Title: Early Learning Center Teacher Assistant for Two-year-old Classroom

Department/Location: Early Childhood, St. Louis campus

Organizational Relationship: Reports to Early Childhood Principal

Summary: Principia is seeking to hire a qualified nurturing individual with a great love and patience for young children. The teacher assistant works collaboratively with the lead teacher in the classroom to establish a safe and inclusive learning environment where children can freely explore, investigate, and be active and curious learners in a Reggio Emilia Inspired classroom. Strong communication skills and the desire to work collaboratively with other team members are needed. Full-time, school-year position. .

Work Performed: Essential Duties*

• Expresses a strong love and understanding for working with young children
• Supports all aspects of program preparation, implementation, and completion
• Nurturing, intuitive, and understands the needs of young children
• Expresses patience, creativity, joy, and a sense of humor
• Pursues professional development and supports best practices in the classroom
• Handles discipline situations in an effective, positive manner that supports character growth
• Able to meet the physical demands of the position
• Prepares food, helps maintain good hygiene, and changes diapers frequently
• Responds to changing conditions and directions with spiritual light-heartedness and flexibility
• Works effectively and collaboratively with the lead teacher to address the needs of children
• Comfortable with technology and records children’s routines throughout the day
• Acquainted with and follows the general care and physical requirements as outlined by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
• Hours are 8:00am - 1:00pm; 2:30pm - 5:30pm

Key Competencies

Candidates’ overall outlook and approach to life and learning are just as important to us as appropriate qualifications and experience. Principia School seeks individuals who are . . .

• Positive: We appreciate team members who are optimistic, positive, and focused on elevating and bringing out the very best in themselves and others. We are a strengths-based organization; faculty and staff are expected to understand teammates’ strengths and how they can complement each other.
• Team players: The ability to collaborate and partner with peers and senior administrators is critical. The School has a strong team-centered leadership approach. Staff are expected to be able to listen, give and receive feedback, and be comfortable exchanging ideas and speaking candidly in a professional and collegial manner. They must bring a constructive outlook to partnering with a wide range of stakeholders—administrators, faculty, coaches, houseparents, marketers, and fundraisers, among others.
• Innovators: Given our fast-moving, ever-changing world, all School employees are expected to demonstrate a problem-solving mindset that helps our team come up with creative solutions to challenging issues. The School emphasizes continual improvement and expects staff to have a mentality of self-improvement and organizational excellence.

Strategic thinkers: We prize the ability to consider complex topics from multiple perspectives and offer innovative solutions.

To perform this job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Ethics — Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and ethically; upholds organizational values
• Adaptability — Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events; displays positivity and flexibility in responding to new situations and expectations
• Initiative - Undertakes self-development activities
• Judgment — Exhibits sound and accurate judgment

Minimum Qualifications:

• Active (or pending) membership in The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and/or a Journal-listed branch church or society; if not a member, then aligns with Principia’s values. Those who are not members of a Christian Science church are currently referred to as Visiting Professionals, though the position is still a full-time, school-year position; not temporary.
• Christian Science class instruction preferred by not required
• Bachelor’s degree (Early Childhood or Education degree/certification preferred)
• Strong understanding of stages of childhood development
• Experience caring for infants and toddlers
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrate support of Principia’s mission and philosophy by promoting a positive image of the school at all times

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  The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed, but are not to be seen as a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.