Assistant Preschool Teacher

Hawai'i Association Of Independent Schools; East Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 36,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu is seeking an Assistant Preschool Teacher to support a Reggio Emilia–inspired program, provide daily care, and document children's learning as part of collaborative team work. You will help create engaging experiences that foster independence, creativity, and belonging while aligning with the school’s progressive education approach.

The role involves maintaining a safe classroom, collaborating with Preschool and Elementary staff, and participating in ongoing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field.
• Two or more years of experience with young children in early childhood settings.
• Experience in Reggio Emilia–inspired or inquiry-based learning environments.

Responsibilities

• Share responsibility with the Preschool team for the active supervision, safety, care, and well-being of all children.
• Maintain an emotionally and physically safe learning environment. This applies to the classroom setting, outdoors, and the play structure.
• Work collaboratively with the Preschool Teachers, Pedagogista, and Atelierista to support the documentation of children's learning in the following ways: collect video, digital stills, audio, and actual student work; contribute to the analysis of documentation; transcribe audio from class discussions; organize and photocopy student work; assist in planning and creating documentation panels and public displays; manage digital equipment and files.
• Collaborate with the Preschool Teachers and Pedagogista in preparing and maintaining the learning environment so that it is ready prior to the children's arrival; include cleaning and sanitation of materials and maintaining the classroom aesthetic.
• Work collaboratively with the preschool and elementary faculty on the educational program, school initiatives, special events, and ad-hoc committees.
• Participate in all professional learning opportunities relevant to the Reggio Approach, inquiry learning, and schoolwide initiatives.
• Perform various school and instructional tasks assigned by the Preschool and Elementary School Principal.
• Establish and maintain a cooperative and collaborative professional relationship with students, parents, colleagues, and administration.
• Participate in the development of a safe and healthy workplace.
• Comply with instructions for safety and health; report injuries or hazards to supervisors and HR.
• Maintain regular attendance and provide supervision and support to students during the school day.

Skills

Team collaboration

Parent communication

Documentation

Mac proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field

Tools

IOS

Excel

Job description

SALARY RANGE : $35,509 – $74,660 annually, based on degree and student contact hours

JOB SUMMARY

At Mid-Pacific, our preschool program is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education, which views children as capable, curious, and active participants in their own learning. We believe children learn through relationships, exploration, inquiry, and meaningful interactions with their environment. Our educators work collaboratively to create engaging learning experiences that build upon children's interests, questions, and ideas. Through careful observation, documentation, and reflection, teachers and assistant teachers support each child's growth while fostering independence, creativity, and a strong sense of belonging. We value the environment as a third teacher and recognize the many ways children express their thinking, communicate, and make meaning of the world around them.

The Assistant Preschool Teacher works collaboratively with the Preschool Teachers, Pedagogista, Atelierista, and other members of the Preschool team to support Mid-Pacific's Reggio Emilia–inspired approach to early childhood education. The position includes the daily care and supervision of children, supporting developmentally appropriate learning experiences, documenting children's learning, maintaining a safe and engaging learning environment, and contributing to the collaborative work of the Preschool team.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Share responsibility with the Preschool team for the active supervision, safety, care, and well-being of all children.
• Maintain an emotionally and physically safe learning environment. This applies to the classroom setting, outdoors, and the play structure.
• Work collaboratively with the Preschool Teachers, Pedagogista, and Atelierista to support the documentation of children's learning in the following ways:
  • Collect video, digital stills, audio, and actual student work;
  • Contribute to the analysis of documentation;
  • Transcribe audio from class discussions, small group interactions, and one‑on‑one student discussions with a teacher;
  • Organize and photocopy student work for documentation purposes;
  • Assist in the planning and creation of documentation panels, photo galleries on the school website, and other public displays
  • Manage digital equipment used for documentation, including cameras, audio and video recorders, laptops, and tablets, ensuring equipment is ready for daily use and digital files are appropriately organized.
  • Collaborate with the Preschool Teachers and Pedagogista in preparing and maintaining the learning environment so that it is ready prior to the children's arrival, including the appropriate cleaning and sanitation of materials and maintaining the aesthetic quality of the classroom.
  • Work collaboratively with the preschool and elementary faculty on the educational program, school initiatives, special events, and ad‑hoc committees.
  • Participate in all professional learning opportunities relevant to the Reggio Approach, inquiry learning, and schoolwide initiatives.
  • Perform various school and instructional tasks assigned by the Preschool and Elementary School Principal.
  • Establish and maintain a cooperative and collaborative professional relationship with students, parents, colleagues, and administration.
  • Participate in the development of a safe and healthy workplace.
  • Comply with the instructions given for their own safety and health and that of others, in adhering to safe work procedures.
  • Take reasonable care to ensure their own safety and health and that of others.
  • Report any injury, hazard, or illness immediately to their Supervisor and Human Resources.
  • Not place others at risk by any act or omission, and not willfully or recklessly interfere with safety equipment.
  • Regular and predictable attendance at work.
  • Provide supervision and support to students during the school day.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education with a specialization in early childhood, Child Development, Special Education, Family Resources, or a related field. Two or more years of experience working with young children in an early childhood setting is preferred. Experience in a Reggio Emilia–inspired or inquiry-based learning environment is highly valued. Experience working within a collaborative environment is preferred.

Must possess and be able to apply his/her knowledge and understanding of progressive education concepts as they relate to preschool and elementary students and incorporate 21st-century skills and concepts into daily interactions with young children. Must understand the developmental phases (physical, cognitive, social, emotional) of young children and have experience communicating with parents to resolve student concerns. Must be computer proficient with various programs (e.g., IOS, Excel, apps). Mid-Pacific has a Mac-driven platform.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Mid-Pacific Institute provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, marital status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.