Assistant Preschool Teacher

High Rockies Community School is building a nature-integrated preschool rooted in the mountain communities of Park County, designed to honor the way young children learn — outside, in relationship, through play and wonder.

About the role

The Preschool Intern Teacher is a hands-on, onsite presence every day. You are on the ground, outside in the mud kitchen, helping children with daily routines, noticing individual needs, and ensuring the classroom runs smoothly so teachers can focus on instruction. This role is ideal for someone early in their early childhood education (ECE) journey — curious, energetic, and genuinely drawn to young children — who wants to learn what great early childhood practice looks like from the inside.

Responsibilities

• Classroom Support
  • Be present and engaged during all classroom and outdoor learning activities, supporting the Program Director / Lead Teacher and Preschool Teacher in delivering the daily program
  • Assist with transitions — arrival, outdoor time, structured activities, and dismissal — helping children move through the day safely and with confidence
  • Support small-group and individual activities as directed, providing encouragement, redirection, and hands-on help as children explore, create, and play
  • Assist with setup and cleanup of learning materials, outdoor equipment, and the classroom environment
  • Help maintain a safe, organized physical space that meets CDEC health and safety standards
  • Provide attentive supervision of children at all times, particularly during outdoor learning and physical activity
• Student Support
  • Offer warm, consistent support to individual students, including those who need extra time, encouragement, or assistance with self-care routines
  • Observe and report student behaviors, moods, and interactions to the Program Director / Lead Teacher to support ongoing assessment and instructional decisions
  • Assist with basic self-care routines such as handwashing, snack, and dressing for outdoor weather
  • Support students with identified needs as directed by the Program Director / Lead Teacher and Student Services Coordinator
• Family & Community
  • Greet children and families warmly at arrival and dismissal, serving as a friendly and reliable face of the program
  • Communicate any notable student observations or events at the end of the day to the Program Director / Lead Teacher for follow-up with families
• Professional Responsibilities
  • Complete required CDEC training hours, CPR/First Aid certification, and mandatory reporter training before working with students
  • Arrive reliably and on time — the program depends on full staffing every day
  • Participate in preschool team check-ins and school-wide professional development as scheduled
  • Approach the role as a learning opportunity — ask questions, observe closely, and grow

Requirements

• 18 years of age or older; high school diploma or GED required
• Genuine interest in early childhood education and working with young children (ages 3–5)
• Patience, reliability, and a calm, warm presence with children
• Ability to pass a criminal background check (CBI fingerprinting) consistent with C.R.S.22-32-109.7
• Physical ability to work outdoors in varying mountain weather conditions and keep up with active preschoolers

Preferred Qualifications

• Current enrollment or completed coursework in an Early Childhood Education program
• CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain before start)
• Experience with young children in any setting — childcare, tutoring, camp, babysitting, volunteering
• Connection to or experience in mountain, rural, or small-school communities

You’ll Be a Great Fit If You…

• Light up around young children and find their way of seeing the world genuinely delightful
• Are the kind of person who notices what needs doing and does it without being asked
• Want to learn — about early childhood, outdoor education, and what it actually takes to build a great program
• Are comfortable outside in the cold, the mud, and the wind, and would rather be in the woods than at a desk
• Understand that showing up consistently, with care and good energy, is the job

Benefits

• Colorado HWFA paid sick leave
• FAMLI paid family and medical leave
• PERA retirement
• Most Fridays off

This part-time position is not eligible for PTO or the ICHRA health-insurance contribution.

Pay

$21.11–$27.57/hour, based on experience and qualifications

Schedule

Part-time, non-exempt. Start date: August 2026.

Reports to: Preschool Program Director / Lead Teacher. Location: Alma campus.