ASSISTANT TEACHER JOB DESCRIPTION

An Assistant Teacher supports children and learning every single day. In licensed early childhood programs and K–12 classrooms, this role operates under state childcare licensure standards and Head Start Performance Standards, translating a Lead Teacher's instructional plan into moment-to-moment student support, from small-group literacy interventions to behavioral guidance and progress monitoring. The position demands sustained physical presence, attentiveness to individual developmental stages, and the ability to maintain a structured, nurturing environment across age spans from preschool through elementary grades.

As the Assistant Teacher, you support classroom instruction, student safety, and family communication under the direction of a Lead or Classroom Teacher to advance measurable learning outcomes for each child. You work across a caseload of students ranging from pre-K through upper elementary, with scope defined by grade-level team assignments and direct oversight from building administration.

Career Impact: Classroom experience logged against a CDA credential or state Teaching Assistant Certification builds a documented, verifiable record that accelerates advancement toward lead teaching licensure.

Business Impact: Consistent small-group intervention and progress monitoring directly determine whether struggling readers and math learners reach grade-level benchmarks before the next assessment window.

Growth Opportunity: Educators who move from assistant to lead roles report sharper skills in differentiated instruction and IEP-aligned planning, competencies that widen hiring options across public, charter, and Head Start settings.

• Support lead teacher in delivering developmentally appropriate lessons aligned to each child's Individualized Learning Plan.
• Conduct small-group literacy and math interventions using school-adopted curricula to address identified learning gaps.
• Monitor and document individual student progress through weekly assessments, reporting results to classroom teachers and families.
• Maintain a safe, organized classroom environment in compliance with state childcare licensure and campus behavioral expectations.
• Supervise students during all transitions, including arrival, dismissal, lunch, and movement between learning stations.
• Communicate regularly with parents and guardians regarding daily routines, student progress, and emerging concerns.
• Complete attendance records, compliance documentation, and student files within required deadlines set by local, state, and federal agencies.
• Participate in staff meetings, professional development sessions, and grade-level team planning to align instructional support strategies.

• Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 1 or more years of experience in a classroom or childcare setting, with direct responsibility for supervising groups of children.
• Working knowledge of child growth and development across preschool and elementary age ranges.
• Demonstrated ability to implement structured behavioral expectations and de-escalate challenging situations calmly.
• Competency in maintaining accurate student records and completing compliance documentation on schedule.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with children, families, and teaching staff in written and verbal form.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain within 9 months of hire.
• Ability to pass a background check, fingerprinting, and any health screening required by state licensure standards.

• CDA credential or active enrollment in a CDA or state Teaching Assistant Certification program.
• Experience supporting students with exceptional educational needs, including IEP implementation and differentiated instruction.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish, reflecting the linguistic needs of the families served.
• Familiarity with Head Start Performance Standards or state pre-K curriculum frameworks.

• Weekly progress monitoring completion rate, tracking whether all assigned students receive scheduled assessments.
• Intervention accuracy rate, measured by alignment of delivered lessons to each student's Individualized Learning Plan.
• Attendance and compliance documentation error rate, reflecting timeliness and accuracy across student files.
• Family communication frequency, tracking the number of documented parent contacts per reporting period.
• Student behavioral incident rate within supervised transitions, indicating consistency of safety protocols applied.
• Typical tools: student information systems (commonly PowerSchool or similar); progress monitoring platforms (commonly DIBELS or equivalent)

• Base Salary Range: $30,000–$42,000 per year, depending on certification and district
• Bonus: Annual step increases common in public school and Head Start settings
• Equity: Not typically offered at this level
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision; often subsidized through school district or nonprofit employer
• PTO: 10 to 15 paid holidays plus summer recess; sick leave per district policy
• Common Perks: Tuition reimbursement toward ECE credentials; access to district-sponsored professional development

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Work authorization in the United States is required for this position. Employment is contingent on successful completion of a background check, fingerprinting, and any health screening mandated by state childcare licensure. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, and local law. Candidates requiring reasonable accommodations during the application or employment process are encouraged to make that need known.

