K-2 Assistant Teacher

Thaden School is now seeking a Lower School Assistant Teacher. This is an excellent opportunity for a newly graduated teacher or current teacher seeking less responsibility than a Head Teacher position.

Role and Responsibilities 

• Facilitate student learning in core curriculum subjects including mathematics, language arts, science, social studies, and social-emotional learning. 
• Actively support the Lead Teacher in implementing lessons using a variety of teaching techniques and learning structures.
• Assist the Lead Teacher in lesson preparation and execution by co-planning, collecting materials, preparing supplies, and organizing.
• Conduct individual small group and individual learning sessions as requested by the Lead Teacher.
• Contribute to a classroom environment that facilitates the social-emotional development of each student. 
• Support students in achieving their full potential of development and growth through observation of student behavior and needs and consult with the school counselor and learning support staff.
• Assume the role of the Lead Teacher in the absence of the Lead Teacher.
• Attend in-service days and faculty meetings as requested by the Head of Lower School.
• Perform duties outside the classroom during set hours (this includes recess, reception desk, carpool and/or lunch duties).
• Collaborate with grade-level colleagues, as well as work closely with other Lower School faculty around teaching and learning. 
• Effectively interact with a diverse population of students, families, faculty, and staff. 
• Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Model Thaden’s philosophy in working with students, parents, colleagues, and administration.

Skills, Qualifications, and Attributes

• Positive personality and love for children. 
• Interest in and in-depth knowledge about the teaching of early childhood students, including. those from a variety of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Strong interest in the social-emotional needs of early childhood students.
• Highly collaborative and collegial manner.
• Consistent, highly professional behavior, including discretion, judgment, and integrity. 
• Dedicated work ethic: proactive, responsible, reliable, punctual, and attentive to deadlines. 
• Effective time management skills with the ability to manage, organize, and prioritize work. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. 
• High proficiency with teaching and learning technology accompanied by a willingness to learn new technologies. 
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision. 
• Flexibility with the special needs associated with an academic calendar and schedule. 
• Ability to display strong initiative, internal motivation, and a willingness to take on responsibilities beyond those explicitly defined. Committed to professional learning and growth. 
• Undergraduate degree in education or an appropriate content field. 
• Candidate must also complete the required background check.

Physical Requirements

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Frequently required to sit, stand, or walk for extended periods.
• Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms.  
• Ability to lift, push, or pull heavy objects, sometimes exceeding 50 lbs.
• Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions, including heat, humidity, windy conditions, cold, snow, and ice.
• Occasionally required to bend, twist, or climb.  
• Moderate concentration/intensity, which includes prolonged mental effort with limited opportunity for breaks.  
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.