Assistant Teacher

Job Summary

An Assistant Teacher assists the Lead Teacher in planning the daily activities and aids in facilitating activities for all children, aged 2 years (24 months) to 5 years old, who are enrolled in Rainbows’ Academy. The Assistant Teacher helps the Teacher in implementing the Developmental Assessment for each child to determine the child’s strengths and areas in which the child may need help. This is a full‑time position.

Essential Job Functions

• Assists the Teacher in providing a warm and nurturing environment in which the children can grow.
• Assesses the child's day‑to‑day strengths and needs through observation and maintains records as required.
• Provides input to classroom planning, both long term and short term.
• Maintains open communication with teachers, parents, and other staff members.
• Ability to comply with Agency and departmental safety policies and procedures.
• Performs other tasks as assigned.
• Ability to hear, understand, and distinguish speech and/or other sounds in person.
• Ability to determine and identify items and children in the periphery, near, and far visual fields.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• CDA (Child Development Associate) Certificate, or college hours in Child Development preferred.
• 1 year working with special needs children or children aged 2 to 5 years preferred.
• Valid CPR and First Aid certification required.
• Maintain a minimum of 16 Kansas Department Health and Environment (KDHE) approved training hours annually by attending staff trainings.

Skills

• Ability to read and write the English language.
• Ability to perform work tasks within the physical demand requirements as outlined below.

Work Schedule

Full‑Time, Monday through Friday. Opening shift – 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM or Closing shift – 9:15 AM to 5:45 PM.

Work Pace

Self‑paced, requiring the ability to think and act quickly and efficiently in a fast‑paced, demanding work environment.

Work Environment

This position operates in a classroom setting, both indoors and outdoors.

Physical Demands

• Sitting: 1‑2 hours in an 8‑hour work shift; alternates to standing frequently.
• Standing: 4‑6 hours in an 8‑hour work shift; alternates to sitting frequently.
• Walking: ½‑1 hour in an 8‑hour work shift.
• Lifting (1‑10 lb): continuously (toys, chairs, files, etc.).
• Lifting (11‑20 lb): continuously (equipment, children, supplies).
• Lifting (21‑50 lb): frequently (equipment, children, supplies).
• Carrying (1‑10 lb): continuously (toys, chairs, files, etc.).
• Carrying (11‑20 lb): continuously (equipment, children, supplies).
• Carrying (21‑50 lb): frequently (equipment, children, supplies).
• Pushing: required to push children in wheelchairs continuously.
• Bending: continuously.
• Squatting: continuously.
• Kneeling: continuously.
• Crawling: continuously.
• Climbing: rarely (stairs); frequently for multi‑level facilities.
• Grasping: continuously.
• Reaching: continuously.
• Fine manipulation: continuously.