Assistant Teacher - Vestal Elementary
About The Position
The Assistant Teacher at CAIRO Academy participates as part of a cohesive teaching team, assists the Lead Teacher in coordinating the curriculum, and manages day-to-day classroom operations. The role requires understanding children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development to help maintain a safe, stimulating classroom where children are actively engaged and encouraged to succeed. The Assistant Teacher communicates with children and adults, contributes to the teaching team, and supports the Lead Teacher in addressing parent or guardian concerns. When the Lead Teacher is on leave, the Assistant Teacher assumes the Lead Teacher’s duties and responsibilities. CAIRO Academy is a nonprofit preschool program funded by Preschool Promise and Preschool For All. It uses the Creative Curriculum and Second Step social-emotional teaching tools in a play-based learning environment. The program emphasizes culturally specific and accessible preschool education, student-led curiosity, and children’s expression through language, music, art, writing, movement, and experimentation. Its school-year schedule runs from late August to mid-June. Classrooms are located at elementary schools across Multnomah and Washington Counties. The Assistant Teacher works in collaboration with the Lead Teacher and Multi-Site Coordinators to meet and maintain standards set by the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), Environmental Health Authority, OSHA, Preschool Promise, and Preschool For All. Staff may be required to administer medication or receive training to do so from an RN nurse through the PFA program. Staff may be scheduled to work at any CAIRO Academy site, sometimes on short notice, and may travel to assigned training.
Requirements
- At least 1 year of experience working with students ages 3–5 in a Certified Childcare Center; experience will be verified.
- Previous teaching experience in a setting focused on inclusion and supporting students with individual needs ranging from low-support to high-support needs.
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Minimum ORO Step 6.
- Must meet at least one stated qualification pathway: 750 hours of qualifying teaching experience in a Certified Child Care Center or comparable group care program at the appropriate age level; one year or 1,500 hours of qualifying teaching experience in Registered Family or Certified Family childcare; documentation of at least Step 6 in the Oregon Registry or 9 quarter credits in two CKCs (including 3 in HGD or UGB); an associate’s degree or higher in a listed field; or a state- or nationally recognized credential such as a CDA.
- Fluency in speaking, reading, and writing English.
- Must be currently enrolled in Oregon’s Central Background Registry before an offer of employment can be extended.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and meet the physical requirements of the role, including frequent bending and crouching, sitting on the floor or in small chairs, moving quickly to redirect children for safety, responding to emergencies, standing or walking up to 6 hours per workday, and repetitive hand use.
Nice To Haves
- Ability to speak, read, and write Somali, Arabic, Swahili, Farsi, Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Cantonese, or American Sign Language.
Responsibilities
- Participate as part of a cohesive teaching team.
- Assist the Lead Teacher in coordinating the curriculum.
- Manage day-to-day operational activities of the classroom.
- Help provide a safe and stimulating classroom environment in which children are actively engaged and encouraged to succeed.
- Communicate effectively with children and adults to meet children’s needs and participate in the teaching team.
- Support the Lead Teacher in resolving parent or guardian concerns.
- Assume the duties and responsibilities of the Lead Teacher when the Lead Teacher is on leave.
- Collaborate with the Lead Teacher and Multi-Site Coordinators to meet and maintain applicable program, health, and safety standards.
- Administer medication if required, or complete training to do so.
- Work at assigned CAIRO Academy sites as needed and travel to assigned training.
Benefits
- Up to 7 days of accrued paid time off per year.
- Up to 40 hours of accrued sick leave per year.
- 5 days of paid time off for spring break, aligned with the school district.
- 16 paid company holidays.
- Medical and dental insurance with employee-only premiums covered 100% by CAIRO.
- Vision insurance with a low-cost employee premium.
- 401(k) plan with up to 3% employer match.
- Paid professional development opportunities.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
