Preschool Teacher - Substitute

Archdiocese of St. Louis; Washington (MO); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

The Archdiocese of St. Louis seeks a Preschool Substitute Teacher to care for and supervise 3–5 year olds, following established plans and school policies. You will maintain a safe, nurturing learning environment and support each child’s development through age-appropriate activities.

Role requires flexibility, patience, sound judgment, and strong communication with staff, families, and administrators to ensure consistent daily learning experiences and well-being of young children.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication with children, families, and staff.
• Ability to manage a classroom and support individualized learning.
• Patience and flexibility to adapt to preschool needs.
• Team collaboration with teachers and administrators.

Responsibilities

• Follow daily schedules and lesson plans.
• Lead age-appropriate activities to support early literacy, numeracy, creativity, and motor skills.
• Provide safe, nurturing supervision and manage transitions.
• Support social-emotional development and inclusive participation.
• Maintain classroom safety and confidentiality, and report concerns promptly.

Skills

Communication

Classroom management

Patience

Collaboration

Education

Childcare or substitute teacher certification

CPR and First Aid certifications preferred

Job description

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The Archdiocese of St. Louis strives to teach and share our faith, serve others, and foster unity throughout the St. Louis area. Once a part of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary's campus, the Cardinal Rigali Center in Shrewsbury, MO is today the headquarters and curia (governing body) for the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

Job Summary

The Preschool Substitute Teacher is responsible for caring for, teaching, and supervising preschool-aged children, typically ages 3–5, in the absence of the regular classroom teacher. The Substitute Teacher helps maintain a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment that supports each child's social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.

The Substitute Teacher follows established lesson plans, classroom routines, and school policies to provide consistency in the children's daily learning experiences. This position requires flexibility, patience, sound judgment, and a commitment to the well-being and development of young children.

Job Responsibilities

Classroom Instruction and Activities

• Follow the daily schedule, lesson plans, and classroom routines established by the regular teacher or school administration.
• Lead age-appropriate activities that support early literacy, numeracy, creativity, and motor skill development.
• Engage children through stories, songs, play, and hands-on learning experiences.
• Adapt activities to meet children's individual needs, interests, and developmental levels.

Classroom Management

• Maintain a warm, positive, and structured classroom environment.
• Guide daily routines, including circle time, snack, rest, transitions, and outdoor play.
• Promote positive behavior through encouragement, redirection, and positive reinforcement.
• Ensure classroom expectations, school policies, and safety guidelines are consistently followed.

Student Engagement and Support

• Foster curiosity, cooperation, independence, and a love of learning.
• Provide individual attention and support to help each child feel included, valued, and successful.
• Encourage the development of social-emotional skills, including sharing, communication, cooperation, and self-regulation.
• Support children's developmental needs with patience, kindness, and respect.

Safety and Well-Being

• Maintain the physical and emotional safety of all children under supervision.
• Follow established health, hygiene, sanitation, and security procedures, including handwashing, sanitizing, and emergency protocols.
• Actively supervise children during classroom activities, transitions, meals, rest periods, and indoor and outdoor play.
• Respond appropriately to children's needs and promptly report accidents, injuries, incidents, or concerns to the appropriate school personnel.
• Follow all child protection policies and procedures.

Communication and Documentation

• Communicate effectively and professionally with school staff and administrators regarding classroom activities and significant observations.
• Provide the regular teacher with notes regarding the day's activities, classroom events, and any concerns requiring follow-up.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, and school matters.
• Demonstrate professionalism and sound judgment in all interactions with children, families, colleagues, and administrators.

Job Requirements

Licensing and Certifications

• Childcare or substitute teacher certification, if required by applicable state regulations or school policies.
• Current CPR and First Aid certifications preferred.
• Successful completion of all required diocesan and school background checks, child-safety training, and other employment requirements.

Experience

• Previous experience working with preschool-aged children in a classroom, childcare center, or similar setting preferred.
• Familiarity with early childhood development, classroom routines, and age-appropriate learning activities preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to create a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and classroom management skills.
• Patience, flexibility, dependability, and the ability to respond appropriately to changing classroom needs.
• Ability to work collaboratively with teachers, administrators, and other school personnel.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and following school policies and procedures.

The Archdiocese of St. Louis is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital, parental, veteran or disability status.
Pre-Employment Screening
All candidates receiving an employment offer must submit a pre-employment screening. The screening will include criminal background check, Family Care Safety Registration, drug screen, employment and educational licensure/certification verification, health screening, and any other screenings deemed necessary for employment. Any offer would be contingent upon successful completion of any required screening.

Our Mission

We are a unique community—diverse in our talent, but unified in our drive to create together, face challenges together and grow together. Our values push us to empower, propel and inspire new ways of turning possibilities into realities. Our competencies define the behaviors that guide who we are, how we are inspired and how we inspire of others to succeed.

Work/life balance is so important to the archdiocese. After all, our business is about making life easier and better—and we want that for you and your career just as much as our consumers and their day-to-day lives. That’s why we offer flexible working times, remote working options, generous paid vacation increasing with service, and personal leaves of absence.

As well as being able to make the most of life at home, you’ll also be able to contribute to the Archdiocese sponsored volunteer events. You can discover more about who we’re working with near you, and you can always ask us more about this at events and interviews—we love to see how passionate our people are about giving back.