Early Childhood Assistant Teacher

Mancos Valley Dragonfly School; Mancos (CO); On-site; USD 24,796 - 27,552; Part time

Job summary

Mancos Valley Dragonfly School is looking for an Assistant Teacher for the 2026/27 school year. The position involves supporting the Lead Teacher in creating a nurturing and creative classroom environment, preparing snacks, and implementing programs.

The ideal candidate will have experience in Early Childhood education, understand Waldorf Pedagogy, and possess strong communication skills. This role offers flexible hours with a focus on individual child growth and development.

Start date is August 31, 2026, and the position will end on May 23, 2027.

Qualifications

• Experience in an Early Childhood classroom is preferred.
• Willingness to study Waldorf principles with faculty.
• Ability to communicate effectively with parents and colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Lead Teacher in providing a nurturing classroom environment.
• Prepare daily snacks and manage student engagement during activities.
• Plan and implement afternoon programs in collaboration with the team.
• Document observations and maintain communication with parents.
• Participate in faculty meetings and help prepare seasonal events.

Skills

Waldorf teaching experience

Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Ability to work cooperatively

Adaptability to changes

Education

Understanding of Waldorf Pedagogy

Compliance with early childhood teacher requirements

Job description

Assistant Teacher 2026/27

(Waldorf/Lifeways inspired curriculum)

Pay:

$18 to $20 per hour, paid every two weeks

Contract Hours:

Monday through Thursday – This position could be mornings only (8:00am-1:30pm), afternoons only 11:30-4:00pm, or full days (8am-4pm). In the mornings, your role would be Assistant to the morning Lead Teacher. In afternoons (depending on enrollment), your role would transition to leading a rest time routine in the afternoon and facilitate afternoon class activities with the other afternoon Teacher. If a full day, there will be a 30 minute paid break given in the middle of the day. Explained more below.

Required Annual Faculty Orientation and Training is the last two weeks of August.

School year starts Monday, August 31st– ends May 23rd, 2027

Additionally paid outside class time includes biweekly faculty meetings from 4:30 to 6:30 and seasonal school festivals

Role:

• In the morning, support the Lead Teacher as needed to provide a healthy, nurturing, creative and respectful environment for each child, and follow our daily rhythm. This may include specifically assigned tasks and will also require taking initiative when needed. Assisting Lead teacher with behavior management and child engagement during group activities, transitions, and when working with individual children
• Food preparation generally falls to the Assistant teacher, as the Lead holds the class container. Assistant prepares the daily morning snack, and/or afternoon snack of light nibbles. Recipes provided separately.
• In the afternoon, plan, prepare, and implement the Preschool afternoon program in collaboration with the other afternoon teacher (if there is one, depending on enrollment), with oversight and assistance from Preschool Lead Teacher.
• Help create a classroom environment in accordance with school mission and vision, following principles of Waldorf Pedagogy, and maintaining age appropriate environments and materials.
• Foster clear, warm, and welcoming communication with parents and other teachers through daily interactions and meetings at drop off and pick up.
• Support each child’s social, emotional, physical, and academic growth while providing a healthy, nurturing, creative and respectful environment.
• Communicate objective observations of the children to the Morning Lead Teacher. Assist the Lead teacher with written reports, and student documentation and portfolios as needed.
• Document any and all accidents and incidents, communicate these to the Class Teachers and/or parents, and turn in the accident/incident form to the school director.
• Participate in weekly faculty meetings, which are combined with classroom team meetings on Wednesdays.
• Help prepare for school seasonal festivals, events, and celebrations.
• Maintain a tidy classroom: Support the daily classroom flow and rhythm by keeping the room tidy, preparing snacks, and cleaning up after meals. Afternoon Teachers are expected to tidy up the classroom at the end of the day, including cleaning the classroom and bathroom. Leave the classroom ready for school the following morning, and the Teacher may be asked to help set up the classroom for the next day’s activities.

Desired Qualifications include:

• Waldorf teaching experience ideal, otherwise Early Childhood classroom experience
• Understanding of Waldorf Pedagogy, and willingness to study and learn with our faculty
• Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues and parents
• Reliability and consistency
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Adaptability to changes
• Possess a warm, friendly, joyous demeanor
• Ability to take initiative
• Compliance with all early childhood teacher requirements and licensing regulations, including a Level I ECPC 3.0.