Pre-K Teacher Assistant

Catholic Diocese of Buffalo; Kenilworth (NY); On-site; USD 18,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

The Catholic Diocese of Buffalo is seeking a full-time Pre-Kindergarten Teacher Assistant for the 2026/2027 school year. You will support PK students and classroom teachers to create a safe, nurturing learning environment, assisting with routines, activities, supervision, and classroom organization.

The ideal candidate is caring, dependable, enthusiastic, and able to collaborate with administration, faculty, and staff as an essential part of the St. John’s community.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED is required.
• VIRTUS certification and background check are required.
• Associate degree (or higher) in Early Childhood Education preferred.
• Experience working with pre-kindergarten children preferred.
• Strong communication, teamwork, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist classroom teachers with material preparation, small group work, and implementing daily lessons.
• Support students during instruction, centers, meals, and outdoor activities.
• Encourage positive behavior and reinforce school expectations for PK students.
• Assist with daily routines and arrival/dismissal procedures.
• Supervise students during lunch and encore classes.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Organizational skills

Patience and nurturing

Education

High School diploma or GED

VIRTUS certified

Associate degree in Early Childhood Education

Job description

Brief Job Description:St. John’s is currently seeking a full-time Pre-Kindergarten Teacher Assistant for the 2026/2027 school year to support our classroom teachers in providing a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment for our PK students. Our TAs are instrumental in assisting the classroom teachers with creating a positive learning environment, assisting with daily classroom routines, instructional activities, supervision, and classroom organization, while fostering the students’ social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.

The ideal candidate would be caring, dependable, enthusiastic, qualified to work as a teacher assistant, and would work collaboratively with our administration, faculty and staff, becoming an integral part of our SJS community.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assist classroom teacher(s) with various tasks including material preparation, small group work, copies, and implementing daily lessons and learning activities


• Support students during classroom instruction, small group activities, centers, projects, meals, and outdoor play.


• Encourage positive behavior and reinforce classroom expectations for PK students


• Assist students with daily routines and reinforce behavioral expectations of the school


• Supervise students during lunch and encore classes


• Support with arrival and dismissal procedures and supervision


• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions, including classroom management and routine procedures


• Assist classroom teacher(s) with other duties, as assigned


• Other school and classroom responsibilities, as assigned

Qualifications: Required Education/Experience:

• High School diploma or GED required


• VIRTUS certified and background check required


• Associate degree (or higher level of education) in Early Childhood Education or related field preferred


• Experience working with pre-kindergarten children is preferred


• Strong communication, teamwork, and organizational skills


• Ability to build positive relationships with children, families, and staff


• Ability to actively participate in classroom activities.

Desired Skills:

• Patience, kindness, and a nurturing attitude


• Ability to communicate effectively with teachers, administrators, parents, and students


• Passion for working with pre-kindergarten children


• Dependability, punctuality, and professionalism


• Ability to support early childhood learning through play and hands-on activities


• Knowledge of classroom technology or willingness to learn


• Ability to take initiative and multitask in a fast-paced classroom environment


• Flexibility and adaptability to changing classroom needs


• Willingness to participate in the school community outside of the classroom

Salary: Starting at $16 per hour