Junior Kindergarten Classroom Aide

Job Description

Junior Kindergarten Classroom Aide | St. Matthew’s Catholic School

The Tone:
This is an on-site role at St. Matthew’s Catholic School, located in Virginia Beach, VA. St. Matthew’s Catholic School is an educational institution dedicated to fostering academic excellence, spiritual growth, and the development of the whole child in a nurturing, faith-filled environment. This role is crucial for supporting the lead teacher in creating a stimulating and supportive learning space for our youngest students, ensuring their spiritual, social, emotional, and cognitive development aligned with Christ-centered values.

The TL;DR
• Role: Full Time
• Type: Full-time
• Location: Virginia Beach, VA
• Team: Supports the lead teacher within the Junior Kindergarten team.
• Mission: To facilitate a supportive and stimulating learning environment that fosters the spiritual, social, emotional, and cognitive development of Junior Kindergarten students within a Christ-centered curriculum.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Instructional Support: Assist the lead teacher in planning and implementing age-appropriate educational activities and lessons across various subjects, including faith formation, literacy, math, and motor skills.
• Student Supervision: Supervise children during classroom activities, recess, snack time, lunch, and transitions, ensuring their safety and well-being at all times.
• Individualized Care: Provide individualized attention and support to students as needed, helping with academic tasks, personal care (e.g., toileting, handwashing), and emotional regulation to foster spiritual, social, and emotional growth.
• Classroom Management: Help prepare classroom materials, organize learning centers, and maintain a clean, organized, and inviting learning environment while supporting the implementation of classroom management strategies.
• Observation & Reporting: Observe and document student behavior and progress, reporting insights and concerns to the lead teacher to aid in individualized instruction and support student development.
• Community Engagement: Assist with school-wide events and parent communications, modeling Catholic values and teachings in all interactions to uphold the school’s mission.

The Must-Haves
• Background: High School Diploma or equivalent required, with a genuine love for children and a passion for early childhood education rooted in Catholic values and a commitment to the mission of Catholic education.
• Experience: Previous experience working with young children (ages 3-5) in a school or childcare setting is highly desirable, demonstrating warmth, high energy, and exceptional patience with young children.
• Skills: Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with teachers, parents, and school staff, and the flexibility to follow directions and adapt to the dynamic needs of the classroom.
• Bonus: An Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field, along with CPR and First Aid certification.