Position Description:
The Early Childhood Assistant supports the Lead Teacher in carrying out the program (8:00 AM – 1:00 PM for either 3 or 5 days per week). They partner with the lead in creating and holding the rhythm of the day and its evolving nature adjusting to changes as needed. When necessary, the Assistant will substitute for the lead and be supported by a substitute assistant.
Responsibilities:
The assistant teacher supports the lead teacher, working together to sustain and support the children and the program as needed. Ongoing classroom support involves, but is not limited to: supporting the children’s play, daily activities and self-care, daily food preparation and clean up, ongoing classroom care and organization, preparation of materials/handwork, and other detailed duties arranged according to the individual teaching team. Participation in extended care, consisting of lunch and rest for some of the children from 12:30 until 3:30, is expected by all teachers and assistants. The number of Extended Days each teacher must contribute to the week depends upon the enrollment numbers in the program.
Skills & Qualifications:
- Love and respect for the developing child.
- Ability to work well with colleagues.
- Interest in an understanding of child development from the Anthroposophic view.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
- Experience working with young children
Expectations of All Employees:
- Provide support to parents and treat them with courtesy and respect. Foster growth of the community. Provide parents with opportunities to learn more about the Waldorf philosophy.
- Work collegially with coworkers. Treat them with courtesy and respect. Be willing to work through conflicts when they arise.
- Be able to hold sensitive information as confidential when identified as such in meetings by either the faculty, administration, or board.
- Continue to work on self and professional development.
- Be a worthy representative of DVWS and Waldorf education.
- Be punctual.
- Dress professionally and appropriately to stand before the students.
- Be an adult worthy of imitation.
- Work with each child as an individual, worthy of the deepest reverence. Treat children with courtesy, love and respect, especially when discipline is needed.
- Strive for an inner understanding of the year’s seasons and festivals in order to support the teacher in bringing this to the children in an appropriate fashion.
- Yearly attendance at Waldorf early childhood conferences or training is encouraged.
Organizational Responsibilities:
- Participation in level and faculty meetings as requested.
- Participation in mentoring meetings (if suggested in your employment letter).
- Participation in Faculty in-service meetings in advance of, during, and after the school year.
- Participation in the community building activities of the school.
- Keeping up-to-date on announcements sent via email, the DVWS news or postings.
- Reading the Employee Handbook annually and completing the acknowledgement paperwork.
- Familiarizing oneself with the policies and procedures printed in the Parent Handbook.
- Timely submission of paperwork as requested.
- Submission of receipts for any supplies purchased on behalf of the program in a timely manner.
Work Expectation:
- 5 hours per day plus additional hours based on Extended Day program enrollment (1-3 days/week)
- Regularly scheduled school days (approximately 35 weeks)
- Additional in service or study hours outside of school days including institute days
- 2 weeks prior to the beginning of the scheduled school year
- 2 weeks at the close of the school year
- Other hours as requested or agreed upon through your letter of employment
Compensation and Benefits:
- Salary based on weekly workload, mornings and afternoons
- Tuition remission based on current employment policy
- Holidays off based on the school calendar
- Annual Training benefit based on budget allocations
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to info@davinciwaldorf.org or mail to:
Administrator
Da Vinci Waldorf School
150 W. Bonner Road
Wauconda, IL 60084