What are the responsibilities and job description for the Early Childhood Assistant Teacher position at Principia The?
Title: Part-Time Early Childhood Assistant Teacher
Department/Location: Early Childhood, St. Louis
Position Type: 30 hours from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (39-week; benefits eligible)
Summary
The Early Childhood Assistant Teacher supports a nurturing, inclusive environment for infants through preschool-age children. This role works closely with the lead teacher to implement engaging, Reggio Emilia-inspired learning experiences that encourage curiosity, exploration, and early development. Warmth, teamwork, attentiveness, and understanding of early childhood development are key to success in this position. Reporting to the Early Childhood Principal, the assistant teacher plays a critical role in supporting the daily rhythms of the classroom and fostering each child’s growth. Assistant teachers collaborate with the lead teacher and fellow Early Childhood educators to create a joyful and responsive learning space.
Who We Are
Teachers at Principia School serve as transformational educators who bring subject-matter expertise—such as early childhood development—to life through engaging instruction, character development, and joyful learning experiences. They design and deliver lessons that foster curiosity, critical thinking, and spiritual growth while maintaining a supportive and inclusive classroom environment rooted in Christian Science values. Teachers instruct students from birth to 5, communicate regularly with parents and colleagues to support student progress, and participate in ongoing professional growth, curriculum development, and community life. They contribute to a vibrant school culture through activities such as advisory programs, chapel, field trips, and extracurricular leadership.
Within our close-knit, mission-driven learning community, Principia School teachers nurture students’ limitless potential—academically, morally, and spiritually—modeling love, integrity, and lifelong learning in all they do.
Primary Responsibilities
- Displays a strong interest and love for working with young children and their parents
- Nurturing, intuitive, and responsive to the various developmental needs of children
- Provides a welcoming, encouraging, and joyful atmosphere for children and families
- Expresses patience, creativity, joy, and a sense of humor
- Relates well with children and adults, gaining their confidence and respect
- Models the character values taught to children
- Responds to changing conditions and directions with spiritual light-heartedness and flexibility
- Supports a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach to learning
- Works effectively and collaboratively with the lead teacher to address the needs of children
- Supports all aspects of program preparation, implementation, and completion
- Helps maintain a clean, safe, and organized classroom environment
- Maintains attentive, respectful care during all routines, including diapering and toileting, while promoting dignity, comfort, and emerging independence
- Handles discipline situations in a positive, constructive manner that supports character growth
- Able to meet the physical demands of the position, including lifting, bending, and floor play
- Collaborates effectively with colleagues and administrators
- Participates in committee meetings, faculty and parent meetings, and professional development opportunities when classroom coverage is available
- Pursues ongoing professional growth and applies best practices in early childhood education
- Uses technology comfortably to record daily routines and support classroom communication
- Understands and follows the general care and physical requirements as outlined by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Core Competencies-
Principia values the unique strengths each employee brings to their role. The following competencies are especially important for success at Principia: 0
- Continuous Learning & Expertise: Demonstrates mastery in your area of responsibility and seeks opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Accountability & Results Orientation: Manages time and priorities effectively, meets commitments, and consistently delivers high-quality outcomes.
- Problem Solving & Judgment: Approaches challenges thoughtfully, considers multiple perspectives, and makes sound, timely decisions that support institutional goals.
- Proactivity & Ownership: Takes initiative, anticipates needs, and drives projects forward with minimal supervision while taking responsibility for outcomes.
- Excellence & Attention to Detail: Produces accurate, polished, and high-quality work; continuously looks for ways to improve systems, processes, and results.
- Service Orientation: Builds positive, supportive relationships and responds promptly and professionally to the needs of students, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
- Collaboration & Collegiality: Works cooperatively across departments and teams; values input from others and contributes to a positive, respectful environment.
- Communication: Shares information clearly and concisely; listens carefully to others and adjusts communication style for different audiences and situations.
- Inclusion & Belonging: Demonstrates respect for all people; values diverse perspectives and fosters a culture of inclusion, belonging, and mutual respect.
Minimum Qualifications
- Student of Christian Science preferred
- Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements
- Bachelor's degree in Education; a focus in Early Childhood Education is preferred
- Experience working with children under the age of five in a professional, educational, or caregiving setting
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.
Compensation and Benefits
We offer a competitive salary range for this position, starting at $25 hourly for candidates with a Bachelor’s degree and no prior teaching experience. Salary is commensurate with degree and years of teaching experience.
In addition to salary, our comprehensive total rewards package includes:
- Generous Employee Tuition Discount: Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Preschool 3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded).
- Relocation: Principia provides a relocation imbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary, when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles
- Professional Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support.
- Comprehensive Benefits: Learn more about all our benefits here, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching, and more.
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.