Lower School Assistant Teacher ( Parental Leave) November 2026-April 2027

Details posted: 04-Aug-26 • Location: Dedham, Massachusetts • Full-time parental-leave substitute (November 16, 2026 – April 16, 2027)

About the role

The Rashi School, Greater Boston’s Reform Jewish independent school serving students in grades Pre-K–8, seeks a Lower School Assistant Teacher to join a high-functioning team that includes a lead teacher and learning specialists. In this warm, inclusive community, children are appreciated for who they are as they learn and develop their identities. The school’s foundation of rigorous academics and differentiated instruction, combined with a mission rooted in social justice, encourages students to ask tough questions—not just the who, what, and where, but the how, why, and what can I do to fix it. Rashi graduates emerge as confident learners, change agents, global Jewish citizens, and kind friends.

Rashi’s Lower School uses a collaborative teaching model to promote students’ academic, social, and emotional growth by nurturing an environment that values risk-taking, flexibility, adaptability, empathy, and resilience. The school seeks faculty and staff with diverse backgrounds who model these traits and core values.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with students as directed by the Lead Teacher (e.g., working with an individual student or small group, conferencing) to inspire and challenge all learners.
• Assist the Lead Teacher in ensuring that all students receive appropriate accommodations.
• Support the Lead Teacher during transition times to and from specialists.
• Demonstrate leadership under the direction of the Lead Teacher—e.g., taking charge of the classroom when the Lead Teacher is absent; developing curriculum for specific groups of students; creating morning-meeting activities.
• Participate in weekly planning meetings with the Lead Teacher.
• Assist with classroom set-up and other responsibilities such as photocopying, lesson preparation, maintaining bulletin boards, and correcting student work.
• Support the Lead Teacher with writing and proofreading report cards.
• Attend grade-level meetings and participate in Parent-Teacher Conferences.
• Share duties (recess, lunch, etc.) as assigned by the Assistant Head of School for Academic Operations and Culture.
• Participate in T’fillah, Kabbalat Shabbat (worship services), and other holiday celebrations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education or a related field (required).
• Prior experience teaching in an elementary or early-childhood setting (preferred).

Personal Characteristics

• Collaborative
• Creative and analytical
• Continuous learner
• Open to feedback
• Strong communicator and active listener
• Commitment to working in and fostering an inclusive community
• Demonstrates joy working with elementary-aged students
• Belief in Rashi’s Mission and Core Values

Physical Requirements

• Able to sit, stand, type, twist, and bend.
• Able to use telephone and computers.

Pay

$180.00 per day; eligible for accrued sick time under Massachusetts law.