documentation: Observe and record child progress, behaviors, and developmental milestones; provide timely input to the Lead Teacher to inform assessment and parent conferences.
• Family Engagement & Culture: Build positive, culturally responsive relationships with families, maintaining effective communication and strict confidentiality under FERPA/HIPAA guidelines.
• Classroom Operations: Prepare learning materials, maintain organized learning centers, and participate in classroom setup, sanitation, and breakdown daily.
• Program Compliance: Adhere to all organizational policies, state child care licensing rules, Head Start Performance Standards (if applicable), and mandated child abuse/neglect reporting laws.
• Professional Development: Attend required staff meetings, professional development sessions, and coaching cycles to continuously improve practice.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Required Qualifications, Education & Credentials:

• Education: High School Diploma or GED equivalent required.

Credentials: Child Development Associate (CDA) credential in Infant/Toddler or Preschool (or actively enrolled with completion within the program-mandated timeframe) preferred. Relevant college coursework in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field strongly preferred.

• Experience: Minimum of 1 year of experience working with young children in a licensed child care or group early learning setting preferred.
• Mandatory Clearances & Certifications (Condition of Employment):
• State Child Care Licensing Comprehensive Criminal Background Check and Fingerprinting clearance.
• State Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry clearance.
• Valid TB clearance and pre-employment physical verification.
• Current Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification (or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire).

Physical Demands & Working Conditions:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, crouching, and sitting on the floor at children's eye level.
• Ability to quickly respond to emergencies and maintain continuous visual and auditory supervision of children.
• Occasional lifting, carrying, and holding children or classroom equipment weighing up to 40–50 pounds.
• Ability to work comfortably across indoor classrooms and outdoor play areas in varying seasonal weather conditions.
• Strong commitment to civil and human rights.

Program & Community Engagement:

• Special Events: All staff participate in core organizational and community recruitment events (e.g. Spring Bling, Family Fun Day). As a Non-Exempt role, all hours worked during weekend or special events are fully paid in accordance with FLSA and organizational overtime policies.

Program Support & Non-Federal Share (In-Kind): Staff assist the program in meeting federal matching goals by actively encouraging parent and community volunteerism. Staff support documentation of verified volunteer hours and donated community resources in alignment with program fiscal policies.

What can we offer you for all your hard work?

Benefits: 

Paid Vacation Time 

Paid Sick Time 

13 Paid Holidays Per Year 

401K Match 

Medical 

Dental 

Vision 

Life and AD&D (Employer Paid) 

Voluntary Life and AD &D 

AFLAC (Voluntary) 

Short Term Disability (Voluntary) 

Long Term Disability (Employer Paid) 

EAP (Employee Assistance Program) 

FSA Plan (Flex Spending Account) 

Paid Parental Leave (Up to 4 Weeks)