Lead Assistant Teacher, Elementary

PACIFIC UNIVERSITY • Forest Grove, OR

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Pacific University is seeking a Lead Assistant Teacher for its Early Learning Community (ELC) on the Forest Grove Campus. The ELC is a demonstration school serving over 100 children from preschool through 4th grade, providing hands-on learning experiences and preparing future educators. This role supports a Lead Teacher in an elementary classroom, which combines two grade levels to allow for in-depth learning over two years. The Assistant Teacher will provide individualized support to 20-24 students, lead an aftercare program, and collaborate on school-wide events. The position is non-exempt and located in Forest Grove, OR.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age and have successfully graduated from high school.
• Solid understanding of K-2 math and literacy concepts including place value, adding and subtracting within 100, telling time, money, early multiplication, early reading skills to decode and spell grade-level vocabulary, and conventions of writing such as capitalization and punctuation.
• Demonstrated experience leading groups of 10-20 children independently for at least 30 minutes of time in a school, camp, tutoring, or school-aged child care setting.
• Must be able to successfully enroll in the Oregon Central Background Registry and complete licensing trainings.
• Must meet the requirements of the Department of Early Learning and Care for a Teacher who is qualified to independently supervise school-aged children, such as having 240+ hours of experience with school-aged children; an Associate’s Degree or higher in an education/child development field; or a Step 6+ in the Oregon Registry.
• Strong oral English communication skills required to lead break-out groups in literacy and math.
• Demonstrated ability to help children learn a new concept.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage a group of children during unstructured play to both ensure safety and teach children social-emotional “friendship” skills as the need arises.
• High degree of reliability and commitment to work hours scheduled.
• Can establish and maintain pleasant, effective working relationships with children and colleagues.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and continue to work without employer visa sponsorship, now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

• Some college coursework in education or related disciplines or 5+ years of experience in an educational setting.
• Demonstrated experience leading groups of 10-20 elementary-aged children.
• Previous experience with K-4 learners and/or managing groups of students during outdoor activities/recess/PE strongly preferred.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish or English and Mandarin.
• Previous academic or work experience with hands-on play and/or project-based curricula.
• Valid Oregon Driver’s license and willingness to take drive Pacific van for field trips, including completing Pacific’s driver certification process.

Responsibilities

• Lead 10-15 children in scripted 30-minute literacy and/or math lessons.
• Independently and safely supervise the full group of 20-24 students during outdoor recess time and lunch.
• Lead the group to safely and efficiently transition between spaces, keeping students within sight at all times.
• Maintain agreed-upon behavioral expectations and classroom/outdoor space rules with a focus on teaching students social-emotional skills.
• During lunch time, engage students in read-alouds, lunch time chats, and/or show & tell circles as appropriate.
• Assist the Lead Teacher in delivering the curriculum to the whole group of students.
• Help to prepare and distribute materials for the lesson.
• Independently identify and respond to classroom needs during the lesson so that the Lead Teacher can stay focused on the group as a whole.
• Work with individual students and small groups of up to 15 students on assigned classwork and learning assessments as needed.
• Collaborate with the Lead Teacher to monitor student progress and effectively implement curricula.
• After gaining experience in the classroom, take over the classroom in the Lead Teacher’s absence, typically with the support of a substitute teacher filling in for the Assistant Teacher role.
• Plan and implement the elementary aftercare program, in partnership with the other Elementary Aftercare Teachers.
• Plan and implement activities for the roughly 2 hours of care, providing opportunities for snack, outdoor play, creative exploration, and time to complete school work (as needed).
• Follow licensing regulations and guidelines related to teacher/child ratio, sign in/out, supervision requirements, and health/sanitation procedures.
• Collaborate with other elementary aftercare staff and any university student workers present during this time to maximize student engagement and support.
• Maintain a healthy and attractive classroom space.
• Tidy up throughout the day, including students in these efforts, and sanitize tables for meals.
• Perform additional tasks as needed such as putting up chairs, retrieving and folding completed laundry, and running dishes through the sanitizer at the end of the day.
• Contribute to a welcoming, positive school environment that is a great place to learn and to teach.
• Interact with students in a manner that is warm and engaging yet still clear and firm.
• Ensure families, visitors, and volunteers feel welcome in the classroom.
• Ask questions, share ideas, and implement feedback from the Lead Teacher.
• Communicate appreciations, questions, and challenges to other colleagues and the Head of School.
• From time to time and as able, demonstrate an openness and flexibility to take on additional duties or shift hours slightly as needed for the smooth operation of school and well-being of the children.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off (for vacation, holidays—including winter break—and sick leave)
• Medical coverage with alternative care options (with in-network services covered at 100% after payroll deduction)
• Comprehensive dental and vision plans
• Generous retirement contribution after one year of service with no match required
• Free mental health appointments
• Tuition remission for employees and their dependent child(ren) who meet eligibility requirements
• On-campus benefits, including free access to our sports facility and library
• Discounts on campus food, bookstore purchases, clinic services, and outdoor program gear rentals (including kayaks, snowshoes, and bikes)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED