Position Title: Early Childhood Teacher Assistant

(to apply for this position, please scroll to the bottom of this page)

FLSA Status: Non-exempt, hourly

Position Overview:

Pasadena Waldorf School (PWS) is seeking a passionate and enthusiastic Early Childhood Teacher Assistant to join our wonderful program. In this role, you will play a vital part in fostering an inclusive, nurturing, safe, and behavioral appropriate environment for preschool age children. You will support the lead class teacher in outdoor/indoor play, story and circle time, snacks/meals, and nap time. Join us and see how PWS offers a dynamic and vigorous academic curriculum that engages the whole human being and prepares our students to contribute as responsible participants in our evolving world. 

Reports to: EC Class Teacher and EC Site Supervisor 

Condition of Employment: At-will

Essential Duties & Responsibilities::

  • Work within your assigned class each school day in the work schedule agreed to within the Early Childhood department or assigned by the Pedagogical Administrator or College of Teachers. 

  • Work in a developmentally appropriate way with the social/emotional health of individual students and the class group. 

  • Lead both indoor and outdoor class activities in a variety of settings that incorporate free play, artistic and practical work, nature exploration, care for our surroundings, physical, pre-academic and social development. 

  • Follow lead teacher and department hygienic and supportive practice for naps and rest in the class, class transitions and other activities. 

  • Assist with daily tasks such as food preparation, dish washing, laundry, and cleaning.  

  • Supervise nap when assigned. 

  • Open availability for up to 3 weeks of PWS camp programming across the school year during school breaks. 

  • (Assistants may work more than 3 weeks if they are available and may be asked to work in a Lead role during camp if they are qualified.) 

  • Drop-off and pick-up duties when assigned. 

  • Coverage for outdoor play and meal duties when assigned. 

  • Participate in school festivals and events with the class during your regular work hours. 

  • Collaborate with other teachers to integrate students into the social life and culture of the whole school.  

  • Chaperone/lead class walks and activities. 

  • Occasional lead teacher substitution for class or other classes during your regular work hours as assigned. 

  • Participate in training and mentoring as scheduled within the Early Childhood department. 

  • Participate in mandatory school emergency safety drills when on campus. 

  • All other FT teacher assistant responsibilities as described in the hire letter and the PWS Employee Handbook 2025-2026, and those implemented by school administration within the tenure of your hire agreement. 

Additional Responsibilities:

  • Attendance at any mandatory professional development work arranged by the school or the Pedagogical Administrator.  

  • Fulfillment of mandatory professional development and required paperwork as described in the PWS Employee Handbook 2025-2026 and assigned by school administration. 

  • Support for Admissions and Enrollment procedures, providing feedback to the lead teacher, hosting and connecting with visiting students. 

Qualifications:

  • Successful completion and certificates for the Early Childhood credit courses required to work in a licensed childcare center (16 units). 

  • High School diploma or GED required, bachelor’s degree preferred. 

  • Previous experience working in a school with an Early Childhood program. 

  • Strong interpersonal skills, competence serving a diverse community of students, parents, other caregivers, and coworkers.  

  • Experience working with families of varied demographics. 

  • Flexibility and comfort multitasking.  

  • Ability to stay calm under pressure. 

  • Strong organizational, prioritization, and problem-solving skills. 

  • Strong verbal and written communication skills. 

Compensation: 

  • Pay range: $17.27-$19.57 per hour. 

  • This position is eligible for the generous PWS benefits package that includes: 

  • Medical, and dental, basic term life insurance/accidental death & dismemberment, long-term disability insurance, and complimentary mental health services through the employee assistance program (EAP).  

  • Employees may elect to pay into vision, identity theft, pet insurance, and a 403 (b) retirement plan. 

  • Paid sick leave, jury-duty, inclement weather, bereavement leave, and personal time off. 

  • 95% tuition remission for your dependent(s) to attend PWS pre-school through high school.   

Conditions of Employment:

  • Final hire and start date are contingent upon satisfactory reference checks. 

  • LiveScan fingerprint clearance for Early Childhood and non-Early Childhood. 

  • Negative Tuberculosis (TB) skin test or chest x-ray. 

  • Immunization record that shows proof of flu, pertussis (whooping cough), and measles vaccines. 

  • CPR/First Aid certification.   

Physical Working Conditions:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand for long periods. The employee must frequently reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk or hear; stand and walk; bend/stoop/twist/squat/kneel; fine motor manipulation. The employee must regularly lift and move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds. Anything over the weight limit should be done as a two-person lift or with a mechanical lift. 

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will spend time indoors and outdoors. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate; however, various tools and machinery used by the on-site maintenance teams may be loud for those with sensitive hearing.

Pasadena Waldorf School is an Equal Opportunity Employer and makes employment decisions based on merit. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.  

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact the HR/Payroll Manager to request assistance. This policy applies to all recruiting and hiring practices, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, professional development, and other terms and conditions of employment.

Job descriptions are written as a representative list of the ADA essential duties performed by the entire classification. They cannot include and are not intended to include every possible activity and task performed by every specific employee.  

To Apply   

  • Please submit a letter of introduction, resume, and contact information for three professional references using the button below.