Employment Type: Part Time, 10 months, benefits-eligible

Expected Work Days/Hours: M-F / 11:30-3:30pm plus additional times for planning (PM Class)

Start Date: August 2026

Job Summary

Paideia is an independent pre K-12 college preparatory school in the Emory University area of Atlanta. The half day program consists of separate morning and afternoon classes for children 3, 4, and 5 years old. The morning class is from 8:15 to 11:30 a.m., and the afternoon class is from 11:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Each group has its own team of teachers. This position is for the Afternoon class. Teachers in the half day classes promote social, emotional and intellectual growth through a rich environment emphasizing exploration, imagination, interaction, and communication.

Each class is staffed by a lead teacher, two general assistant teachers, and an Art Teacher. The teachers are experts in child development and skilled at making fine-tuned observations of individual differences in children and in designing experiences that promote each child's development. Our belief is that play in childhood forms the foundation upon which learning is based. Teachers are actively engaged with children throughout the day. The ongoing goal is to foster language and communication, expansion of ideas, connections with other children, and problem solving. Much of the time is spent in spontaneous play and interaction.

The half-day program is intentionally designed to foster certain qualities, attitudes, and skills; we want our children:

- to love to come to school; to love learning

- to feel safe, happy, and valued;

- to feel secure enough to take risks because that's how growth and learning happen;

- to enjoy using their minds and bodies to acquire skills, solve problems, and meet challenges;

- to take initiative and responsibility;

- to learn to make constructive choices;

- to develop their own affinities;

- to use the resources of this rich environment to pursue their interests.

As teachers, we want:

- to really listen to the children and pay close attention to what they are doing so that they feel known and appreciated for who they are;

- to help the children celebrate what they can do right now and expand their skills, knowledge, and understanding;

- to join children in what they are doing and stretch them to try something they might be ready for or challenge their thinking in appropriate ways.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

Within the Classroom:

• Provide tools and resources for children to use and explore during learning and play activities
• Adapt teaching methods and materials to meet the interests/learning styles of children
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with children and parents ? Support development of social skills
• Provide appropriate supervision for children at all times
• Focus on the importance of middle room and developing play and skills in this space
• Focus on the importance of block room and developing play and skills in this space
• Create a positive, engaging, and safe learning environment
• Manage student concerns effectively by communicating with the Half Day Principal and the Lead Teacher

Outside the Classroom:

• Attend faculty meetings monthly (1.5 hours/month with teaching team)
• Attend all school faculty meetings
• Set up and assist with Middle room activities
• Participate in professional development opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge
• Maintain a professional and collaborative partnership with the teaching team

Other Duties:

• Other duties as assigned in support of Paideia’s mission to provide the best educational experience for the school’s students, families, and community.

Required Skills and Abilities 

Important personal qualities include a love and understanding of children and early childhood; a knowledge, understanding, and successful exhibition of learning strategies to support all students in learning; the ability to work collaboratively as a part of a team; and the ability to create a positive, nurturing environment for the student; a desire to participate in the life of the Paideia community. 

Minimum Qualifications 

We are looking for someone with a minimum of 3-5 years of experience working in schools with 3 - 5 year olds strongly preferred, and a commitment to a play-based curriculum. A BA is required, early elementary education is preferred.

Application Notes

Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references via our online application.

Salary is commensurate with education and experience. A benefits package is offered for benefits-eligible positions. The Paideia School is an equal opportunity employer.

For more information about our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, our focus on both social and emotional learning with rigorous academic offerings and opportunities for extra curricular learning, please visit our website at www.paideiaschool.org

About The Paideia School

Paideia is a K-12 college preparatory school of 999 students in the Emory University area of Atlanta; the elementary school enrolls 333 students. The elementary program includes twelve full-day, self-contained classrooms grades K-6. There are two teachers in each class of twenty-six to twenty-eight children. Teachers work together as lead teacher and assistant or as two co-lead teachers. Other than classes with specialists including art, music, physical education, and library, children remain with their own teachers throughout the day. We believe the constellation of relative strengths and weaknesses among any group of students can differ widely; teachers decide when and how to offer extra help, when and where to augment a task to provide extra challenge, and when and why to take a step back to allow a child to process information. Social development is an integral part of a child’s maturation. Teachers help children learn how to work together cooperatively and effectively.

Connections working at The Paideia School