About the

Role:

We are looking for a Teaching Assistant who understands that the heart of teaching is interaction. You will be a key part of our 4-5 year-old classroom, supporting The Creative Curriculum® and ensuring every child feels seen, heard, and challenged. We need an educator who is comfortable leading small groups and can maintain a high-quality learning environment independently when the Lead Teacher is away. The ideal candidate loves children, has at least two years of experience in a PK3 or PK4 classroom, and excellent positive behavior management skills.

Key Responsibilities:

Intentional Interactions

• Build strong, supportive relationships with students by being physically present and emotionally responsive (kneeling to their level, following their lead, and showing genuine interest). Language & Thinking
• Facilitate rich conversations with children. You should be comfortable asking "how" and "why" questions to expand their thinking during play and small group studies. Curriculum Leadership
• Confidently implement Creative Curriculum activities, ensuring that interest areas are engaging and that the daily schedule remains consistent and productive. Proactive Guidance
• Manage the classroom with a focus on "redirection" rather than "discipline," anticipating children's needs to prevent frustration before it starts. Safety & Compliance
• Maintain unwavering sight and sound supervision, adhering to all Virginia licensing standards. Physical Requirements Active Engagement
• Must be able to move consistently throughout the day; sitting for long periods is not a primary part of this role. Physical Agility
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, and sit on the floor to interact with children at their eye level (consistent with CLASS interaction standards). Lifting & Carrying
• Ability to lift up to 35-50 lbs (in case of child injury or emergency evacuation). Environment
• Must be able to supervise children outdoors in various weather conditions for extended periods. Reaction Time
• Must be quickness to respond immediately to a safety or medical emergency.

What We're Looking For:

A teacher who stays "in the mix" with children rather than observing from a distance. Someone who can turn a simple block-tower collapse into a problem-solving lesson. An educator who truly loves young children, helping them make social and academic connections; who can play pretend while also ensure safety and supervision.

Priority Consideration Given To:

A teacher with their CDA A teacher who already posses the following certificates: Virginia 10-hour pre-service Training or the two replacement courses (Virginia Child Care Foundations for Health and Safety; Virginia Preservice Health and Safety Training Birth-5); Health Screening for Child Care Professionals, and a recent certificate for Virginia Child Abuse Training for Educators A candidate who is able to complete all licensing requirements and onboarding tasks quickly so they can begin classroom training

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$18.00

• $24.

00 per hour

Benefits:

401(k) Employee discount Health insurance Paid time off Professional development assistance

Experience:

Preschool:

2 years (Required) Ability to

Commute:

Arlington, VA 22207 (Required) Ability to

Relocate:

Arlington, VA 22207: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location:

In person