Early Childhood Assistant Teacher

Swallowtail School is seeking a warm, dependable, and nurturing Early Childhood Assistant Teacher. The Assistant Teacher supports the Lead Teacher in providing a Waldorf Early Childhood education for children in Swallowtail’s Early Childhood program. In the forefront of our work will be warmth, rhythm, health, safety, professionalism, a reverence for nature and for one another.

Swallowtail School serves approximately 150 students from PreK through Grade 8. We are located at the intersection of rural Oregon farmland and the Portland suburbs, with a main campus in Cornelius and a farm property a few minutes away in Hillsboro.

At Swallowtail, we are fortunate to have an exceptionally committed and supportive community of families, and a close-knit collegial group that value working together in collaboration. We have a thriving Early Childhood program with one preschool and two mixed-age kindergartens, and those classes are usually full with a wait list. Grades classes range from 12-18 students. They are well supported by subject offerings (Music, Handwork, Spanish, Movement, Agricultural Arts, Middle School Math, and Eurythmy in blocks).

Grades and Early Childhood classes spend one day per week in the fall and spring at our farm property, where they work with our Agricultural Arts Teacher and full-time Farmer to deepen their connection to and understanding of the land.

Assist the Lead Teacher in the morning rhythm of the classroom

Lead the full day afternoon program, including rest, snack, and additional activity or play time

Lead morning session when Lead Teacher is out, based on established lesson plans

Assist with classroom prep and set-up in the mornings before class, including materials, snack

Participate in regular mentoring meetings with Lead Teacher, set professional growth goals

Attentive supervision of students with an eye to safety at all times

Model appropriate behavior and work worthy of imitation

Demonstrate warmth, compassion and love while holding appropriate boundaries with children

Daily care to maintain a clean and orderly classroom

Attending Early Childhood meetings, as needed

Other relevant tasks as assigned by Class Lead or Early Childhood Chair

A dedication to Waldorf Education

Current CPR, First Aid, and Food Handlers (within 30 days of hire)

Maintain current enrollment in the Oregon Central Background Registry

Annual completion of 15 hours of relevant training (must be pre approved, copy of completion certificate submitted to the Oregon Registry and School Director)

Completion of Safety Set trainings from Early Learning Division (prior to first day in classroom)