Early Childhood Teaching Assistant

Portledge School; Locust Valley (NY); On-site; USD 19,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Portledge School in Locust Valley, NY, seeks a part-time Early Childhood Teaching Assistant for the 2026-2027 school year. The role supports the classroom teacher and students, participates in team planning, and attends professional learning communities. Ideal candidates demonstrate a passion for teaching, collaboration, and educational growth.

The position emphasizes instructional quality, mentorship, and a commitment to serving young learners with care across a warm, inclusive school community.

Qualifications

• BA degree minimum; elementary education preferred.
• Teaching certification preferred; required for all elementary teaching positions.

Responsibilities

• Support the classroom teacher and students in Early Childhood.
• Deliver high-quality instruction, mentoring and teaching to students.
• Participate in collaborative planning and ongoing professional development and a professional learning community.
• Stay current with educational research and pedagogy related to classroom instruction.
• Report to the Director of Early Childhood.

Skills

Collaborative planning

Professional development

Metacognitive strategies

Effective feedback

Education

BA degree

Teaching certification (preferred/required)

Tools

Google Docs

Google Drive

Google Slides

Job description

Portledge School was founded in 1965 and is located on the beautiful North Shore of Long Island. Approximately fifty minutes (28 miles) from NYC by train, Portledge is nestled on a pastoral 63-acre tree-lined campus that is known for its cherry blossoms in spring. Enrolling approximately 525 students in grades PN-12, Portledge offers a competitive college preparatory program in a warm, inclusive community. We seek to inspire our students to realize their individual potential by developing critical thinking skills and moral courage necessary for lifelong learning in an increasingly complex world. Portledge is fully committed to being an anti-racist school and to cultivating a culturally diverse faculty and student body.

Job Description/Responsibilities:

• Portledge School is accepting applications for a part-time teaching assistant in Early Childhood for the 2026-2027 school year. This position would support the classroom teacher and students and participate in team meetings and planning as appropriate. The Early Childhood Teaching Assistant will report to the Director of Early Childhood.
• Our faculty work in a warm, collaborative environment...
• Delivering consistent high-quality instruction, mentoring and teaching to students
• Participating in collaborative planning and ongoing professional development and a professional learning community
• Staying current with current educational research and pedagogy related to classroom instruction and educational trends
• They are
• Lifelong, intellectual learners who have a passion for teaching and mentoring children
• Interested in and committed to teaching subject matter from multiple cultural perspectives
• Clear about instructional goals
• Knowledgeable about content
• Clear communicators with their students about what is expected of them and why
• Knowledgeable about their students
• Willing to teach students metacognitive strategies
• Prepared to offer effective feedback
• Excited about and responsible for student outcomes

Qualifications:

• BA Degree minimum; degree preferred in relevant area(s).
• Teaching certification preferred; required for all elementary teaching positions.
• Ability to walk and stand continuously for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift up to 30lbs periodically.
• Experience working with young children is preferred.
• Ability to develop trusting, supportive relationships with students.
• Willingness to assist with diaper changing, potty training, mealtimes, and outdoor play.
• A commitment to the qualities embodied by the Portledge pillars: Kindness, Purpose, Honor, Respect.
• Desire to nurture the whole child and to support students by attending school events such as art, music, theater, athletics and community functions.
• Commitment to excellence and to professional and personal growth.
• Familiarity with and ability to use Google docs, drive and slides as both a professional collaboration tool and an integrated instructional tool in the classroom.