What are the responsibilities and job description for the Teacher Assistant Lower School position at University School of Nashville?
Lower School Teacher Assistant
2026-2027 School Year
University School of Nashville is currently accepting applications for Lower School Teacher Assistants for the 2026-2027 school year. These positions offer a unique opportunity to be part of a classroom throughout the entire school year, helping teachers create a dynamic and inclusive learning environment. Through guided work in the classroom, Teacher Assistants gain a deeper sense of the many responsibilities and joys of the teaching profession. Teacher Assistants take an active part in the life of the school and are integral to helping USN carry out its mission to teach with best practices.
Teacher Assistants are assigned to Lower School classrooms in Kindergarten through Second Grade. They work closely with a lead teacher to support students in the classroom. Duties include assisting with classroom management, supporting individual students, working with small groups, and preparing classroom materials. Additionally, Teacher Assistants help with assessing students, documenting class activities, supporting the daily maintenance of the classroom, and helping supervise lunch and recess periods.
Qualifications Sought
We seek talented individuals who want to further their understanding of teaching young children. Priority is given to aspiring teachers who are motivated to further their knowledge about classroom teaching. A Bachelor’s degree is required. Successful experience working with children in a group setting is preferred.
Candidates should be able to devote 4- 5 hours per day between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Monday-Friday from August to May. Exact hours are dependent upon the grade level to which the Teacher Assistant is assigned. The rate of pay for this position is $22.50 per hour.
Qualifications:Responsibilities
- Assist with classroom tasks as directed by the mentor teacher
- Provide support for individual students and small groups
- Prepare materials for lessons and projects (copying, laminating, etc.)
- Assist with student assessments and documentation
- Attend training sessions for professional development
- Work in concert with the mentor teacher to support the academic and social-emotional curricula
- Provide support and supervision during field trips, special events, cafeteria, and playground times
- Serve as a role model for students by exhibiting the qualities essential for a caring, cooperative community of learners
- Perform other duties as determined by the Assistant Head of Lower School and, in some cases, the Head of Lower School or the Director
Qualifications and Experience
- A bachelor’s degree is required
- Successful experience working with children in a group setting is preferred
Skills and Abilities
- Attend to punctuality for all assigned work times
- Maintain a positive and professional demeanor
- Work collaboratively with all faculty and staff members
- Work responsively and supportively with students
- Communicate effectively
- Demonstrate commitment to developing as a teacher
- Demonstrate flexibility and attention to detail with tasks and assignments
The School
University School of Nashville is an independent, non-sectarian, co-educational day school with an enrollment of over 1,000 students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. In 1915, the George Peabody College for Teachers opened Peabody Demonstration School (PDS), USN’s predecessor, which earned acclaim for its curriculum and faculty. In 1974, Peabody College announced plans to close PDS, and a group of parents, alumni, students, and teachers reconstituted and re-chartered the school as University School of Nashville.
USN’s midtown location adjacent to Vanderbilt University and its Peabody College for Teachers reminds us each day of our beginnings 110 years ago in the demonstration school culture of innovation and educational best practices. It’s a vibrant educational community for both students and teachers in the midst of a dynamic city.
We seek educators who are enthusiastic about their own learning to complement their teaching, and we offer opportunities for professional growth. USN is committed to creating an institutional environment that mirrors the cultural and ethnic composition of greater Nashville. USN encourages a diverse applicant pool and provides equal employment opportunities for employees and job applicants.
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