Assistant Preschool Teacher

Mid-Pacific Institute; Hawaii; On-site; USD 36,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Mid-Pacific Institute invites applicants for an Assistant Preschool Teacher role to support the Reggio Emilia–inspired preschool program. You will collaborate with Preschool Teachers, Pedagogista, Atelierista, and the Preschool team to provide daily care, developmentally appropriate experiences, and thorough documentation of children's learning.

The position emphasizes maintaining a safe, engaging classroom, supporting environmental exploration, and contributing to a team focused on student

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education (with focus on early childhood), Child Development, Special Education, Family Resources, or related field.
• Experience with young children in an early childhood setting is preferred.
• Must possess knowledge of progressive education concepts and 21st‑century skills.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and care for all children with Preschool team to ensure safety and well‑being.
• Maintain a safe learning environment in classroom and outdoor spaces.
• Collaborate with Preschool Teachers, Pedagogista, and Atelierista to document children's learning.
• Assist in planning, developing, and maintaining documentation panels and public displays.
• Prepare and maintain a conducive learning environment prior to children's arrival.

Job description

Become apart of a community of dedicated individuals.

At Mid-Pacific, our employees are one of our greatest strengths. Our goal is to recruit and retain the most qualified individuals based on how their experience and skills mesh with the school’s mission and vision. Mid-Pacific employees are progressive, innovative and always place student needs first.

Mid-Pacific recognizes that in order to prepare our students for a rapidly changing world, our employeesmust reflect specific skills and practices required for this century: an ethical approach to collaboration and communication, critical thinking and problem solving, and assessing and analyzing information. These necessary skills are equally matched by the need to adopt creativity and imagination, entrepreneurship, and cross-cultural approaches to our everyday interactions. The exceptional faculty and staff at Mid-Pacific help our students realize their full potential as innovators, artists, and individuals.

Interested in applying?If so, we invite you to apply to join the Mid-Pacific‘ohana.

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

include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• 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.

SCHOOL SAFETY

• 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, not willfully or recklessly interfere with safety equipment.
• Act as a role model by demonstrating safe work behaviors.
• Identify, assess if necessary, and control hazards within area of responsibility.
• Ensure that equipment/supplies are properly maintained.
• Maintain relevant knowledge of safety laws.
• Mandatory reporting of sexual abuse to law enforcement or child protective services, and Human Resources. Sexual abuse includes child molestation, any actual or alleged illegal or otherwise wrongful sexual conduct with a minor, and serial sexual misconduct, any actual or alleged illegal or otherwise wrongful sexual conduct with more than one victim; and committed by or alleged to have been committed by any perpetrator who is not a student of an included entity.

TEACHER PROFILE

• Fostering Effective Relationships: The Teacher builds positive working relationships with the classroom, school, and local community.
• Establishing an Inclusive Learning Environment: The Teacher creates a safe, caring environment that is inclusive of and engaging for all learners.
• Demonstrating a Professional Body of Knowledge: The Techer shows an understanding of content knowledge and an appreciation for ongoing learning in the discipline.
• Validating a Professional Pedagogy: The Teacher ensures that every student is provided quality and optimum learning experiences.
• Inspiring Instructional Leadership: The Teacher models practices that support evidence-informed teaching and learning and motivates and inspires others to excellence.

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.

WORK SCHEDULE

This position involves a 10‑month commitment, following the academic calendar from August through May. Work hours are Monday through Friday, totaling 37.5 hours per week. Assistant teachers will work a combination of early shifts (7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.) and late shifts (9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.). The weekly schedule will be established based on classroom coverage and program needs. This schedule excludes holidays and non‑instructional days.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, write, analyze, and interpret documents such as educational research, reports, and policies. A qualified person will possess the ability to write educational reports, memos, and letters, and communicate effectively when speaking to students and adult audiences, via email and other tech‑based forms of communication. Knowledge of and ability to apply conventional English usage, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The preschool/elementary campus consists of multiple buildings that require frequent walking on relatively level ground. The employee on a daily basis is required to walk to classrooms, the play court, baseball field, and other buildings located at the preschool/elementary. Some lifting and carrying of children, teaching materials, chairs, and tables up to 10 pounds; movement throughout the day for instruction and supervision of students; frequent bending; frequent reaching for materials, the phone, etc. Some climbing of stairs (daily); walking up a slight hill (daily). Sitting in a normal seated position in a chair or on the floor for extended periods of time, reaching by extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction. Finger dexterity required manipulating objects with fingers rather than with whole hand(s) or arm(s), for example, using a computer keyboard. It is important to see and hear within normal parameters and possess the ability to move about with little to no difficulty.

MENTAL DEMANDS

On a daily basis, employees must frequently problem solve, make decisions, supervise and manage students, interpret data, speak, write, organize, plan, clearly communicate, and collaborate with colleagues.

EQUIPMENT USE

Telephone, Copier, Projector – occasionally

Computer/laptop/iPad – frequently

WORKING CONDITIONS

Outdoor – if on playground with children

Loud Noise, Cold Temperatures, Rain – occasionally

Hot Temperatures – frequently

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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.

Christie Mukai
Vice President of Human Resources

Cassandra Uyema
Employee Wellness and Engagement Specialist

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Mid-Pacific 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.