Preschool Associate Teacher

Chs Kids; Elizabethtown, Northern (Lancaster County, KY); Hybrid; USD 43,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Seeds to Lead program

Job summary

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning seeks an Associate Teacher to support the Lead Teacher in delivering a high-quality early childhood program. You will assist in implementing lesson plans, observing child progress, and engaging families to foster a culturally responsive classroom community.

Ideal candidates have a CDA or 12 college credits in ECE, with 1–3 years of experience, and strong communication skills for working with families.

Qualifications

• Current Child Development Associate credential or 12 college credits in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, or early childhood special education; Level A/B PA ECE Pathway preferred
• 1-3 years experience working with birth to 5 years/early childhood education
• Experience with early childhood standards including NAEYC preferred
• Familiar with inquiry-based and project approach learning; PBIS strategies preferred
• Comfort with technology including MS Office Suite and willingness to learn
• Strong engagement with parents/caregivers and ability to initiate discussions as needed
• Mission-focused, responsible, and able to handle feedback
• Capable of lifting up to 40 pounds and working in a dynamic environment
• U.S. work authorization and pre-employment checks

Responsibilities

• Implement classroom lesson plans linked to outcomes and schedules
• Participate in classroom coaching cycles
• Support social, emotional, and cognitive development through age-appropriate activities
• Supervise children and maintain a safe environment
• Observe, assess, and document each child’s progress
• Possibly assume Lead Teacher duties in absence of Lead Teacher
• Ensure classroom management, organization, and cleanliness
• Maintain safety and hygiene for children
• Schedule family/staff conferences and meetings with Lead Teacher
• Maintain daily communication with families via multiple channels
• Complete program documentation and attendance/meal reports
• Adhere to licensing requirements related to health, safety, and professionalism
• Model professional child development and maintain confidentiality

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Family engagement

Planning collaboration

Technology fluency

Child development knowledge

Parent communication

Education

CDA credential or 12 college credits in ECE

PA ECE Career Pathway Level A/B preferred

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

The Associate Teacher is an individual passionate about education, and excited about working with children to further their educational and emotional growth. In collaboration with the Lead Teacher and the Assistant Teacher, the Associate Teacher is responsible for supporting the implementation of the early childhood classroom curriculum and assessment process, involving families in classroom experiences, and cultivating a classroom environment that represents each child's family culture. This individual is responsible for supporting the Lead Teacher in planning and implementing the daily education program for children. The Associate Teacher reports to the Assistant Director to provide information should a risk of issue arise. The salary range for this position is $42,625 to $49,760 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

• Implementing classroom lesson plans linked to child outcomes, program development, and classroom routines/schedules
• Participating in classroom coaching cycles
• Enhancing social, emotional, and cognitive development through age-specific manipulatives, activities, and language experiences for children
• Supervising and providing a safe and nurturing environment for children
• Observing, assessing, and documenting each assigned child's health, skills, behavior, growth, and development
• Assuming Lead Teacher's responsibilities in the Lead Teacher's temporary absence
• Ensuring general classroom management, organization, cleanliness, and maintenance
• Caring for safety and hygiene of children on a frequent basis
• Scheduling family/staff conferences and, in collaboration with the Lead Teacher, conducting meetings
• Maintaining daily communication with families using multiple channels of communication
• Completing all required program documentation and submitting it in a timely manner to the Lead Teacher
• 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

• Current Child Development Associate credential issued by the Council for Professional Recognition OR at least 12 college credits in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, or early childhood special education; level A or B certification in the PA ECE Career Pathway preferred
• 1-3 years experience working with children from birth - 5 years/Early Childhood Education
• Experience and knowledge in Early Childhood Education program and teaching standards, including code of ethics - NAEYC standards preferred
• Familiar with inquiry-based and project approach learning, as well as PBIS strategies 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
• Excels at engaging with parents/caregivers, including initiating discussions when necessary
• Responsible, enthusiastic, and cares about working in a mission-focused organization
• Willingness to be held accountable and receive feedback
• Exceptional interpersonal skills including the ability to influence, lead, and educate teams
• 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 students
• 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.

About Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning

At Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning, we nurture children, support them in discovering their world, and help them grow to reach their fullest potential. We are passionate educators, caregivers, and role models dedicated to successful early childhood development. We believe that a rich and solid foundation, along with a nurturing and supportive environment, is critical to helping children grow. We focus on the whole child, helping them flourish in mind and body. And we set them on a path to become their strongest, brightest, and best selves in school and beyond.

Catherine Hershey’s dream was to provide children with a well-rounded education. That dream lives on in her name and is our mission at Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning.

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning does not discriminate against applicants or employees, in hiring, promotion or any terms or conditions of employment, on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion or religious creed, veteran status, disability or use of a guide or support animal because of the blindness, deafness or physical handicap of the user or because the user is a handler or trainer of support or guide animals, or any other status protected under applicable federal or Pennsylvania law.

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning are subsidiaries of Milton Hershey School and will be staffed and operated independently of the Milton Hershey School core model.

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning will not tolerate any form of harassment or discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion or religious creed, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected under applicable federal or Pennsylvania law (collectively “Protected Characteristics”), against any applicant for admission, enrolled children, or any other individual(s) who participate(s) in the programs, services, and activities at our Centers.