What are the responsibilities and job description for the Teacher Assistant position at Wood River Preschool?
Teacher Assistant
2026-2027 School Year
The Teacher Assistant, under the direction of the Preschool Director, is responsible for providing a stimulating, safe, and developmentally appropriate educational environment for preschool-aged children. This includes implementing daily classroom lesson plans, fostering children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development, and ensuring a safe and healthy environment.
Job Functions
- Assist the lead teacher(s) with implementing lesson plans and classroom activities
- Help prepare instructional materials and organize learning activities
- Greet the children as they arrive with warmth and affection and assist the children who may need a little extra TLC
- Provide one-on-one or small-group support to students as directed
- Supervise students in the classroom, on the playground, outdoors and on field trips
- Help maintain a clean, organized, and safe classroom environment
- Support students with special needs as required
- Sit and engage with the children at snack/lunch time. Initiate and/or guide their conversations. Serve as a role model for good table manners and for dialogue exchanges
- Communicate effectively and politely both orally and in writing with students, staff and families
- Utilize classroom management techniques to maintain a positive learning environment
- Administer basic first aid to children as needed
- Consult daily cleaning schedule and administer daily classroom cleaning duties
- Attend required staff meetings, workshops, and/or school events
- Perform other related duties as assigned by the lead teacher(s) or the Director
Qualifications
- Employees who work more than 20 hours/week are required to attend 18 hours of early childhood professional development every school year
- Current CPR and First Aid certification, or the ability to obtain it upon hiring.
- Team-oriented, flexible, and cooperative approach to work
- Requires a patient and empathetic demeanor with a commitment to providing nurturing care
- Associate’s degree or equivalent education and experience
- Background check clearance is required
- Prior experience with young children in an educational setting is necessary
- A strong understanding of child development is important
The physical demands of this role are those required to perform the job’s essential functions. These demands include the ability to crouch, crawl, bend, climb, kneel, or stoop, stand and walk for extended periods, and use hands and fingers for equipment operation. The position also requires lifting up to 40 pounds for child handling, safety, and emergencies. Specific vision and hearing abilities are necessary for monitoring students, reading materials, and effective communication. Reaching in various directions and the ability to run is also required. The Teacher Assistant will be required to be outdoors multiple times each day throughout the school year as part of the daily schedule.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, Discrimination based on protected characteristics such as disability, sex, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, or veteran status is not permitted.
This job description’s information complies with the ADA and does not encompass all potential duties. The employer reserves the right to modify or assign additional duties as needed.
Pay: From $17.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
Salary : $17