Teacher Assistant- Early Learning (Limited Duration)

KairosPDX; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 28,929 - 34,440; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick/personal leave

Employer health insurance contribution

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

A local educational organization in Portland is seeking a full-time Teacher Assistant for their Early Learning program. The role supports teachers in a nurturing and engaging classroom environment that fosters children's growth. Responsibilities include assisting in curriculum implementation and promoting social-emotional intelligence. The ideal candidate will have relevant experience in early childhood education, strong communication skills, and a commitment to culturally relevant practices. Salary ranges from $21 to $25 per hour, with benefits offered.

Qualifications

• Relevant experience in child development and early childhood education.
• Ability to pass a criminal background check.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Support classroom expectations and agreements.
• Guide children in their exploration and reflection processes.
• Nurture the social-emotional intelligence of children.

Skills

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Effective communication

Compassionate leadership

Education

Experience in child development and early childhood education

Documentation of at least step 4 in the Oregon registry

Enrollment in Oregon’s Criminal Background Registry

Job description

Working at KairosPDX

KairosPDX is currently seeking candidates for a full‑time, limited‑duration Teacher Assistant – Early Learning position, starting immediately. Persons of color and members of other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

KairosPDX launched our flagship program, the Learning Academy, a public charter school sponsored by Portland Public Schools, located on N. Gantenbein Avenue in Portland in 2014. Our educational model is inquiry‑based and our curriculum approach is a culturally‑responsive, workshop model that infuses mindfulness, restorative practice, studio art, STEM, music, and fitness into our teaching.

KairosPDX launched the Training Academy in 2021. The Training Academy focuses on training leaders across sectors on how to lead in an equity movement grounded in transformational change and rooted in a framework of belonging and the neuroscience of love. We provide training and professional development around rehumanization practices and protocols for administrators, educators, early childhood professionals, organizations, and businesses to learn the tools to do the work in equity that KairosPDX puts into practice daily.

The Early Learning Program, which opened in 2022 as a pilot site for Preschool for All, is designed to affirm and celebrate Black identity in young children and their families. It is grounded in the belief that culturally‑specific early learning experiences expand opportunities for children to actively engage in creating their own lives and to contribute fully to the quality of the world around them. We value the creativity, interests, ideas, and questions of the children and adults at our school.

We practice listening, observing, inquiring, being attentive, and reflecting together with children and families. We value the role of the arts and sciences as languages for thinking, expressing ideas, communicating who we are, and telling the stories of those we belong to—past and present. Kairos is Greek for a special moment in time, and we believe we are creating this time and space for children and families, making KairosPDX a very special place to work.

The Early Learning Teacher Assistant will support the Teachers in implementing the curriculum in a safe, healthy, and nurturing classroom environment that supports each child's social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth and development. The assistant will perform activities that ensure the safety, involvement, and creativity of each individual in the group. The assistant will work cooperatively with the teachers to discuss and aid in the implementation of daily plans in accordance with the current curriculum.

Overall Staff Responsibilities

• Share responsibility with a team of colleagues and families to honor the mission: eliminate racial achievement and opportunity gaps by cultivating confident, creative, and compassionate leaders.
• Practice the values of KairosPDX in professional conduct and daily interactions: respect, responsibility, honesty, excellence, and service to community.
• Incorporate the beliefs of KairosPDX in all approaches and instruction:
  • Every child is uniquely capable, innately curious, and inherently creative.
  • Character and agency are essential to achievement and are developed through relationships and service to others.
  • A multicultural context delivers a strong sense of self and is a requirement for participation in our global society.
  • Children must be supported in the context of their families.
  • Support multicultural practice and inquiry‑based approaches that are:
    • Actively anti‑racist – confronting bias in all of its forms.
    • Education for social justice – acknowledging history and studying the present to make informed decisions regarding a more equitable future.
    • Pervasive – examining practices at all levels of school culture and organization.
    • Personal – beginning with the necessary consideration of self as a cultural being.
    • Critical pedagogy – pursuing multiple perspectives, anticipating contradictions, and challenging assumptions.
    • Empowering – providing children with the ego strength to challenge racist societal views.
    • Helping children think deeply about themselves and others.

Core Position Responsibilities

• Support the teaching team and a group of preschool children.
• Support for the exchange of information between home and school (creation of flyers, conference reminders, etc.).
• Support teachers to communicate with families regarding student behavior, needs, and growth.
• Perform activities that ensure the safety, engagement, and creativity of each individual in the group.
• Work cooperatively with teachers to discuss and aid in the implementation of daily plans in accordance with the current curriculum.
• Nurture the social‑emotional intelligence of children.
• Follow daily lesson plans for appropriate age teaching and learning, making adjustments when needed.
• Support set up, maintenance, and clean up of daily provocations.
• Partner with teachers to cultivate a warm, welcoming, and safe environment for students, families, and colleagues.
• Support classroom expectations and agreements.
• Guide children through the process of exploration, collaboration, and reflection.
• Comfortable getting outside and creating a positive light on outdoor education in all weather.
• Support the teachers in keeping an organized and orderly classroom that promotes creativity and learning.
• Support teachers to maintain weekly communication with parents through a weekly email.
• Cultivate positive relationships with families, teachers, state licensing authorities, community contacts, and corporate partners.
• Participate in supervising students during recess and other non‑classroom times.
• Assist in planning and supervising walking and local field trips.

Additional Responsibilities

• Attend several KairosPDX staff and family events.
• Participate in professional development to facilitate the growth of each student, staff members and the organization overall.
• Participate in continuous improvement practices, including observations, reflections, and collaborations.
• Perform other related duties as needed and assigned.

Salary and Benefits

• Salary: Dependent on qualifications, ranging from $21 – $25 per hour.
• Work year: This assignment is for a limited duration through the end of the school year on June 24, 2026. Please be advised that this is an at‑will position.
• Benefits include: Up to two weeks of building closure breaks, prorated paid sick/personal leave days, paid holidays, employer contribution for health insurance, and professional development opportunities.

Required Qualifications

• Relevant experience in child development and early childhood education.
• Agility to work across multiple, simultaneous projects and meet deadlines with attention to detail.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
• Compassionate and confident leader.
• Eagerness to work collaboratively with the early childhood teaching team.
• Documentation of attaining at least step 4 in the Oregon registry.
• Enrollment in Oregon’s Criminal Background Registry through the Office of Child Care (cost paid by applicant).
• Ability to pass a criminal background check.

Knowledge & Skills

• High tolerance for ambiguity, changing work priorities and deadlines, and a willingness to take on responsibilities and prioritize work on multiple projects.
• Highly detail‑focused and results‑oriented.
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with multiple constituencies, including families, parents, staff, and students.
• Team‑player attitude and strong customer‑service orientation.
• Excellent organizational, planning, and implementation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated initiative, leadership, and tenacity.
• Willingness to learn about and adapt to KairosPDX culture.
• Commitment to culturally relevant practices.
• Commitment to professional reflection and ongoing collaboration.
• Current Food Handlers Card and CPR/First Aid Certificate required (cost paid by applicant).
• Share KairosPDX’s stance that excellent public education is a civil right of all children and families.
• Experience working with diverse populations, specifically people of color.
• Passion for KairosPDX’s mission.