Grades Teaching Assistant (Full-Time)

About the role

We are seeking a dedicated Grades teaching assistant for our Los Altos, CA campus. This role is an hourly, full-time position supporting our Grades classrooms, with possible work opportunities during school breaks and summers, and when camps are offered. Availability Monday through Friday 7:45 am - 3:15 pm is required.

Position Expectations

The ideal candidate will demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills, strong organizational abilities, and the capacity to multitask while taking ownership of the diverse needs of young children and the classroom environment. Responsibilities encompass supporting indoor and outdoor activities, supervising children, and performing daily housekeeping and classroom maintenance duties.

Daily tasks include tracking student arrivals and departures; supervising and supporting children's activities, development, and social interactions; communicating effectively with parents and colleagues; and maintaining an orderly, welcoming classroom environment, organizing and managing classroom materials and spaces, food preparation, laundry, and general cleaning.

The ideal candidate will bring a loving, playful, and confident presence to their work with children, balancing warmth and responsiveness with appropriate authority and consistent boundaries. They will demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in an ever-changing environment while maintaining the rhythms, routines, and structures that provide young children with a sense of security and stability.

Previous experience working with children is required. Candidates must be physically able to remain active throughout the workday, including walking, bending, squatting, lifting approximately 25 pounds, and actively engaging in play and other physical activities with children.

Staff members are expected to exercise sound judgment, maintain a strong awareness of safety, and approach challenges with thoughtful problem-solving and discernment. The ability to maintain the confidentiality of student, family, and organizational information is essential.

Responsibilities

All employees are expected to demonstrate effective communication, problem-solving, and prioritization skills while contributing to a positive, collaborative, and supportive workplace.

In collaboration with Waldorf School of the Peninsula faculty, responsibilities include:

• Foster positive, respectful relationships with all children, families, and colleagues.
• Help create and maintain a warm, nurturing, and welcoming environment for young children and their families.
• Build collaborative partnerships with colleagues to support a cohesive, respectful, and effective workplace.
• Support Lead Teachers in carrying out classroom activities, routines, and responsibilities as directed.
• Assist with the supervision, care, and daily needs of children, both indoors and outdoors.
• Perform light housekeeping, classroom organization, and child-related maintenance duties to ensure a clean, orderly, and safe environment.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma required; Bachelors degree preferred
• Minimum age: 18 years old
• Must be able to perform and meet the physical demands required in this capacity (ability to sit on the floor, bend at the waist, kneel and/or stop most of the time)
• Complete a California criminal record clearance via DOJ, FBI
• Build a supportive and collaborative environment
• Manage frequent interactions with parents, teachers, and students, as well as an interesting variety of daily challenges.

Additional information

The role is ideal for an individual with strong leadership capacities who has an interest in teaching and Waldorf Education.

Actual weekly schedules are determined by the Pedagogical Administrator based upon program needs in consultation with staff.

Benefits and Compensation

• Compensation for this position is $24 - $26 an hour.
• Waldorf School of the Peninsula provides medical, dental, and vision coverage for the employee and their dependents.
• A generous tuition remission benefit is available for children of the employee.