Pre-K 3 Assistant Teacher
Highland Park Methodist Day School | Dallas, Texas
Position Summary
Highland Park Methodist Day School is seeking a caring, enthusiastic, and dependable Pre-K 3 Assistant Teacher to support the lead teacher in creating a nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment. The ideal candidate is passionate about early childhood education and understands the importance of building strong relationships, fostering independence, and supporting the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of three-year-old children in a faith-based learning community.
Essential Responsibilities
- Assist the lead teacher in implementing engaging, developmentally appropriate lessons and activities that support early learning and school readiness.
- Support the implementation of the Frog Street curriculum, Conscious Discipline, and other instructional resources.
- Foster children's social-emotional development, language skills, independence, problem-solving abilities, and positive peer interactions.
- Help children develop self-help skills, including managing personal belongings, following classroom routines, and practicing appropriate hygiene.
- Support children as they learn to navigate transitions, share materials, follow directions, and participate in group activities.
- Help maintain a safe, organized, welcoming, and stimulating classroom environment.
- Supervise children during classroom activities, playground time, chapel, transitions, meals, and other school activities.
- Assist with classroom preparation, learning centers, instructional materials, and daily routines.
- Encourage children's language development, early literacy, foundational math skills, fine motor development, gross motor coordination, and creativity through purposeful play and hands-on experiences.
- Observe children's development and communicate relevant observations to the lead teacher.
- Build positive, respectful relationships with children, families, and colleagues.
- Follow all school policies and procedures related to health, safety, supervision, licensing, and confidentiality.
- Participate in staff meetings, professional development, school events, and other duties as assigned.
- Support the school's Christian mission and values by modeling kindness, respect, honesty, compassion, and a spirit of service.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required; coursework or credentials in early childhood education preferred.
- Previous experience working with toddlers or preschool-aged children preferred.
- Understanding of early childhood development and developmentally appropriate teaching practices.
- Strong communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
- Patience, flexibility, and a genuine love for working with young children.
- Ability to support children as they develop independence, emotional regulation, and early classroom skills.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team and follow the lead teacher's instructional direction.
- Commitment to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment.
- Ability to meet all applicable background check, fingerprinting, and other childcare employment requirements.
Desired Qualities
The ideal candidate is nurturing, patient, proactive, and dependable. This individual understands that three-year-olds learn best through play, exploration, repetition, and meaningful relationships. A successful candidate will help create a classroom where children feel safe, build confidence, develop independence, and establish a strong foundation for future learning.
Pay: $30,000.00 - $45,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
