Assistant Preschool Teacher Long-Term Sub: start date TBD

Description

Free Union Country School (preschool through fifth grade) is located in Albemarle County, VA, just 15 minutes outside of Charlottesville. We are a community where learning is valued for children and adults, individuals are respected, diversity is understood as a strength, and teamwork is essential. Children possess an intrinsic and deep love of learning. It is our job to create an environment that supports intellectual curiosity, creativity, self-confidence, kindness, and respect. To this end, we use experiential, inquiry-based, and collaborative methods of teaching with attention given to academic and social development.

We seek a 5-day-a-week (up to 30 hours per week) Assistant Teacher in our Early Childhood classroom. Duties and responsibilities include:

Classroom Support: Work closely with the Lead Teacher to implement daily lessons and activities. Assist in preparing and organizing the classroom each day.

Facilitate Play-Based Learning: Engage with children during free-play, circle time, and small-group activities, nurturing their curiosity and problem-solving skills. Support each child’s ideas and creativity, allowing the curriculum to emerge from their natural curiosities.

Assist with Routines and Care: Guide children through daily routines with patience and care. Help children serve themselves when appropriate and promote good hygiene and manners. Provide caring support during toileting routines and handwashing.

Social-Emotional Support: Foster a positive, inclusive classroom community. Model warm, respectful interactions and guide children in developing social-emotional skills like sharing, empathy, and self-regulation.

Collaborate with Teachers and Families: Be an active, communicative member of our teaching community. Work side-by-side with the Lead Teacher and other staff to ensure consistency and high quality in all classroom activities. Communicate openly with colleagues and families.

Skills Required

Preferred Qualities:
Education: College degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field (Child Development, Early Elementary, etc.) is highly preferred. A Bachelor’s degree is ideal, but an Associate’s degree combined with relevant experience will be considered.

Certification: Current Infant/Child First Aid and CPR certification or willingness to obtain certification promptly upon hire​.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Excellent communication skills with both children and adults. The ability to speak with children at their level, listen actively, and convey instructions with clarity and warmth.

Personal Qualities: A warm, nurturing demeanor with a genuine passion for working with young children is essential​. The ideal candidate is kind, positive, and compassionate. Creativity, flexibility, and a sense of joy in the little everyday successes of children will help you thrive in our environment.

We are a community committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and strongly encourage applicants who will help us advance those values.

Work Schedule

Approximately:
Monday-Friday 8am-1:30pm

Additional Info

How to Apply:
Please submit the following materials to mail@freeunioncountryschool.org:
Letter of application addressed to Laura Swindler, Director of Teaching and Learning
Resume or curriculum vitae
Brief statement of educational philosophy
Contact information for three professional references

NONDISCRIMINATION: Free Union Country School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identification, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its staffing, admissions, tuition assistance, educational policies, extracurricular or other school-administered programs.