Assistant Teacher

The Gardner School•Dedham, MA

About The Position

The Assistant Teacher supports the Lead Teacher in delivering age-appropriate curriculum and activities that meet children’s developmental needs. The role involves engaging children through play and learning, providing nurturing guidance, adapting activities to children’s interests and needs, and helping maintain a clean, organized, safe, and positive classroom. The Assistant Teacher follows health, safety, hygiene, and sanitation procedures, including those related to diapering, feeding, and supervision. The position also involves communicating respectfully with families, collaborating with teachers and school leaders, following licensing requirements and school policies, protecting confidential information, and participating in training and development. The Gardner School is an academically focused preschool serving children from 6 weeks to 5 years old. It offers an environment designed to support children’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth, along with training, orientation, and continuing education programs. The school describes opportunities for internal advancement within its privately owned company.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
Ability to reliably commute to the school’s location.
Fluent English reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension skills sufficient to communicate effectively with students, families, and staff, implement curriculum and safety procedures, and complete written reports.
Meet applicable state licensing requirements for education and experience.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with children, peers, and families.
Basic understanding of early childhood development principles.
Strong time-management and multitasking abilities.
Positive attitude and problem-solving mindset.
Intermediate PC or administrative skills.
Frequently lift, carry, or hold children and infants weighing 10 to 60 pounds.
Ability to bend, reach, and move freely throughout the classroom.
Ability to operate a computer, phone, and classroom or office equipment.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

One or more years of experience working with children ages 6 weeks to 5 years.
Passion for early childhood education and a nurturing, joyful approach to care.
Interest in growing within a supportive, mission-driven preschool environment.

Responsibilities

Assist the Lead Teacher in implementing age-appropriate curriculum and activities aligned with children’s developmental needs.
Engage with children during play, learning activities, and transitions.
Provide nurturing guidance to support children’s emotional and behavioral development.
Adapt activities based on observations of individual children’s interests and needs.
Help keep the classroom clean, organized, and safe by supporting routines, hygiene, and sanitation procedures.
Follow health and safety guidelines for diapering, feeding, and supervising children.
Help manage classroom materials and maintain a calm, positive environment.
Build respectful, supportive relationships with parents and families.
Participate in ongoing communication and classroom updates as directed by the Lead Teacher.
Collaborate with teaching team members and school leaders to promote consistency and support across classrooms.
Maintain a professional, team-oriented approach.
Follow state licensing regulations and The Gardner School’s policies and procedures.
Maintain confidentiality regarding child and school information.
Maintain reliable attendance and participate in ongoing training and development.