Lower School Assistant Teacher 20252026 SY

The Co-op School; New York (NY); On-site; USD 37,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established educational institution seeks dedicated Assistant Teachers to inspire and nurture young minds. This role involves collaborating with lead teachers to create a supportive and engaging learning environment, ensuring that each child's unique strengths are honored. Candidates will have the opportunity to participate in curriculum planning and execute their own units of study. The school values a passion for education and a positive attitude, making it an ideal place for those who want to make a meaningful impact in children's lives. Join a community that fosters creativity and curiosity!

Qualifications

• 2-3 years experience working with children in a school setting.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree required in relevant fields.

Responsibilities

• Assist in maintaining classroom materials and preparing lessons.
• Support lead teacher in instructional planning and student engagement.

Skills

Passion for working with children

Classroom management

Instructional planning

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education

Master's degree in Education

Job description

The Co-op School was founded in 2003 by a group of parents who saw the need for a high-quality and affordable preschool option in the Clinton Hill and Fort Greene neighborhoods. Since then, the Co-op School has matured from a small, parent-run playgroup to a fully staffed and licensed non-profit school.

After residing in two prior homes in Clinton Hill, The Co-op School moved into 87 Irving Place in the fall of 2009. In 2011, The Co-op School launched the first kindergarten class of its elementary program at 40 Brevoort Place. In 2019, we opened our doors at 644 Gates Avenue in the Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood—in a 3,500-square-foot building with a double-height gym, a rooftop library, and two playgrounds—housing our preschool, lower school, and middle school students under one roof.

OUR MISSION

The mission of The Co-op School is to inspire passion and teach children to become protagonists in their own educational journey by fostering their innate sense of curiosity and creativity. The Co-op School facilitates joyful learning through a unique and rigorous constructivist approach that listens to and honors the individual interests and strengths of each child. The Co-op School doesn’t just belong to the students and educators but extends to the family community as a whole. It belongs to those who participate in it and is a more resilient and creative place because of it.

JOB SUMMARY

Assistant Teachers share with the Head Teacher the task of maintaining and organizing materials and preparing for the week's lessons. Assistant Teachers also spend a great deal of time helping their students with classwork and projects, as well as facilitating social interactions between students. All Assistants have opportunities to teach small and large group lessons alone or with the assistance of the Head Teacher. Assistants partake in the planning of the curriculum for the week or the month and have the opportunity to plan and execute their own unit of study at some point during the year. While communicating with parents and guardians via email, telephone, or in person is usually the responsibility of the Head Teacher, they should also be included in family communication. Assistants participate in parent conferences and contribute to the writing of student reports. Assistant Teachers attend staff meetings, curriculum nights, teacher meetings, and planning after school one hour a week.

Responsibilities (in collaboration with the lead teacher):

Instructional Planning, Preparation, & Communication

Working with the Division Head and Teachers to ensure The Co-op School’s mission and values are upheld inside and outside the classroom

Working with the Division Head and Teachers to ensure that The Co-op School maintains a healthy and safe environment in which the children can learn, play, and grow

Assisting in fostering an open forum of communication between the staff and Co-op parents and guardians

Working with the Administration and Teachers to ensure that all families and children are warmly greeted during drop-off and pick-up times

Implementing an age-appropriate curriculum that embodies social-emotional learning, inquiry-based social studies, literacy, and math skills

Assisting Lead Teachers in prepping, implementing, and planning lessons

Updating displays of current projects around the classroom

Working collaboratively with the Lead teacher to provide student observations

Documenting learning experiences and conversations among peers

Supporting lead teacher with the student documentation process

Working collaboratively with the lead teacher to provide data for developmental progress reports and narratives

Assisting in class and behavior management of class

Teaching class if the lead teacher is absent and the Division Head is unable to find a substitute

Professional Growth

Participating in all professional development provided to the staff within or outside of the school

Meeting weekly (1 hour after school) with the teaching team to plan, update documentation, and maintain a clean learning environment

Attending monthly staff meetings, open house, curriculum night, professional development, and parent-teacher conferences (twice a year)

Meeting with the Division Head to discuss lesson planning and provide classroom updates

Exhibiting willingness to participate in the development and implementation of new ideas and teaching techniques

Engaging in activities that promote professional growth

Working with the Division Head and colleagues to grow, practice, asking questions, and working through lesson planning collaboratively

Relationships with the School & Colleagues

The Co-op teachers are a part of the educational program in and about the building, including parent meetings, staff meetings, and teacher support. Teachers are expected to maintain a positive and supportive attitude in regard to the program. Teachers are also encouraged to establish and maintain harmonious and cooperative professional relationships with all staff members.

These roles include and are not limited to:

Exhibiting a cooperative attitude toward students, parents/guardians community, and school personnel

Sharing ideas and techniques for improving instruction with one another and the ability to accept and offer constructive criticism

Collaborating and implementing projects, either in teams or in study groups

Following the prescribed process for communication within the school system, daily Edsby checks and posts

Responding to any emails in a timely fashion (within 24 hours)

Working on classroom projects and supporting school events by attending when possible (i.e. Gala, spirit days, Town Hall, Potluck, Book Fair, Open House, School Tours)

School Operations and Safe Environments

Thoroughly cleaning and organizing classroom spaces

Informing the Administration if there is a health and safety concern

QUALIFICATIONS

Passionate about working with children

2-3 years experience working with children, preferably working in a school setting

Bachelor/Master degree required - Ideal candidate has or will have a degree in early childhood or

elementary education

Enthusiasm for the opportunities and challenges inherent in working with children

A positive attitude and flexible approach

Annual Salary: The salary range for this position is $37,000 - $49,639; The position on the scale will be based on years of teaching experience and education.

Level: Full Time Union Position

Start Date: August 2024-2025 School Year

This Position reports directly to the Lower School Divison Head

TO APPLY:

● Send your resume to the Director of Human Resources, [e-mail]

The Co-op School COVID-19 Vaccination Policy:

We appreciate your interest in employment at The Co-op School. We would like to note that the School has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, which requires all faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated. Proof of vaccination is required.

The Co-op School is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, citizenship, national origin or ancestry, religion or religious practices, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, prior arrest or conviction record, genetic predisposition or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local laws. Our policy extends to all employment practices including but not limited to, hiring, transfer, promotion, training, compensation, benefits, lay-offs, and termination.