Early Childhood Teacher Assistant

Professional Opportunity: Early Childhood Assistant Teacher

St. Nicholas School is a vibrant leader in independent education in the Chattanooga community. Our Kindergarten is a progressive program that is Reggio-Inspired and nature-based. These emergent inquiry teaching philosophies encourage curiosity, fosters creativity, empowers children, and lays the foundation for a lifelong love of learning.

Position Overview:

The Early Learning Center at St. Nicholas School is a progressive early childhood program meeting the needs of Kindergarten children. We seek to hire an assistant teacher with a background in early childhood education and child development with commensurate experience. The successful candidate must be a collaborative team member and positive thinker, exhibit a model work ethic and can-do attitude, be loving and nurturing, and possess strong communication skills. This is a full-time position.

Areas of Responsibility:

• Assist and support the lead teacher to plan and implement age and developmentally appropriate classroom practices that will include the areas of physical, emotional, social and cognitive/intellectual needs of the children, utilizing early childhood educational best practices.
• Accept and maintain responsibility on a daily basis for the ordered arrangement, appearance and cleanliness of the learning environment.
• Work with the lead teachers to complete weekly lesson plans and maintain a portfolio for each student (this primarily involves uploading digital pictures and notes).
• Work with the lead teachers to encourage children’s development in the areas of building self-confidence, problem solving, and taking responsibility for their actions.
• Foster and build strong relationships with each child on a daily basis through meeting time, classroom exploration, outdoor exploration, snacks, lunchtime, playground, etc.
• Work with children in outdoor environments in a variety of weather conditions.
• Assist with transferring students to enrichment classes and help supervise children and support teachers in enrichment classes.
• Manage the classroom in the teacher’s absence.
• Complete daily attendance report and any other data requested from teacher assistants for office records.
• Assist the lead teacher to consistently, yet lovingly, teach developmentally appropriate classroom behaviors
• Assist the lead teacher to build positive, informative, and communicative relationships with the parents and other caregivers.
• Work with courtesy, tact, and diplomacy in dealing with others, and work cooperatively as part of a team.
• Be an active and integral part of the St. Nicholas Community by fostering relationships with other teachers and staff at all grade levels and in all departments.
• Exhibit a growth mind-set in the area of professional learning and development by completing ongoing training in Inquiry-based, Reggio-inspired, and nature-based early childhood pedagogies.
• Understand, accept, and abide by the School’s philosophy and mission statement in all his/her school activities.

Qualifications:

o Degree in Early Childhood Education (preferred).

o Deep knowledge and understanding of emergent curriculum and willingness to support children in an Inquiry-based, Reggio-inspired learning environment by fostering exploration and discovery with open-ended questions and dialogue.

o 2+ years’ experience in a quality Early Childhood program.

o TDHS background clearance.

o Exhibit strong organizational skills and creativity.

o Experience working in a state licensed program.

o Possess strong time management skills.

o Maintain certification in First Aid and CPR.

o Show strong interpersonal and leadership skills, possessing initiative, flexibility, responsiveness and nimbleness.

o Exhibit basic computer literacy skills with a knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suite.

o Must be able to successfully perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Application Procedures:

St. Nicholas School is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a competitive salaries, benefits and professional opportunities. Interested candidates should submit electronically a cover letter outlining their interest in and qualifications for this specific position, a resume and three professional references to: complete our online pre-employment application found at https://www.stns.org/about/employment

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: $17.31 - $20.85 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Tutoring: 1 year (Required)

Work Location: In person