Position: Part-time Early Childhood Assistant Teacher
Tier 3B
General Description of Position
The Early Childhood assistant supports the lead teacher in the day-to-day activities in the classroom, including supervision of children, snack and activity preparation, clean up, among other duties.
Duration: school year from September through June; plus Faculty Work Days
Work Hours: 7:45am-2:00 pm except on meeting days (generally Thursday afternoons + one other afternoon for meeting with Lead Teacher); ”hands-on” with children from 8:00 am-1:45 pm
Responsibility
- Class size: approximately 10 – 16 children with one Lead Teacher and one Assistant
- Share in care of children with Lead Teacher
- Prepare daily snack
- Maintain supplies of snack foods and other household supplies
- Prepare shopping lists for shopper
- Clean up classroom after activities
- Participate in circle time
- Accompany class on field trips
- Participate in all-school Open House once per year
- Attend first class meeting of the year and others as possible
- Check school email daily
- Check phone messages each morning in case of colleague emergencies
- Summer responsibilities
- Attend Graduation in June
- Attend orientation tea the day before school starts
- Attend faculty work days in June and August
- Attend staff orientation meetings at each campus (logistics, playground boundaries, etc.)
- Assist Lead Teacher with set-up of classroom (during Faculty Work days in August)
Accountability
Conference/professional development requirement:
- Professional Development: All assistant teachers will determine professional goals and professional development plans for the year based on gaps in their study of Waldorf pedagogy. It is recommended that all teachers in the Early Childhood department be on a gradual path toward attaining a certification in Waldorf Early Childhood education.
- Conferences: Assistants are encouraged to attend the annual WECAN conference in February or the regional WECAN conferences; some funding may be available.
- Certifications:
- Red Cross/CPR First Aid certification (classes are usually offered during Faculty Work Days)
- Assistants should read the Minimum Standards for Day Care Centers (available online and in our files)
Periodic evaluations and observations:
- First and second year Assistants are evaluated by the CWS Professional Development Committee.
- Faculty members are encouraged to spend a day in another class doing a peer observation.
Guidelines for faculty conduct and responsibility:
–are described in the CWS Faculty Handbook. These should be reviewed by applicants before employment is accepted.
Education and Experience Requirements
- Required: high school diploma; related college-level course work preferred
- Highly desirable: Waldorf early childhood training certificate, or willingness to develop a plan for study of Waldorf early childhood pedagogy
- Required: Related work with children, preferably in a classroom setting
- Required: Study of Waldorf pedagogy
- Required: Work with group process
Qualities, knowledge, and skills
- Works well with children
- Good communication skills
- Calm, gentle manner
- Well-organized, efficient
- Works cooperatively in groups
- Proficiency in handwork (knitting, sewing, etc.) preferred
- Musical ability, especially singing
- Reliability and punctuality is a MUST
- Willingness to work out of Anthroposophy
Belongs to:
Early Childhood department, Full Faculty
Attends:
Meeting times to be announced at beginning of each school year
- Full Faculty
- Committee meetings: full-time assistants are asked to participate on one faculty committee. Part-time assistants are invited to participate, but not required.
- Planning meeting with Lead Teacher
- Early Childhood department meeting: sharing, handwork, study and marionette work (see below)
Remuneration
Wage/Salary: Part-time (5 day) Assistants receive base salary of $21,700 plus applicable increments, based on certification, degrees and experience. Part-time (3-day or 2-day) assistant’s salary is prorated. Specific amounts should be discussed with the school’s Business Manager.
Benefits for part-time 5-day Assistants:
- Leave/sick days: 6 days
- Tuition reduction: Part- time 5-day Assistants receive 50% remission for one child; part-time (3 or 2 day) Assistants receive prorated remission. Remission increases by 10% for each year of employment at CWS.
CWS offers a comprehensive and supportive mentoring program for all of its new teachers and administrators and is an equal opportunity employer. We do not exclude anyone on the basis of race, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, or sexual orientation.