Assistant Teacher: Lacey, WA (starting July 2025)

Bezos Academy; Lacey (WA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Bezos Academy is seeking an Assistant Teacher to support the development of children aged 3-5 in a Montessori environment. This full-time position offers competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including a $2,000 sign-on bonus. The ideal candidate has a strong commitment to early childhood education and working with diverse communities.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with employer contribution match

Paid parental leave

Flexible spending account for dependent care

32 paid days of scheduled breaks

3 paid days of personal time off

7 paid days of sick time

10 paid holidays

Qualifications

• Experience as an assistant teacher or aide preferred (2+ years).
• Willing to acquire early childhood education certification upon hire.
• Knowledge of Montessori pedagogy is valued.

Responsibilities

• Assist lead teachers in developing and implementing a child-focused Montessori program.
• Provide individual support to children, fostering self-esteem and discipline.
• Maintain a safe and stimulating classroom environment.

Skills

Experience working with children ages 3-5

Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness

Ability to independently supervise children

Reliability

Education

Washington Early Childhood Education Initial Certificate or equivalent

Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education

Job description

Assistant Teacher: Lacey, WA (starting July 2025)

Lacey, Washington, United States

As an Assistant Teacher for Bezos Academy, you share our passion for early-childhood education and the Montessori method, drawing your energy from working in a child-initiated learning process. Your responsibilities will include assisting Lead Teachers in developing and implementing a program that promotes the cognitive, language, emotional, social, and physical development of each child. Drawing on your previous experience working with young children, you will support lead classroom teachers in high-quality, tuition-free, Montessori-inspired programs in our growing network of preschools in under-resourced communities.

We anticipate a start date of July 15, 2025.

SCHEDULES, BENEFITS, AND COMPENSATION

• School schedules vary depending on community needs but generally range from 8am-5:30pm, with teachers staggered across these hours with varying start and end times totaling no more than 8 hours per day. Your specific schedule will be determined with your school leader when considering all staff, classroom, and community needs.
• This is a full-time (40 hours per week), benefits-eligible, non-exempt/hourly position.
• Compensation for this position for the 2025-26 school year is$26-$36 per hour (~$54,000- $75,000 annually).The upper third of the compensation range is typically reserved for existing employees who have been in the role for multiple years and demonstrate strong performance over time. Starting compensation will vary by qualifications and prior experience.
• This role includes 32 paid days of scheduled breaks, 3 paid days of personal time off, 7 paid days of sick (care) time, 10 paid holidays, and additional time off if required by applicable law. Benefits for this role include medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, a 401(k) plan with a 4% employer contribution match, paid parental leave, an employer-matched flexible spending account for dependent care, and more. Please see here for details.
• This position offers a $2,000 sign-on bonus ($1,000 on first paycheck and $1,000 after 90 days).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working with children ages 3-5
• Washington Early Childhood Education Initial Certificate or equivalent (Child Development Associate or 12 aligned credit hours) OR willingness to acquire this certification immediately upon hire
• Experience working across lines of difference and strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness
• Ability to independently supervise, communicate effectively with, and care for young children safely, including ability to lift a minimum of 40 lbs
• Access to reliable transportation to and from work to ensure timely, effective instruction and toensure proper staff-to-child classroom ratios

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Two or more years of experience as an assistant teacher or aide in a preschool
• Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education or two years of post-secondary coursework in Early Childhood Education that meet Washington State Core Competencies for Early Care and Educational Professionals
• Experience with Montessori pedagogy
• Experience with children with special needs

RESPONSIBILITIES

*NOTE: The combination of responsibilities may vary based on the needs of the school site, students, and prior experiences of the Assistant Teacher.

Instructional

• Work cohesively with the lead teacher’s plans to prepare and deliver instructional activities that facilitate active Montessori learning experiences. Over time, lead some classroom instructional activities, such as group time or transitions
• Support lead teacher with planning Montessori learning activities
• Depending on experience and instructional readiness, give individual Montessori lessons to students in coordination with the lead teacher
• Assist in guiding every child through self-directed activities, allowing them to develop at his or her own pace
• Along with lead teachers, foster a nurturing, safe, and stimulating, non-competitive environment
• Assist teachers in maintaining records on each child’s progress and development
• Observe each child daily to assess skills, interests, and needs and use this information to facilitate learning and growth

Operational

• Assist teachers with the full implementation of Bezos Academy’s performance standards, policies, and procedures
• Support Bezos Academy classrooms by following regulations and guidelines in the day-to-day operation of the classroom (i.e., cleaning materials, meal prep, nap time transitions, etc.)
• Prepare and maintain a well-organized, safe, and attractive classroom environment conducive to the optimal growth and development of children
• Organize materials and clean the workspace to facilitate the learning process for each child
• Support children’s increasing independence with daily living skills (i.e., washing hands, using the bathroom, eating meals and snacks, cleaning up, etc.)

Individual student support

• Develop a positive relationship with each child and promote the development of self-esteem and self-discipline
• Provide 1:1 support for children who are experiencing big feelings
• Provide 1:1 support for children who are at risk for developmental delays

Other

• Participate in team meetings, center activities, and staff development
• Assist lead teachers in conducting staff/family conferences
• Establish a positive relationship with each child’s family and share information about the child’s day at the preschool
• Assume postures at low levels (e.g. kneeling, stooping, bending, and sitting on the floor) as needed to communicate effectively with children

Bezos Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Bezos Academy participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with employee Form I-9 Information to confirm authorization to work in the U.S. Bezos Academy only uses E-Verify once a candidate has accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. If E-Verify cannot confirm that an employee is authorized to work, Bezos Academy will give the employee written instructions and an opportunity to contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so the employee can begin to resolve the issue before any adverse employment action is taken. For more information about your right to work, please see the Notice of Right to Work.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you are in need of an accommodation to participate in the application process, please reach out [e-mail] . We will work with you to ensure you have a fair opportunity to apply for our open positions.

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