Preschool Teaching Assistant — Arts-Integrated Support

Alphonsus Academy; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Alphonsus Academy & Center for the Arts in Chicago seeks a caring Preschool Teaching Assistant to support our early childhood program. The role works with the lead teacher to create a safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment where young children feel valued and empowered to grow.

The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma (early childhood coursework or degree preferred), experience with preschoolers, strong communication and teamwork skills, and a willingness

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; coursework or a degree in early childhood education preferred.
• Experience working with preschool-aged children strongly preferred.
• Understanding of early childhood development and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Ability to build positive relationships with young children, families, and colleagues.
• Strong communication, organizational, and collaboration skills.
• Patience, flexibility, creativity, and a genuine enthusiasm for working with young children.
• Willingness to support and uphold Alphonsus Academy’s Catholic mission and values.
• Ability to meet Archdiocese employment, background screening, and child protection requirements.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the lead teacher to implement engaging, developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
• Support students during whole-group instruction, small-group activities, learning centers, and independent exploration.
• Encourage student independence, curiosity, problem-solving, and creativity through purposeful play and hands-on experiences.
• Provide individualized support to students with varying developmental, academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.
• Assist with classroom transitions, routines, and daily activities, including arrival, dismissal, meals, rest time, and toileting as needed.
• Help establish and maintain a welcoming, inclusive, organized, and safe classroom environment.
• Model and reinforce positive social interactions, emotional regulation, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Assist in preparing and maintaining classroom materials, learning centers, displays, and documentation of student learning.
• Encourage children to take ownership of their classroom by supporting age-appropriate responsibilities, organization, and cleanup.
• Collaborate with staff and communicate professionally with families and colleagues; maintain confidentiality.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Collaboration

Patience

Creativity

Flexibility

Relationship-building

Catholic mission

Education

High school diploma

Early childhood education coursework/degree preferred

Job description

Alphonsus Academy & Center for the Arts in Chicago seeks a caring Preschool Teaching Assistant to support our early childhood program. The role works with the lead teacher to create a safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment where young children feel valued and empowered to grow.

The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma (early childhood coursework or degree preferred), experience with preschoolers, strong communication and teamwork skills, and a willingness