Assistant Teacher

We invite you to join our team as an Assistant Teacher. This role is pivotal in creating memorable and enriching experiences for our young learners during their after-school hours.

About compassbusinesssolutionsinc

Manchester Youth Development Center (MYDC) is a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the lives of children, families, and communities.

Our mission is to create a welcoming, safe, and caring environment, nurturing academic, social, and emotional development to empower youth to become engaged, productive citizens.

Our holistic approach focuses on positive goal-setting and family mobilization, serving as a catalyst for lasting change in our community.

We provide a comprehensive range of educational, recreational, and social programs, equipping young individuals with the skills and confidence necessary for success, and are committed to making a profound impact on the lives of youth in Manchester.

Responsibilities

• Support Instructional Delivery: Assist the Lead Teacher in implementing engaging lesson plans that align with early learning standards, individual child goals, and MYDC’s mission to empower young learners.
• Facilitate Learning: Support daily classroom instruction through whole-group, small-group, and individualized activities that nurture curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning.
• Foster a Positive Learning Environment: Promote a safe, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate classroom where every child feels valued, respected, and supported.
• Prepare and Organize Learning Spaces: Assist in creating and maintaining inviting learning centers and educational materials that encourage exploration and hands-on discovery.
• Model Positive Behavior: Demonstrate and reinforce pro-social behaviors, classroom expectations, and social-emotional learning strategies to help children build empathy, self-regulation, and cooperation.
• Engage in Meaningful Play: Facilitate play-based learning experiences that promote foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
• Ensure Child Safety and Supervision: Supervise children actively and attentively in all settings—including classrooms, playgrounds, field trips, and during transitions—to maintain a safe and nurturing environment.
• Support Daily Care Routines: Assist with serving meals and snacks in accordance with health, nutrition, and safety protocols.
• Maintain Accurate Records: Support documentation efforts by recording attendance, developmental observations, and other required data in compliance with DHS and Pre-K Counts standards.
• Collaborate with Families and Staff: Partner with families, colleagues, and leadership to foster open communication and consistency in children’s care and learning experiences.
• Uphold Health and Safety Standards: Maintain a clean, organized, and well-prepared classroom environment that meets regulatory and programmatic guidelines.
• Engage in Professional Growth: Participate in required trainings, professional development, and credentialing opportunities to support continuous improvement and quality enhancement.
• Provide Classroom Leadership as Needed: Assume instructional responsibilities and classroom management duties in the absence of the Lead Teacher to ensure continuity of care and learning.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree in early childhood education, Child Development, or a related field required.

Certification

• Pennsylvania Early Childhood Education Certification (Pre-K–4) preferred or the ability to obtain certification within one year.
• Minimum of two years of experience working in an early childhood setting. Experience supporting curriculum development and classroom management strongly preferred.
• Obtain and maintain current clearances (PA Child Abuse, Criminal Background, FBI Fingerprint).
• Current Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required or willingness to obtain within 30 days of employment.
• Completion of mandated reporter training.
• Knowledge of Early Childhood Development: Demonstrates a strong understanding of child development principles, early learning standards, and best practices in early education.
• Instructional Support Skills: Capable of assisting in lesson planning, classroom implementation, and ongoing observation and assessment of children’s progress.
• Technical Proficiency: Comfortable using Google Workspace (Docs, Drive, Slides, Gmail) and other digital tools to support classroom documentation, communication, and collaboration.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.

Pay

The compensation for this role is starting at $20.25 - $24.00/hour, depending on relevant experience and alignment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Collaboration and Communication: Exhibits excellent interpersonal, organizational, and teamwork skills with the ability to build positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues.
• Cultural Responsiveness and Inclusion: Committed to MYDC’s mission of nurturing lifelong learners through equitable, inclusive, and culturally responsive early education.
• Professionalism and Reliability: Demonstrates dependability, adaptability, and a proactive approach to supporting classroom needs and program goals.