(South Mountain) Preschool Assistant Teacher (October Start)

Sun Valley Academy•Phoenix, AZ

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Sun Valley Education is seeking a caring, dependable, student- and family-centered Assistant Preschool Teacher to support the daily operations of its Preschool program at the South Mountain location. The role helps create a safe, nurturing, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate environment where young children can learn and thrive. The Assistant Teacher works under the direction of the Preschool Lead Teacher, supporting daily activities, weekly lesson plans, special events, and family engagement. The position is full-time, non-exempt, and pays $18 per hour. The role is identified as an October start, but no specific starting date is provided. The Assistant Teacher supports the supervision and care of children, assists with age-appropriate activities and classroom routines, prepares learning environments, communicates with families and school staff, and helps maintain records and classroom supplies. The position also requires following school policies and licensing requirements, attending trainings and meetings, and occasionally attending events outside regular work hours. Sun Valley Education is a charter school district serving Avondale, Glendale, and South Mountain. It emphasizes educating the whole child, leadership development, community involvement, extracurricular activities, diversity and inclusion, community partnerships, and sustainable practices. The organization describes its environment as warm, caring, and supportive, and offers a comprehensive benefits package and future growth opportunities.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Actively working toward an Early Childhood Education (ECE) certification, Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, or degree in a related field.
At least two years of previous experience working with preschool-aged children.
Must be at least 18 years of age and capable of independently caring for a large group of children in a classroom environment.
Level One IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card or ability to obtain one before employment.
Successful completion of required background checks.
Current TB test results dated within the previous year.
Current CPR and First Aid Certification; completion must be in person.
Valid Food Handler’s Card.
Register with the Arizona Registry upon hire.
Complete required annual training to fulfill applicable licensing and professional development requirements.
Proficiency with Microsoft programs.
Dependable transportation.
Knowledge of preschool-aged children and developmentally appropriate practices.
Strong verbal and written communication, organizational, interpersonal, and customer service skills.
Ability to follow written and oral directions, work independently, take initiative, and manage classroom responsibilities with minimal supervision.
Reliability, punctuality, professional judgment, and a collaborative, positive attitude in a fast-paced early childhood environment.
Commitment to high-quality, student- and family-centered care and serving as a positive role model.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, or a related field.
Current CDA or other Early Childhood Education credential.
Experience working in a preschool, childcare, school, or early childhood education setting.
Experience developing and implementing developmentally appropriate lesson plans and activities.
Experience communicating with families and supporting family engagement.
Experience with child assessments, parent-teacher conferences, or classroom documentation.
Familiarity with Arizona early childhood education requirements and licensing standards.
Experience using Class Dojo, Microsoft programs, or other classroom communication and administrative tools.

Responsibilities

Support the Preschool Lead Teacher with daily supervision, care, and coordination of the preschool program, maintaining a warm, safe, and inclusive environment.
Assist with planning and implementing developmentally appropriate daily activities and weekly lesson plans aligned with the school’s curriculum.
Engage children in learning activities and play that promote development, exploration, independence, and positive social interactions.
Maintain active supervision of children, ensure appropriate staff-to-child ratios, and position staff to maintain clear visibility of all children.
Assist children with age-appropriate activities of daily living, including hand washing, family-style meals, and caring for the classroom environment.
Prepare and maintain organized classrooms, activities, materials, and learning environments for daily programming.
Monitor classroom supplies and inventory and submit supply requests to the Director for approval.
Build positive, professional relationships with children and families through daily interactions, Class Dojo, and other appropriate communication channels.
Communicate and collaborate with Preschool staff, school personnel, and leadership.
Assist with attendance records, sign-in/out documentation, child assessments, and other required program records.
Support parent-teacher conferences, family participation events, school functions, and other program activities.
Report concerns involving children, coworkers, families, or program operations to the Lead Teacher or Director in a timely manner.
Follow school policies, procedures, licensing requirements, and program expectations, and respond proactively to issues that may affect safety or program quality.
Attend required trainings, staff meetings, school functions, and occasional events outside regular work hours.