Associate Teacher - Preschool/PreK, Fisher Early Learning Center

University of Denver; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 41,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

The Fisher Early Learning Center at the University of Denver’s Morgridge College of Education seeks an Associate Teacher to support inclusive classrooms for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. You will assist in developing the environment, implementing curricula, and helping communicate with families.

Ideal candidates hold an associate degree in ECE, an ECPD credential, and 1+ year of experience; you should be team-oriented, organized, and able to lift up to 50 lbs.

Qualifications

• Associates degree or equivalent credits in ECE, Elementary Education, Special Education, Family and Child Development or Child Psychology.
• Early Childhood Professional Credential ECPD 3.0 through Colorado PDIS immediately following hire
• One (1) or more years of experience working with children.
• Willingness to work with children in an inclusive environment.
• Ability to push, pull, or lift 50 lbs.
• Two (2) or more years of classroom experience in a NA EYC accredited early childhood group setting.

Responsibilities

• Assist the teaching team in planning, organizing, implementing, and delivering program services aligned with the center’s mission and philosophy.
• Support the development and implementation of classroom curriculum and individualized learning plans for children.
• Assist with family communication to support each child’s development and learning experience.
• Lead classroom activities, curriculum implementation, and family communication in the absence of the Lead Teacher.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to create a supportive, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Problem solving

Organization

Multitasking

Digital literacy

Child engagement

Flexibility

Education

Associate degree in ECE or related field

Bachelor's degree in ECE (preferred)

Job description

The Fisher Early Learning Center is one of the most distinctive early childhood learning centers in Colorado. As a part of the Morgridge College of Education at the University of Denver, we are uniquely positioned to provide a warm and loving environment that is specifically designed to deliver cutting-edge and evidence-based programming for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children.

Position Summary

The Associate Teacher is a critical team member for the inclusive classroom. The Associate Teacher will assist in the development and implementation of the classroom environment in the facilitation of the cognitive, social-emotional, physical, language, and communication development of the children within the program.

Essential Functions

• Assist the teaching team in planning, organizing, implementing, and delivering program services aligned with the center’s mission and philosophy.
• Support the development and implementation of classroom curriculum and individualized learning plans for children.
• Assist with family communication to support each child’s development and learning experience.
• Lead classroom activities, curriculum implementation, and family communication in the absence of the Lead Teacher.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to create a supportive, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Ability to problem solve
• Ability to prioritize and multitask
• Strong attention to detail
• Strong time management ability
• Strong ability to work on a team
• Ability to work with many different types of people
• Organized and flexible
• Digital literacy skills
• Ability to creatively think about activities that would interest children
• Professionalism

Required Qualifications

• Associates degree or equivalent credits in ECE, Elementary Education, Special Education, Family and Child Development or Child Psychology.
• Early Childhood Professional Credential ECPD 3.0 through Colorado PDIS (Professional Development Informational System) immediately following hire
• One (1) or more years of experience working with children.
• Willingness to work with children in an inclusive environment.
• Ability to push, pull, or lift 50 lbs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in ECE or related field.
• Early Childhood Professional Credential ECPD 3.0 through Colorado PDIS (Professional Development Informational System)
• Two (2) or more years of classroom experience in a NAEYC accredited early childhood group setting.
• Knowledge and experience working with children who have special needs.
• Experience working with children in an inclusive environment.

Working Environment

• Standard early learning center/school environment.
• Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

• Ability to get up and down from the floor for an extended period.
• The ability to go on walks with a small group of students that could exceed over 20 minutes at a time.
• Ability to push and pull a wagon or stroller with 4-6 children.
• Ability to do light cleaning activities like washing dishes, sweeping, mopping, wiping down tables, walls, furniture, etc.
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.

Work Schedule

Approximately 8 hours/day, Monday - Friday, between the hours of 7:45am-5:15pm. Evening and weekends as required.

Application Deadline

4:00pm (MST) December 18, 2026.

Salary Grade Number

The salary grade for the position is 6.

Salary

The salary rate for this position is $46,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits

The University of Denver offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights (“POWR”) Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

Background Check Statement

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history and National Sex Offender Registry background check.