Assistant teachers provide a high-quality early childhood program which ensures a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children while responding to the needs of families.  This position serves as a role model and mentor to students during field experience at the Children's Center and follows the curriculum we have in place and aid with helping the student workers and observers understand early childhood while using our hands on curriculum.

Required: 

• Associate’s degree or equivalent in child development, early childhood education, or related field
• One (1) year of experience or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. 
• CPR and First Aid certifications required.

Preferred: 

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in child development, early childhood education, or related field, 
• Three (3) years of experience.

Work Location:

• University of Tennessee – Chattanooga, TN Campus
• This is a fully on-site position.

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT Market Range: MR02
• Anticipated hiring salary: $15.75
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure 
• Find more information on UT Benefits 

• Organizing and supervising activities according to teachers’ direction and curriculum plan.
• Maintaining orderly classroom environment.
• Dispensing medication and providing first aid when necessary.
• Interacting with parents when children arrive and leave; assisting Lead teacher to communicate center philosophy to parents.
• Participating in team meetings and staff planning sessions.
• Participating in ongoing training opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills in early childhood education.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Read medication instructions and have the skills to administer medication.
• Ability to distinguish individual facial features at arm's length and across the room.
• Ability to evacuate all children and adults from the building in less than one minute.
• Ability to distinguish children's voices when out of visual range.

• Ability to climb playground equipment to remove a child from the setting.

   

Review of applications will begin on March 3, 2026, and continue until positions are filled.