Teaching Assistant, Harlem Gems North
About The Position
Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ) Gems seeks a Pre-Kindergarten Teaching Assistant for the 2025-2026 school year! The Gems Teaching Assistant will bring a passion for the goal of HCZ Gems: to prepare our youngest scholars to succeed in K-12 and beyond by building a strong academic foundation and starting them on the path to college and career. The ideal candidate cares deeply about children, respects the culture of Harlem’s residents, and is eager to make an impact in our community and beyond. At Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ), our mission is to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty and unlock new possibilities for our children, families, and communities. As the Pre-Kindergarten school within HCZ’s cradle-to-career pathway, Harlem Gems prepares our youngest scholars to succeed by delivering exceptional education and building a strong academic foundation—empowering young minds, inspiring potential, and creating lasting change. By joining, you become part of a transformative movement dedicated to shaping brighter futures and driving extraordinary outcomes for those we serve. Harlem Gems is the final step in our early childhood pipeline. A top-notch, year-round, full-day pre-kindergarten program, Gems works with 160 children across two sites to ensure that each and everyone enters kindergarten school-ready. Gems staff encourage strong family involvement, engaging parents and caregivers in classroom activities, and creating consistency between home and school.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree
- Early childhood education and/or educational background
- Valid New York State Teaching Assistant Certification (or in the process of obtaining certification, which must be completed within 30 days of hire)
Responsibilities
- Support the Lead Teacher in lesson delivery and student learning.
- Help students achieve grade-level standards while maintaining high academic and personal expectations.
- Manage the classroom in the teacher’s absence and substitute in other classrooms as needed.
- Enforce school policies on student conduct and discipline, ensuring a focused learning environment.
- Assist with student arrival, dismissal, and transitions.
- Engage in activities outside the classroom and contribute to program planning.
- Address behavioral and emergency situations following school policies.
- Monitor and report students' academic, physical, and emotional well-being.
- Collect and submit data in a timely manner.
- Attend staff meetings and supervisory conferences.
Benefits
- Highly competitive base salaries
- Up to $10,000 in Student Loan Forgiveness
- Sick time
- Employee referral bonus
- Career advancement
- No-cost health insurance
- Life Insurance
- Short-and long-term disability
- Additional voluntary benefits
- Wellness discounts
- Commuter benefits
- Financial wellness perks
- Additional Benefits (Discounts on flights, hotels, theme parks, concert tickets, and more.)
- Teachers receive a personal laptop, Smartboards, and tablets; bi-weekly professional development; and the support of a team of academic coaches, deans, guidance counselors, and social workers who are committed to ensuring the success of all our scholars.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
