Early Childhood Assistant Preschool Teacher

Thrive Preschool • Englewood, CO

4d • $21 - $23 • Onsite

About The Position

Thrive Englewood is a play-based learning preschool in Englewood, Colorado, seeking a full-time assistant teacher. The role is scheduled Monday through Friday, eight hours per day, and pays $20.86–$23.36 per hour, plus benefits. The assistant teacher works closely with the program director and teaching and support staff to create a nurturing educational environment for children and families.

The assistant teacher supports inquiry-based curriculum and children’s work projects, fosters children’s intellectual, physical, social, emotional, and character development, and helps meet diverse learning needs. The role also involves supporting families as partners in learning, communicating about children’s progress, participating in conferences, contributing to school-wide policies and activities, and coordinating equipment and supply needs with colleagues.

Requirements

• A positive attitude and passion for working with young children, families, and co-teachers.
• Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills.
• Intentional and reflective professional practices.
• Meet or exceed Colorado’s minimum qualifications for employment as an Early Childhood Lead Teacher, including training, experience, and background check requirements.
• Experience as a lead teacher at a large childcare center in Colorado.
• Ability to work occasional weekends and evenings for events such as open houses, family-teacher conferences, and seasonal holiday celebrations.
• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, with a major in early childhood education, elementary education, special education, family and child development, or child psychology.

Nice To Haves

• A love of nature and spending time outdoors in all weather.
• Dedication to play-based learning.
• Experience, training, and/or knowledge of Reggio Emilia educational practices and philosophies.
• A special talent, skill, or hobby to share with children and fellow teachers, such as art, multilingual ability, playing an instrument, singing, puppetry, storytelling, woodworking, knitting, cooking, or gardening.

Responsibilities

• Assist the lead teacher in developing and implementing inquiry-based curriculum, documentation, and children’s work projects in accordance with the school’s educational philosophy.
• Cultivate a learning environment that supports intellectual, physical, social, emotional, and character development and responds to children’s diverse needs and learning styles.
• Plan activities for children with special needs, with training and technical assistance from disabilities and mental health specialists; implement individual education plans, behavior management plans, and individualized services or activities as outlined.
• Establish and enforce classroom behavior rules and procedures to maintain safety and order.
• Conduct ongoing observation, assessment, and developmental screenings of students.
• Maintain open, friendly, and cooperative relationships with children and families; communicate regularly about children’s progress and respond to child and family needs in a timely manner.
• Create opportunities for family involvement in the classroom, encourage family participation, and conduct family-teacher conferences.
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and review of school-wide policies, procedures, and activities in conjunction with the program director, as appropriate.
• Plan for equipment and supply needs with lead teachers and other program staff.
• Attend scheduled training opportunities and staff meetings.
• Perform other tasks and duties deemed necessary by the program director to create an educational environment for children and families.

Benefits

• Six weeks of paid holidays and breaks, with additional non-student contact days.
• 80 hours of paid time off each year in addition to regular school holidays and breaks.
• Employer contributions toward group medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) plan with employer contribution matching.
• Monthly classroom supplies and materials budget.
• Time out of the classroom to plan and execute learning experiences.
• Professional development and continuing education opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level