A Preschool or Childcare Teacher works with young children, usually ages 3 - 5, to help them learn the social, motor and language skills needed to be ready for kindergarten and elementary school. Organizes activities and uses play or games to help children learn; develops schedules and routines for children that include exercise and rest. Works in a school or in a childcare center or program.
Early Childhood PT Afternoon Teacher Assistant Job Description Hours:
11:30 am - 5:30 pm, M - F, from mid-August to mid-June Reports to: Lead Teacher, EC Chair Description of Position The afternoon teacher assistant plays a vital role in the day for many children in our early childhood program. Following a morning of daily and weekly activities, the afternoon rhythm allows the children to participate in rest, appropriate activities, and rejuvenating play. The assistant cares for the children who attend in the afternoon under the lead teacher's direction. The lead teacher guides and oversees the assistants' work with the children in the classroom and outdoor space. The assistant demonstrates a keen interest in Waldorf education and a desire to work with a team of experienced early childhood educators. The assistant is organized and self-motivated, connects easily with young children and their families, and embraces outdoor education. This is a part-time, hourly position. The job is five days/week, 11:30 am—3:30, 4:30, or 5:30 pm, from mid-August to mid-June. Additional paid hours may include meetings, festivals, and training. Assistant Teacher Duties Set up the classroom for rest time. Create a warm, inviting classroom environment that fosters a sense of calm and quiet for the children to enter into rest. Work in imitation of the class teacher to model the Waldorf developmental approach. Restore the room to order with the children's assistance after rest. Assist the children with the transition to outdoor snacks and play. Supervise play. Support the social-emotional development of the young child through nurturing relationships, respectful interactions, and modeling behavior. Collaborate with the lead teacher and colleagues to support the well-being of each child. Assist in the children's care and growing independence appropriate to the age group. Clean up the playground and help children prepare for dismissal. Welcome parents at dismissal and assist with sign-out at the gate. Clean up the classroom and common areas in preparation for the next day. Send bedding home for laundering on alternate Fridays. Demonstrate a calm, welcoming, and inclusive presence—model kindness, warmth, and care.
Additional Responsibilities include:
Attend check-in meetings with the lead class teacher weekly or as needed. Attend monthly assistant meetings. Attend monthly full colleague meetings and in-service days when possible. Attend faculty orientation week and the end-of-year workweek. Attend Early Childhood festivals when possible. Participate in professional development workshops as required. Maintain excellent collegial relations. Submit all absence requests to the EC Chair in advance whenever possible. Coordinate with the lead teacher and arrange for a substitute for your absence. Document all accidents and incidents. Undertake playground and other supervision duties as required. Maintain CPR/First Aid Certification and Mandated Reporter Training. Maintain confidentiality about a child or family situation with discretion and tact. Represent EWS professionally and comply with school policies and procedures as outlined in the
A deep interest in child development as seen through the lens of the work of Rudolf Steiner, founder of Waldorf education Patience, empathy, and the ability to establish positive relationships with students, colleagues, and parents Enthusiasm for outdoor learning Flexibility and adaptability to work in a dynamic educational environment Self-motivated, willingness to be a team player, and has a strong sense of personal responsibility
Education & Experience:
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent 1-3 years experience in Early Childhood education, Waldorf preferred
Other:
Able to lift up to 25 lbs Have mobility required to ensure safety of children and to navigate wooded areas and uneven dirt paths Work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions Have visual and hearing capabilities that allow consistent supervision of children Ability to work on-site; position is not eligible for remote/hybrid work Ability to successfully pass and maintain all background checks Ability to successfully attend training for and maintain First Aid & CPR certification To apply, please contact Patricia Cornell at pcornell@emersonwaldorf.org About the Emerson Waldorf School Emerson Waldorf is a dual-accredited, well-established school with a rich program. We are located on a 54-acre wooded campus and farm set on the outskirts of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in the vibrant Research Triangle area. Within this diverse region, our campus is in a small rural and residential area adjacent to the 700-acre Duke Forest nature preserve. Our setting provides a rural atmosphere with the cultural advantages of a city. We serve students from preschool through high school and, in our working together, we actively promote a professional culture of communication, collaboration, and professional and personal development. Emerson Waldorf School has a deep commitment to creating an inclusive community that values diversity and multiculturalism, and we seek candidates who have this same commitment.