The Assistant Teacher owns the delivery of daily classroom activities for children aged 3–5, assisting the lead teacher in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate learning experiences while maintaining a safe, clean environment. Working alongside co-teachers and reporting to the lead teacher, this role contributes to the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development of each child in the group.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the lead teacher in daily classroom activities for children aged 3–5.
• Provide for the education, care, safety, and well-being of all children in the group.
• Meet the emotional, social, physical, and intellectual needs of each child.
• Assist in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate learning activities.
• Maintain a cooperative relationship with children, co-workers, and parents.
• Serve as a bus monitor during morning and afternoon bus routes.
• Assist in managing a safe, clean, and pleasant classroom environment.
• Collaborate with the lead teacher in preparing daily lesson plans.
• Model exemplary classroom practices for other assistant teachers.
• Provide peer coaching to other assistant teachers, floaters, and substitute teachers.
• Attend staff meetings and report problems of child or room management to the classroom teacher promptly.
• Attend in-service training and keep current on developments in the field of child development.

Required Qualifications

• CDA credential, or enrollment to complete within one year of hire, or a degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field with nine credits in Early Childhood Education, or enrollment to complete the degree within one year of hire.
• Certification in CPR and First Aid, obtained within nine months of employment.
• Experience teaching preschool children, including group experience with children from birth to four years old.
• Knowledge of state child care licensing requirements and Head Start Performance Standards.
• Ability to anticipate the needs of children and organize and execute daily activities.
• Intermediate computer literacy skills, including email and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to work cooperatively with other staff members.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required.
• Ability to travel locally or long-distance up to 10% of the time for work-related meetings and functions.

Embedded within the Academy Charter School's classroom and instructional program, the Assistant Teacher delivers support aligned to the school's mission, vision, objectives, and policies to meet the individual needs of all children. Working closely with classroom teachers, school counselors, and learning teams, this role builds student achievement by facilitating instruction, ensuring student safety, and maintaining a quality learning environment.

Core Functions

• Assist in instructing and supervising children in classroom activities.
• Monitor children continuously to ensure safety at all times, and report child abuse and neglect when necessary.
• Maintain a quality room arrangement and a clean, organized learning environment in compliance with curriculum standards.
• Provide opportunities for students to demonstrate skills and talents developed in the instructional program, both individually and in large groups.
• Inform parents about daily classroom routines and expectations, and resolve issues or concerns in collaboration with the school counselor.
• Ensure the safety and welfare of all students during admission, dismissal, lunch, and physical education.
• Interact with students, parents, and colleagues in a professional, positive, and inspiring manner.
• Maintain classroom supply lists and inventory.
• Participate in learning teams that maximize cohesion, collaboration, and alignment with school initiatives.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required.
• New York Teaching Assistant Certification required.
• One to two years of student teaching experience in an urban school setting.
• Knowledge of childhood development.
• Demonstrated experience executing planned lessons to meet the differential needs of each child.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills required to develop rubrics, examine data and metrics, and promote student performance.

Reporting to classroom teachers and school administrators, the TK Assistant Teacher shapes learning outcomes for Transitional Kindergarten students by delivering small-group tutoring, targeted interventions, and literacy and math support aligned to Individualized Learning Plans. Partnering with grade-level teams to interpret progress monitoring data, this role drives student achievement through consistent coaching, behavioral guidance, and active collaboration across staff development opportunities.

Primary Duties

• Motivate students to participate in learning activities and maintain high behavioral expectations for all students.
• Create a positive student culture around learning and small-group tutoring.
• Enforce all campus safety rules and behavior expectations to ensure a positive and productive learning environment.
• Tutor small groups of students on literacy and/or math skills using adopted curricula to deliver lessons aligned to students' Individualized Learning Plans.
• Actively coach students and assist struggling students on computer programs, including performing targeted individual interventions.
• Conduct weekly progress monitoring assessments and communicate results to families and classroom teachers.
• Work with grade-level teams to interpret progress monitoring data and make intervention decisions for students.
• Communicate and collaborate with teachers and school administrators, and participate actively in staff development opportunities.

Skills & Qualifications

• Experience managing and/or teaching groups of elementary-age students strongly preferred.
• Ability to efficiently interpret, manage, and utilize multiple sets of data to best support student progress.
• Ability to learn laws, rules, practices, and procedures related to public education.
• Basic computer skills, including troubleshooting and the ability to communicate about technical difficulties.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and work closely with a wide range of staff members.
• Fluency in English required.
• Flexibility and a willingness to learn.

Sitting at the intersection of trauma-informed care and early childhood education, the Assistant Teacher leads the planning and implementation of developmentally appropriate curricula addressing the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual needs of children residing in shelter settings. Operating across child treatment reviews, case conferences, and program staff meetings, this role enables families experiencing homelessness to access supportive, evidence-based educational experiences for their children.

