Associate Teacher - Early Childhood Hybrid Classroom

Associate Teacher (Hybrid Classroom) - Job Description

About This Role

We are looking for forever learners who are excited to learn as much as their kids do! We believe that early learning teachers are engaged in critical work and offer compensation competitive with K12 schools. 

An Associate Teacher in our hybrid classroom (serving children 18 months–3 years) supports a joyful, Reggio-inspired indoor and outdoor learning experiences that foster each child’s growth and development. They guide the classroom team through strong instruction, observation, and family partnership, ensuring all children are supported, included, and thriving.

Early Childhood is Foundational for Brain Development: What happens before age 5 is foundational to all future learning. 90% of the brain is formed before age 5- before a child ever steps foot into a kindergarten classroom. Early Partners teachers are brain-builders, using complex vocabulary and exploring rich concepts with young children. 

About Early Partners

Our Vision: Transformed and equitable communities, where every child has access to high-quality early childhood education (ECE), every parent is empowered to lead, and every teacher is developed as a professional. 

Our Mission:  The mission of Early Partners is to prepare all children to meet or exceed developmental milestones before kindergarten, build a life-long love of learning, and unlock the limitless bounds of human potential in early childhood.

Our Values

• Learning: We view every moment as a chance to grow.

• Joy: We find meaning and delight in the work we do each day.

• Relationships: We build trust through meaningful connection with each other.

• Teamwork: We work together to accomplish our goals.

• Intentionality: We make thoughtful choices rooted in purpose and data.

• Responsibility: We take action to make our community stronger.

We currently operate a single school site in the Lower Garden District with 7 classrooms serving nearly 100 children from diverse backgrounds. This position is for one of our two new classrooms opening in November. We are planning to grow on our current campus and at future school sites across New Orleans. 

Teacher Development at Early Partners

Our teachers never stop learning and never stop growing. Here’s how:

• We provide ongoing, individualized support from a designated instructional leader at the center. Teachers have ongoing professional development and 1:1 coaching. 

• We use observation and documentation of children’s work and play as a tool to more deeply understand their learning and development. 

• Teachers document children’s learning process, analyze this documentation, and develop plans to more deeply engage learners. 

• Teachers have designated time to collaborate, observe each other’s classes, and meet to analyze student work and learning documentation.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Overview

• Lead and Associate Teachers are equal creative partners and co-lead work inside the classroom with kids. 

• Associate Teachers assist Lead Teachers in completion of deliverables, including but not limited to documentation, unit/lesson plans, formal communication to families, and compliance reporting.

• All Teammates at Early Partners are expected to develop strong, positive relationships with children, families, and our learning community.

• All Teachers are expected to collaborate inside and across classrooms in support of the mission. 

Support of Children  

• Work with a class of between 12-20 children (class size varies by age group), including leading brief periods of whole group time.

• Support the overall developmental needs of children, with an emphasis on social-emotional development, language and literacy development.

• Support in the creation of a physical learning environment that facilitates investigation, exploration, and creativity.

• Engage children in learning experiences across both indoor and outdoor environments, ensuring consistency and continuity.

• Support children’s transitions in a hybrid setting (e.g., moving between indoor and outdoor learning spaces, toileting, separation, and early peer interactions).

Communication with Families 

• Provide informal communication with families as needed (e.g. text, call, BW message). 

• Attend and participate in parent/family meetings.

• Attend and participate in Family Orientation meetings. 

• Provide input and support in writing progress reports 2x a year. 

• Occasionally attend Family engagement events outside of school hours. 

Documentation & Planning

• Act as a thought-partner in instructional planning and the creation of documentation.

• Contribute observations from both indoor and outdoor learning to help capture the full scope of children’s development and inquiry.

Compliance & Reporting

• Complete safety and compliance related documents (e.g. incident reports, daily check, etc…) 

• Complete data entry for TS-GOLD in accordance to LDOE guidelines. 

Mindsets, Beliefs, and Skills:

• Positive attitude and a strong growth mindset. Ability to demonstrate joy towards children, families, and teammates. 

• Desire to work in a startup organization focused on equity and poised for growth. 

• Have a deep belief in the abilities of all children to learn and the right of all children to a high-quality education. 

• Comfort with a flexible, hybrid environment that values outdoor learning as deeply as indoor classroom experiences.

Qualifications: 

• Child Development Associates Degree (CDA) or comparable qualification required.

• 3+ years of experience in a preschool, childcare, PreK, or early learning/elementary setting.

Compensation:

• Starting salary is based on previous experience ranging from $33,000-$36,000. 

• Benefits include medical, dental, vision, short-term disability insurance, maternity leave, paid school holidays, and 10 days of flexible PTO.  

To Apply

Please submit a résumé and cover letter to kim@earlypartners.org with the job title in the subject line. In your cover letter, please explain your interest in Early Partners, and your qualifications for the position. 

Early Partners encourages individuals of all identities and backgrounds to apply for this position. We are an equal opportunity employer, fully committed to hiring a talented and diverse group of individuals. Early Partners does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, national origin or ancestry, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other category protected by applicable law. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment. Early Partners does not sponsor employment visas.