Preschool Teacher's Aide - St. Norbert - Northbrook - Vicariate I

About the Role

St. Norbert School, a progressive, child-centered Catholic school, is accepting applications for a preschool aide for the remainder of the 2026-2027 school year. We are seeking an aide to fulfill the mission of our Catholic school by guiding and nurturing the learning process of students cognitively, social-emotionally, physically, and spiritually. We are a faith-based school community that believes in offering each student a child-centered, challenging curriculum. We value creativity, social emotional awareness, and experience. We are in search of a candidate that understands the importance of nurturing the development of the whole child.

Responsibilities

• Acts as a witness to Gospel values by modeling the teachings of the Catholic Church.
• Supervises the classroom when the teacher is out of the room.
• Oversees unstructured free play.
• Works with the teacher to ensure organization of free play and corresponds to scheduled structured activities.
• Implements activities based on developmentally appropriate practices and knowledge of child development.
• Assists with drop-off in the morning, greets parents and children, and assists in making a smooth transition.
• Assists with meals, bathroom breaks, and hand-washing.
• Attends staff meetings, training meetings, and yearly open house as identified by the school principal.
• Participates in classroom or staff meetings as needed to consult on program planning, goal setting and implementation, planning for individual children and to discuss program and working conditions.
• Performs other duties necessary to the smooth functioning of the facility as assigned by the Preschool Director or the School Principal.
• Welcomes families, volunteers and others to the classroom by creating a friendly environment and facilitating their participation.
• Demonstrates tact, courtesy, patience, and consideration for others. Interactions with individuals reflect mutual trust, respect, and support.
• Treats each child with dignity and respect. Respects the privacy of children by not discussing children or their families in front of other children.
• Includes children in conversation with parents when the child is present and being discussed.
• Uses a confident, firm tone of voice in handling behavior problems, not a shrill, condescending, or angry voice. Does not use food as a reward or punishment.
• Shares information appropriate with other staff members; keeps classroom staff informed but does not violate confidentiality with those who have no need to know.
• Works with co-workers to share information on planned daily activities of the program, classroom management techniques, room arrangements, and communication with families.
• Maintains an orderly physical environment conducive to optimal growth and development with special regard to health and safety.
• Reports any medical problems or accidents to other staff and to the parents.
• Knows and follows Universal Precautions.
• Knows and follows proper handwashing procedures.
• Knows procedures for reporting suspected incidents of child abuse and/or neglect.
• Participates in fire, lockdown, and tornado drills, and knows the proper evacuation routes.
• Observes the classroom, classroom supply areas, playground area and equipment for hazards and keeps the areas neat and sanitary.

Requirements

• TB test and physical examination as required
• Virtus training
• Fingerprinting
• Submit to criminal history and sex registry background checks
• Must be at least 18 years of age or older
• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Extensive background working in an early childhood setting

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate and receive information and ideas via oral and written methods.
• Ability to speak clearly so that it is understandable to a listener.
• Ability to perform physical activities that require moving one's whole body, such as in climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, where the activities often also require considerable use of the arms and legs, such as needed in the daily care of children.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills as outlined in duties on this job description.
• Preference will be given to candidates who have experience working with young children in an early childhood setting.

Pay

This position has an hourly salary range of $18.00 - $22.00. An employee's pay within the hourly range will be based on many factors including but not limited to: relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and organizational needs.

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.