Duties

• Participate in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate curricula encompassing the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual needs of children.
• Conduct age-appropriate developmental assessments once an assigned child settles in the shelter.
• Ensure a safe, healthy, culturally diverse, and attractive classroom environment.
• Communicate regularly with parents about the needs of their children and engage parents in classroom activities.
• Apply evidence-based practices, including Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Informed Care, critical time intervention, and boundary setting, to help clients achieve their goals.
• Attend program staff meetings, child treatment reviews, case conferences, and supervisory sessions.
• Attend child care-related trainings, both onsite and offsite.

Requirements

• Associate's degree or Teacher's Assistant Certification required.
• Knowledge and skill relating to planning activities for infants and preschool children.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to the needs of homeless or at-risk families.
• Ability to interact in a supportive and nurturing manner with children and parents.
• Excellent organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus.

A key member of a family services program team, the Assistant Teacher delivers classroom support and child guidance while assisting with lesson planning, transportation, and parent education classes approximately once per week. Collaborating across staff, families, and community stakeholders, this role builds a culturally responsive, trauma-aware environment that enables children and families experiencing crisis to access calm, consistent, and professional care.

Functions

• Assist the teacher with lesson planning, class instruction, and child guidance.
• Assist with diapering, toileting, serving meals, and setting up and cleaning the classroom.
• Assist with the transportation of children as needed and with childcare for parent education classes approximately once per week.
• Maintain open, positive communication and promote individual and group problem-solving skills with children, families, co-workers, and the community.
• Model and encourage direct, professional communication among staff members and facilitate development of a positive staff support network.
• Demonstrate awareness and sensitivity in the delivery of client services as they relate to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the populations served.
• Provide a calm demeanor in crises.

Experience & Qualifications

• Strict adherence to HIPAA standards required to ensure client confidentiality.
• Excellent written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills.
• Ability to adapt and work effectively under pressure, including with children who have a variety of stresses and challenges.
• Ability to work with parents and children in a warm, calm, respectful, encouraging, and patient manner.
• Ability to work effectively with data and computer systems, both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work in a multicultural setting.

Consistent daily routines and a well-organized learning environment depend on the Assistant Teacher, who delivers hands-on care, curriculum development, and progress tracking for preschool-aged children throughout each day. Based within a PreK program, this role enables children's growth by preparing meals and snacks, organizing developmentally appropriate activities, and maintaining regular contact with parents and guardians.

Accountabilities

• Ensure children maintain good hygiene and change diapers as necessary.
• Prepare meals and snacks for children.
• Clean interactive areas throughout the day.
• Organize activities and develop curriculum for older children.
• Develop and maintain a daily schedule for children.
• Keep records of each child's progress, interests, and any problems that arise.
• Maintain contact with children's parents and contact them in the case of an emergency.

Technical Qualifications

• Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education required, with a BL license preferred.
• At least one year of preschool experience and child development training.
• Strong verbal communication and listening skills to interact with children, caregivers, and parents or guardians.
• Caring and compassionate attitude when interacting with and caring for children.
• Advanced multitasking and organizational skills to handle multiple children at a time.
• Excellent patience and stamina for keeping up with the demands of children of all ages.

As the Assistant Teacher, this role shapes the delivery of academic instructional programs, classwork, and assessments for students across a multi-grade classroom, ensuring safe supervision and consistent communication with supervisors, teachers, principals, and parents. The program relies on this work to maintain compliance documentation, accurate student records, and timely data entry that meet local, state, and federal agency requirements.

Activities

• Facilitate the implementation of academic instructional programs, classwork, and assessments for students in a multi-grade classroom.
• Supervise students at all times, including escorting them safely to and from classrooms and learning stations.
• Maintain a positive classroom environment and monitor student behavior.
• Maintain consistent communication with supervisors, classroom teachers, principals, and parents.
• Perform data entry in a timely fashion to meet deadlines, including student attendance, communication forms, and compliance documentation.
• Establish and maintain student forms and files as required by local, state, and federal agencies.
• Interact daily with students and staff to complete attendance, program tracking, and reports.
• Maintain confidentiality of co-workers, children, and families.

Position Requirements

• Associate's degree or higher required.
• Classroom, paraprofessional, or teacher aide experience required.
• Teaching or tutoring experience required.
• Experience with ESE students is a plus.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and virtual meeting programs, including Zoom and Teams, preferred.
• Ability to work with various grade levels.
• Climbing stairs and light lifting may be required.