Preschool Assistant Teacher

About us

Mary Meyer School is a small, private, not-for-profit preschool founded in 1943 in a beautiful row home that serves as our school home in the Lakeview community of Chicago. Mary Meyer School’s vision is to inspire children to encounter the world with joy, curiosity and confidence. Our preschool programs hold to the philosophy that children learn through purposeful play. Mary Meyer School offers a play-based program facilitated by teachers who manage the classroom environment to allow the process of play to unfold naturally, permitting the children to grow socially, emotionally and intellectually.

Mary Meyer School

Assistant Teacher

POSITION:

The role of the Mary Meyer School Assistant Teacher is an integral part to a small and committed teaching team who support one another in all tasks and responsibilities regardless of role.

The Assistant Teacher works in a supportive and collaborative environment under the supervision of a head teacher(s) and the Director.

The primary duty is to assist and support the head teacher(s) to ensure the flow of the classroom meets the school’s mission to educate children through purposeful play.

The Assistant Teacher’s first priority is the safety, supervision and social/emotional/physical needs of students. The assistant will be expected to interact with students as they play, serve as a role model and guide, and assist with all student and classroom needs.

All employees of Mary Meyer School are required to maintain confidentiality of all personal information regarding our students and their families.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

· Assist in classroom/schoolhouse set-up prior to children’s arrival

· Adhere to health & safety expectations by assisting in the supervision of children at all times

· Prepare and clean-up snack

· Assist in gathering children’s belongings at the end of the day

· Direct questions regarding children or program to head teacher or Director

· Help prepare/breakdown classroom and outdoor Play Garden prior to children's arrival and upon their departure

· Help prepare materials for special projects including for the Studio Artist

· Clean up after an activity as directed

· Sort and distribute artwork

· Assist head teacher(s) at group and transition times

· Participate in all scheduled staff meetings, in-service training, conferences (as requested), planning meetings, workshops, school functions and meetings as described in the annual school calendar or employee handbook

· Meet all requirements as dictated by Department of Children and Family Services

· Uphold high standards of excellence of the Mary Meyer School program including its mission and vision

· Other duties may include but are not limited to making copies, taking attendance, assisting with toileting/dressing, making play-doh, organizing classroom materials

Hours:

· Full time (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Monday through Friday) unless otherwise dictated by the Mary Meyer School annual calendar/schedule.

NOTE: There are some work expectations that fall outside of the schedule of our regular school day.

· Opportunity for additional hours in the Summer during the Mary Meyer School Summer Camp (June/July, half-day, Monday – Thursday)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

In order to fulfill essential job duties and responsibilities, the teacher must be able to manage physical demands of work in the classroom or outside in recreational areas – everything from setting up the classroom and moving furniture to art activities requiring fine motor skills. The teacher can expect the noise in the work environment to frequently be moderate or loud. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

The teacher must be able to:

· Stand and walk for long periods

· Lift up to 50 pounds

· Crouch, kneel, stoop or crawl with ease

· Be mobile and have good dexterity with arms and hands

· Engage in moderate physical activity as part of routine, daily play-based instruction (including activities such as dancing, running and jumping)

· Maintain moderate-to-good vision, sight and hearing and strong verbal and written communication skills

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

Ideal candidates will have:

· Bachelor’s Degree in the field of education

· Experience working with young children in a preschool setting

· Coursework in Early Childhood Education or related field

· Comfortable working with and communicating to a diverse group of families

The ideal candidate will/is:

· Possess a love for young children

· Full of kindness

· Energetic and with a positive energy

· Flexible in their role

· Open to taking direction from head teacher(s) and Director

· Eager

· Intuitive

· Respectful

· Willing to contribute to the team and program as needed

· Open to opportunities for growth

· Committed to the growth and development of young children

Mary Meyer School is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Mary Meyer School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $30,000.00 - $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Grade levels:

• Pre-Kindergarten

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

School type:

• Private school

Ability to Relocate:

• Chicago, IL 60657: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person