Lower School Teaching Assistant

The Blake School•Hopkins, MN

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Blake School seeks to hire a Lower School teaching assistant for the 2026-27 school year beginning in August. This role supports students at Blake’s Early Learning Center, working with pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade students. The hourly rate for this position begins at $21/hour and increases commensurate with experience. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position for the 2026-27 school year. Applications will be reviewed beginning May 11. Blake is particularly interested in candidates who will enrich the diversity of identity, lived experience and thinking that strengthens our community and empowers students to engage across differences. The Blake School is a pre-kindergarten through grade 12, co-educational, nonsectarian, independent day school enrolling bright, talented students from nearly 56 Twin Cities-area communities. Founded in 1900, The Blake School has the advantage of facilities and campuses designed for specific developmental ages. Blake's mission is to engage students with a dynamic, academically challenging education in a diverse and supportive community committed to pluralism and a common set of values. Students pursue an integrated program of academic, artistic and athletic activities, preparing for college, lifelong learning and purposeful lives as community and global citizens. The school community is also guided by its Commitment to Pluralism and values. The Blake School believes that a diverse society enriches all individuals and communities. Diversity of race, ethnicity, national origin, geography, religion, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, age, physical ability, and marital, parental, or economic status forms the fabric of our society. As a result of these beliefs, The Blake School actively seeks students, families and employees who value and contribute to the fullness of a diverse community within the context of its mission. In doing so, we recognize our responsibility to help make each person's experience a success. EOE

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or Minimum of 2 years experience in a PK-5 classroom
DHS background study
Yearly health and safety training
Yearly child development course(s)
CPR certification
Presentation of transcripts (officially evaluated if from an international institution)

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of children’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical developmental stages
Ability to work with children, families and colleagues with diverse backgrounds and experiences
Effective written and oral communication skills to engage with colleagues, parents and community members
Active listener who honors children’s thoughts, feelings and ideas
Interest in using the outdoors as a rich teaching environment
Familiarity with or knowledge of the Reggio Emilia approach to teaching

Responsibilities

Substitute as lead teacher during any lead teacher absence
Support full-class, small-group and specialist instruction
Assist in developing and implementing a progressive, often emergent, curriculum
Provide supervision and support during recess and before- and after-school programming
Perform day-to-day duties that support the ongoing classroom operations while maintaining proper adult-student ratios
Participate in professional development opportunities
Document student exploration and work
Participate in and support parent/teacher conferences twice a year