Princeton, New Jersey
Chicago, Illinois
St. Louis, Missouri
Annapolis, Maryland
Posted: 05-May-25
Location: Stone Ridge, New York
Type: Full Time
Salary: $30,375.00 - $32,805.00
Categories:
Required Education:
Additional Information:
Our Mission
High Meadow School is a nursery through 8th-grade independent school that celebrates childhood, the joy of learning and play, and the power of community in a student-centered environment. We honor and welcome each child’s unique voice, identity, and approach to constructing knowledge. Drawing on current pedagogical research, we center diversity, equity, civic engagement, nature, and the arts in the school’s dynamic curriculum and culture. High Meadow students graduate with a strong academic foundation and a developed sense of self, ready to contribute their passions and values to building thriving, sustainable, and equitable communities.
Job Description
The assistant teacher plays a critical role in upholding the culture and educational program at High Meadow School. The principal role of the assistant teacher is to support the successful operation of the classroom environment in partnership with the classroom’s lead teacher. The assistant teacher provides a range of support to the classroom, including fostering the development of a positive learning environment, preparing materials for lessons, offering one-on-one or small group supervision and instruction, supervising students during recess and lunch times, and providing modifications to enhance students' learning processes. The assistant teacher builds warm and trusting relationships with students, helping them navigate academic and social tasks, problem-solve, resolve conflicts with peers, and pursue their interests related to learning. While the lead teacher is the primary point of contact for families to communicate with, the assistant teacher also fosters positive partnerships with families surrounding their child’s learning and growth. The assistant teacher collaborates with other staff members and participates in professional development and learning opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge.
Essential Duties
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below represent the required knowledge, skill, and/or ability. High Meadow School complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended by the ADA Amendments Act, and all applicable New York State or local laws. Consistent with those requirements, High Meadow School will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability if such accommodation would allow the individual to satisfactorily perform the job's essential functions unless doing so would create an undue hardship.
- Foster loving, trusting, and supportive relationships with children
- Inspire learners to find joy and meaning in their learning and their relationships with others
- Support the lead teacher in building a warm, inviting, and student-centered classroom environment that is reflective of the school’s progressive mission and honors students’ identities, personal voices, and interests
- Support the building of a supportive classroom culture that is calm and predictable, involves student input, sets logical and developmentally appropriate boundaries, and allows students to learn and practice expected behaviors to promote a positive learning environment without fear of punitive measures
- Form a positive and collaborative working relationship with lead teacher
- Model and support children using restorative practices to reflect on their actions, resolve intrapersonal issues and conflicts, and repair intentional or unintentional harm that their actions may have caused
- Perform various tasks to support the efficient running of the classroom environment, including but not limited to materials preparation and classroom setup, snack preparation, assisting or supervising small groups of children in learning activities, and reinforcing classroom expectations.
- Help differentiate instruction and provide modifications to students with Early Childhood Intervention Services, 504 plans, or Individualized Education Plans to help them meet their academic or behavioral goals
- Supervise students during arrival, dismissal, lunch, and recess
- Attend Arts and Recreation classes with children and provide assistance to Arts and Recreation teachers
- Participate in professional development and grade-level planning meetings and designated professional development days
- Other duties as assigned by supervisor
Work Details
- This is a full-time, 10-month position
- This position functions onsite 5 days a week from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
- The physical demands of this job include lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, crouching, reaching overhead, and/or climbing ramps or stairs
- The job is performed in a generally hazard-free environment
Desired Qualifications*
*Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet all the qualifications described.
- Bachelor’s degree preferred
- Experience in previous childcare settings preferred
- Educational philosophy and skill set align with the High Meadow School mission and core beliefs
- Able to genuinely project the High Meadow School image and culture by being genuinely friendly, deeply hospitable, showing great care, and taking pride in providing exceptional education
- Ability to support an inclusive, equitable classroom environment that centers inquiry-based education, student identity, child development, choice and democratic decision-making, play, and learning by doing
- Willingness to be flexible and solutions-oriented when doing school tasks or assisting students and teachers
- Willingness to take on coverage of a class in the absence of a lead teacher
- Commitment to culturally responsive and anti-racist teaching practices
- Experience with Progressive Education models
- Attentive to the physical and emotional safety of children in both classroom and outdoor play environments
- Experience forming collegial relationships with parents/guardians of students
- Willing and wanting to participate in a highly collaborative, community-based work environment
- Strong oral, written, and electronic communication skills
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and judgment regarding privileged information
High Meadow School is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, New York State, and local laws. High Meadow School strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, students, or student families because of actual or perceived race; color; creed; age; religion; national origin; citizenship status; sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related medical conditions); gender (including gender identity and transgender status); sexual orientation; disability (which includes functional limitations caused by gender dysphoria); marital status; partnership status; familial status; status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or sex offenses; genetic predisposition; veteran’s status; military status; or any other basis protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws, regulations, or ordinances. All High Meadow School employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, testing, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, transfers, leaves of absence, and termination of employment.