Preschool Assistant Teacher

Portrait of an FCDS Educator

An educator at Forsyth Country Day School provides a safe, nurturing environment for students by utilizing the school's instructional program. The FCDS Educator creates meaningful, developmentally appropriate learning experiences to build strong foundational skills and relationships for lifelong learning. An FCDS Educator is committed to growth as a professional and values and respects every community member.

Assistant teachers serve in a supporting role to FCDS Educators to ensure the following responsibilities are fulfilled in the classroom.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• An FCDS Educator develops a balanced instructional program that:

• outlines learning goals that are content, experience, and skills-focused and aligned with curriculum standards

• uses a variety of effective instructional materials and resources informed by educational research and best practices

• Aligns with and is informed by assessment

• is a product of collaboration between teachers and/or across disciplines

• effectively incorporates the use of technology

• is inclusive of students with diverse backgrounds by valuing their educational, cultural, social, and linguistic perspectives

• An FCDS Educator creates a supportive learning environment that:

• Incorporates opportunities for student choice and voice in learning.

• Establishes and maintains consistent expectations for student participation and demonstration of learning.

• Encourages both individual and collaborative learning.

• Creates an age-appropriate learning environment.

• Supports learners' needs for organized and purposeful learning spaces.

• Meets standards for health and safety.

• An FCDS Educator implements best practices in teaching that:

• Include student choice and voice in learning.

• Expect individual and active student participation in acquiring knowledge and skills.

• Clearly communicate a structure or framework for classroom procedures and model expectations for performance and mastery.

• Demonstrate flexibility, responsiveness, and the ability to adjust to student needs by adapting lesson content, process, and/or products.

• Engage students in meaningful discussions by asking hard, honest, and open-ended questions.

• Structures and paces lessons/units appropriately for student learning.

• An FCDS Educator effectively utilizes assessments that:

• Are used both to inform instruction (formative) and evaluate student mastery (summative) of learning outcomes.

• Ensure student progress through intentional and specific feedback.

• Include the shared responsibility of learners by having them set goals and assess their own growth.

• Include both traditional and alternative forms of assessment to monitor student learning.

• Incorporate student self- and peer reflections to empower students.

• Are clearly communicated to students and parents.

• An FCDS Educator demonstrates a professional disposition that:

• Actively demonstrates our school's core values of curiosity, respect, responsibility, compassion, and integrity.

• Contributes to our FCDS community beyond the classroom setting.

• Models a positive attitude and supports others.

• Is a continuous and reflective learner who vigorously pursues knowledge.

• Effectively and regularly communicates with families.

• Displays a willingness to take initiative by setting professional goals, taking action, and monitoring progress.

• Strives to understand the perspectives of others and navigate differences by building professional relationships with colleagues.

• Respects the time and work of others by being punctual to work and meetings.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of and ability to support student's social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development

• Demonstrates effective classroom management skills

• Able to manage multiple tasks and priorities

• Effective problem-solving and analytical ability

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Strong organizational skills

• Ability to meet deadlines

PREFERENCES:

• Bachelor's degree in education or related field

• Three or more years of teaching experience

• Teaching license

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Regularly required to walk, including across uneven ground, talk, hear, reach with hands and arms, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds

• Must be able to sit and stand throughout the day, and bend, kneel, or squat to be at eye level with children.

• Must be able to operate a computer and have basic knowledge of Google Workspace

• Must be able to access and navigate all areas of the school and other facilities as needed

• Must be able to utilize oral and written communication skills effectively