Early Childhood Teacher Assistant

About the role

Job Group: Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree

About the role

The Child Development Laboratory School in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies is seeking an Assistant Early Childhood Teacher. The Assistant Early Childhood Teacher fosters a safe, engaging, and inclusive learning environment, communicates with families as needed, and works with the classroom teachers and other program staff to support high-quality early childhood education.

Collaborates with faculty, staff, and students within the Department of Human Development and Family Studies and across Iowa State University to support research, teaching, student learning, and interdisciplinary initiatives.

The Child Development Laboratory School is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), licensed by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, and maintains a 5-Star rating through Iowa Quality for Kids (IQ4K). The program also serves as a teaching and learning laboratory for students in the Early Childhood Education Program.

Example of Duties

• Collaborates with the teachers in the room to supervise the classroom.
• Serves as a role model for best practice in the classroom.
• Observe, document, and communicate children's behavioral and developmental needs while collaborating with families and colleagues.
• Maintains a safe classroom through adherence to HHS, NAEYC, IQ4K, CACFP, Caring for Our Children, and other safety standards recognized by the field of early childhood.
• Maintains adherence to state "teacher to child" ratios for their age group.
• Engages with parents' daily, initiating written and/or face-to-face communication taking into consideration the communication needs of those with varied cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Assists in partnerships with departments on campus to encourage non HDFS student use of the Lab School.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with children from birth through age five in group early childhood settings, including supporting children with special needs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices and early childhood development.
• Experience planning, implementing, and assessing developmentally appropriate curriculum and learning experiences.
• Strong collaboration and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively with children, families, and colleagues.
• State of Iowa teaching license (initial, standard, or master) in Early Childhood Education or Early Childhood Special Education or Elementary Education with an Early Childhood Education Endorsement (endorsement 100, 1001, 262 and/or 103).

Additional information

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Application Instructions

To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Letter of Application/Cover Letter
• Why Choose Iowa State University?

Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program
• Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email, or call or Toll Free:.

• Appointment Type: Regular
• Number of Months Employed Per Year: 12 Month Work Period
• Time Type: Full time

Pay Grade

PS804

Original Posting Date: August 3, 2026

Job Requisition Number: R19686

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.