The New England Center for Children·Phoenix, Arizona
The assistant teacher will provide high-quality, inclusive care for children aged 15 months to 5 years, implementing play-based interactions to promote social-emotional, physical, and cognitive development. This role involves supporting lead teachers, maintaining a safe classroom, and communicating daily progress with parents.
Preschool Teacher - Assistant Lead Positions Available! Full-time/On-site Are you energetic, playful, and passionate about early childhood? SARRC is looking for a Preschool assistant who understands that for a preschooler, play is learning. In this role, you will be on the front lines of discovery, using play-based interactions to help children navigate their world. You will support an inclusive classroom where children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) learn side-by-side. Your primary goal is to ensure every child feels safe, seen, and engaged in the joy of learning. Skills & Responsibilities Inclusive Childcare & Support
Provide high-quality care for children aged 15 months – 5 years in a fast-paced environment.
Implement inclusive practices that ensure children of all ability levels are engaged and supported.
Maintain a safe, nurturing, and clean classroom environment.
Instructional Assistance
Lead and assist in activities designed to promote social-emotional learning, physical coordination, and cognitive development.
Support the creation of lesson plans while adapting your approach to meet the unique learning styles of individual children.
Help facilitate transitions between activities using positive supports.
Communication & Collaboration
Work effectively alongside Lead and Senior Teachers, as well as Behavior Therapists.
Communicate clearly and professionally with parents regarding their child’s daily progress and well-being.
Career Growth & Progression This is an entry-level position designed to be a launchpad for your career in education or behavioral health. At SARRC, we believe in promoting from within and providing our staff with the tools to specialize. By joining our team, you will have the opportunity to pursue two distinct professional pathways:
The Preschool Pathway: Advance into a Lead or Senior level Teacher role within our inclusive preschool environment.
The Clinical ABA Pathway: Gain the foundational experience necessary to transition into a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) role within the Community School program.
Salary $17/hr DOE
Our Story Established in 1997 by two mothers of children with autism and their developmental pediatrician, SARRC is an internationally recognized nonprofit with a mission to advance research and provide a lifetime of support for individuals with autism and their families. As the state of Arizona’s largest nonprofit serving the autism community, SARRC conducts innovative research, provides evidence-based practices, disseminates effective training, and builds inclusive communities.
A High School Diploma or equivalent is required, with coursework in Early Childhood Education or Psychology preferred. Previous experience with preschool-aged children is preferred, and experience working with children with ASD or developmental disabilities is considered a significant advantage.
Market context
Teaching assistant roles in Arizona are typically in steady demand, especially in K-12 settings that need classroom support, student supervision, and help with instruction. Competition can be strong because employers often look for a high school diploma plus a paraprofessional exam or associate degree, experience with children, and the ability to obtain a Level One IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then confirm your documents and clearance status before applying.
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