Preschool Assistant Teacher

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning; Elizabethtown (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 27,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning is seeking a Preschool Assistant Teacher in Elizabethtown, PA. This full-time role supports the Lead and Associate Teachers and helps implement the daily program for children, emphasizing social-emotional learning.

The position requires a high school diploma with possible CDA within two years, and prefers CDA accreditation. The center opens Summer 2027 and includes Seeds to Lead onboarding and pre-opening training.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma with potential to obtain CDA within two years (or CDA-equivalent).
• CDA accreditation preferred.
• Up to 1 year experience with birth-5 years/early childhood education.
• PA ECE Level A or B certification preferred.
• U.S. work authorization and pre-employment background checks.
• Comfortable with MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or willing to learn.

Responsibilities

• Support Lead and Associate Teachers with lesson plans and routines.
• Participate in classroom coaching cycles.
• Engage with children to support development and learning.
• Maintain a safe and nurturing environment for children.
• Communicate with families through approved channels.
• Complete daily attendance and meal reports.
• Ensure compliance with state licensing health, safety, and professional requirements.
• Model positive child development and confidentiality.

Education

High School Diploma with CDA eligibility

CDA Accreditation (Council of Professional Recognition) preferred

PA ECE Level A or B certification preferred

U.S. work authorization and background checks

Comfort with MS Office Suite

Job description

Preschool Assistant Teacher

CHS Elizabethtown - Elizabethtown, PA

Full-Time

The Assistant Teacher is motivated by the opportunity to help children learn by supporting classroom activities. This individual is responsible for supporting the Lead Teacher and the Associate Teacher in implementing the daily program for children. The Assistant Teacher is expected to encourage the social and emotional learning of children through engagement during group and individual learning experiences. The Assistant Teacher reports to the Assistant Director with progress, updates, risks, and issues. The starting pay rate is approximately $19.29 to $20.08 per hour, based on experience.

Candidate review and selection is currently underway for this position. The anticipated start date for the position is 01/05/2027.

As part of their employment, successful candidates will participate in Seeds to Lead, CHS's six-month pre-opening professional learning program. This structured onboarding and paid professional experience equips educators with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on practice needed to confidently implement the CHS model to fidelity from day one when the center opens.

The center is expected to begin operations in the Summer of 2027.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the Lead Teacher and the Associate Teacher with the implementation of classroom lesson plans linked to child outcomes, program development, and classroom routines and schedules
• Participating in classroom coaching cycles
• Engaging with children to support development and learning
• Supervising and providing a safe and nurturing environment for children
• Recognizing the needs of individual children and groups
• Providing the appropriate social emotional and learning supports
• Providing a safe and nurturing environment
• Assisting children with self-help and hygiene
• Completing all required program documentation and submitting them in a timely manner to the Lead Teacher
• As assigned by the Lead Teacher, communicating with families through program approved channels
• Completing daily attendance and meal participation reports
• Remaining compliant with all state licensing requirements as they pertain to health, safety, and professional requirements
• Acting as a role model for child development
• Maintaining confidentiality as it pertains to program, staff, and families

Qualifications

• High School Diploma with the ability to obtain the CDA (Child Development Associate) Accreditation within two years of hire, or qualifications equivalent to CDA (12 college credits in Early Childhood education, Elementary Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Child Development)
• CDA (Child Development Associate) Accreditation from the Council of Professional Recognition preferred
• Up to 1 year experience working with children from birth - 5 years/Early Childhood Education
• Level A or B certification in the PA ECE Career Pathway preferred
• Demonstrated understanding of and ability to effectively work with low-income families preferred
• Comfortability with technology including MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and /or willingness to learn
• Responsible, enthusiastic, and cares about working in a mission-focused organization
• Willingness to be held accountable and receive feedback
• Ability to physically interact with children (e.g., talk, hear, stoop, kneel, crouch, etc.) and lift and or move items of up to 40 pounds
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities
• Ability to proactively identify problems and implement solutions
• Commitment to the mission and values of CHS and MHS and demonstrated high degree of integrity as all MHS and CHS staff are considered to be role models for children
• U.S. work authorization and successful completion of pre-employment background checks and clearances

Who We Are And What We’re Looking For

At CHS, we are leaders passionate about early childhood education and community betterment. Our work is driven by the desire to endow children with the resources for educational and physical well-being, while supporting and empowering their families. We listen to the needs of our diverse community and adapt to give everyone a voice. We hold each-other accountable for bringing our best and most authentic selves to school every day, creating an environment of mutual respect.

We strive to build a team of individuals that is passionate about our mission, brings in new creative ideas, and loves their work. If this sounds like you, we look forward to seeing your application.