Kindergarten Teaching Assistant/Science and Social Studies Teacher

Maureen Joy Charter School • Durham, NC

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Maureen Joy Charter School is seeking a highly qualified Teaching Assistant to provide support in general education kindergarten classrooms for the 2026-2027 school year. This role is vital for supporting the creation of a nurturing and effective learning environment for our youngest learners. The ideal candidate is a joyful, creative, and nurturing individual with a genuine interest in the development of young people, possessing a patient and engaging approach to assisting with academic and social development. They should be proactive, supportive, and able to provide effective assistance to the lead teacher in daily classroom activities. In alignment with the school's mission, Maureen Joy seeks dedicated educators committed to anti-racist principles who represent the diverse identities and backgrounds of the school community. The candidate should be coachable and eager to receive and act on constructive feedback to improve their teaching practice, embodying the learner aims of being critically conscious, agile, collaborative, and creative.

Requirements

• Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field; a Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• At least 1 year of experience working with young people in an elementary or childcare setting.
• Strong understanding of the developmental needs and milestones of kindergarten-aged children.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with the lead teacher and other teammates to implement educational activities and manage classroom dynamics.
• A warm and friendly personality that fosters a positive and supportive learning environment.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to keep track of multiple activities and tasks.
• Effective communication skills to interact positively with children, parents, and staff.
• Strong collaboration skills to interact consistently with assigned teachers and to problem solve collaboratively as needed (this could also say takes feedback and direction from assigned teachers).
• Ability to work effectively under the guidance of the lead teacher and participate actively in the educational team.

Nice To Haves

• Creativity and flexibility to respond to the needs of children and adapt to changing classroom activities and schedules.
• Experience working with students with diverse learning needs, including students with disabilities and multi-language learners.
• Experience with designing and delivering project-based activities for Kindergarten-aged students.
• A desire to grow professionally in the educational field.

Responsibilities

• Assist the lead teacher in planning and executing classroom activities and routines.
• Plan and teach a 30-minute science and social studies block to a Kindergarten homeroom daily.
• Assist in managing the classroom environment, ensuring it is clean, safe, and conducive to learning.
• Implement positive behavior support systems and individualized behavior plans as needed.
• Support the lead teacher in observing and documenting children’s progress and behavior.
• Reinforce student intervention or individualized education plans (IEPs).
• Engage with students in one-on-one or small group settings to reinforce learning objectives and assist with skill development.
• Follow a daily teaching assistant schedule and communicate with the lead teacher regarding changes (e.g., absence, late arrival, etc.).
• Serve as a substitute teacher to support lower elementary classrooms as needed.
• Attend to students who need additional support (e.g, eating, hygiene, and self-care).
• Assist in various classroom and school duties, including meal supervision, bathroom routines, recess, and classroom preparation and cleanup.
• Assist in various school duties, including arrival, lunch, dismissal, and recess as needed.
• Attend and participate in faculty meetings and professional development sessions.
• Engage in continuous professional growth to improve teaching and learning.
• Ensure compliance with school policies and regulatory requirements.
• Participation in extracurricular activities such as clubs, sports, or after-school tutoring is encouraged.
• Flexibility to take on various roles within the school as needed to support overall student engagement and success.
• Participate in the MJCS performance evaluation process.

Benefits

• Contribute to the development and learning of young children, making a positive impact in their first formal educational experience.
• Collaborate closely with experienced educational professionals in a supportive and dynamic environment.
• Develop professionally through ongoing training and feedback from educational leaders.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree