Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

About Sidwell Friends School

Sidwell Friends School is a dynamic pre-kindergarten through grade 12 educational community, on campuses in Bethesda, Maryland, and Washington, DC. Sidwell is grounded in Quaker values of ethical leadership, global citizenship, environmental stewardship, and service. Through our curriculum and our approach to learning, we strive to help students discern deeper truths about themselves and our common humanity so that they may “let their lives speak.”

Sidwell Friends will open a new Upper School for grades 9-12 in September 2026. It will be the largest building on campus and will feature state-of-the art facilities, welcoming common spaces, and natural light throughout. The current Lower School, in Bethesda, Maryland, has been separated from the rest of the Sidwell campus for more than 60 years.

Starting in the summer of 2026, Sidwell Friends will begin construction of a new Lower School that will incorporate parts of the existing Upper School, with significant additions and modifications to accommodate the needs of our youngest students. The new Lower School, along with the creation of a new central green space that will unite the campus, will open in the fall of 2028.

Position Overview

The Kindergarten Assistant Teacher supports the academic and social-emotional development of students in collaboration with the Lead Teacher in a classroom of 16 children. This role offers aspiring educators the opportunity to engage fully in the life of the classroom while learning alongside experienced colleagues. The Assistant Teacher participates in all aspects of teaching and supervision, with opportunities to gradually assume greater instructional responsibility. The position is ideal for individuals pursuing a career in education, working toward a teaching credential, or seeking a fully engaged teaching role with fewer external demands.

Key Responsibilities

Teaching and Instructional Support

• Build strong, supportive relationships with students, families, and colleagues.
• Assist the Lead Teacher in delivering instruction through 1:1, small group, and whole-class teaching.
• Support academic and social-emotional interventions for individual students or small groups.
• Collaborate with the Lead Teacher to plan lessons and document student growth.
• Take over classroom leadership when the Lead Teacher is attending meetings or off-site.
• Attend and participate in faculty meetings, professional development sessions, parent conferences, and community events.

Supervisory and Student Support

• Supervise students during non-instructional times such as transitions, lunch, recess, arrival, and dismissal.
• Maintain a safe, respectful, and inclusive classroom environment.
• Support carpool and end-of-day routines.

Classroom Management and Clerical Support

• Assist with the preparation, organization, and cleanup of materials and classroom spaces.
• Help maintain classroom organization and ensure a clean, inviting learning environment.
• Support attendance tracking, documentation of student work, and updates to learning platforms (e.g., Canvas).
• Help check and track student work and assignments.

Required Skills & Experience

• Passion for early childhood education and a student-centered approach to learning.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Commitment to culturally responsive and inclusive teaching practices.
• Flexibility, collaboration, and a willingness to grow as an educator.

Salary & Benefits

Sidwell Friends School offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees’ health, well-being, and long-term financial security. Benefits include multiple medical, dental, and vision plan options; school-paid life and long-term disability insurance; wellness programs; and flexible spending accounts.

Sidwell contributes 7% of gross salary to a 403(b) retirement plan, with a 3% employee contribution, along with generous paid time off including school breaks, federal holidays, personal days, and paid family leave. Additional benefits include free lunch and parking, public transportation support, access to campus facilities, childcare and summer program discounts, and other community-focused resources.

Salary : $51,366

To Apply
To be considered, qualified candidates must upload a cover letter, resume, and three references through our applicant tracking system (ClearCo). To learn more about our school and current openings, please visit our website.

Diversity Statement
Sidwell Friends School affirms the centrality of diversity and inclusion in all aspects of academic and campus life. Honoring a multiplicity of voices, we celebrate shared joys and address tensions productively. Together, we are guided by Quaker testimonies and seek to answer the question, “How do we nurture a sense of belonging in our community and demonstrate our commitment to a just world?"