CDLS Assistant Teacher

About the Job

The Assistant Teacher is responsible for assisting a classroom of children from all backgrounds and identities in accordance with the policies and philosophy of CDLS and the Institute of Child Development. This includes assisting in establishing a learning environment that is inclusive and developmentally age-appropriate, developing emergent curriculum, supervising, and monitoring child development, providing high-quality care, maintaining classroom materials, first aid, and daily health checks. The Assistant Teacher also supports and advances the school's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Assistant Teacher works in collaboration with the classroom lead teacher to plan and implement a high-quality, responsive, enriching, and supportive learning environment that is respectful of each child's background, development, and needs. The weekly curriculum and learning experiences are rich with relational experiences designed to support the development of a range of social, emotional, self-help, language, literacy, cognitive, and motor skills.

This position is based on campus. All UMN employees are expected to follow applicable public health and safety procedures. This position is for 40 hours per week (100% Full-time equivalent). The University offers employees total rewards with meaningful benefits, including medical and dental, life insurance retirement savings, flexible spending accounts, tuition benefits, and an award-winning Wellbeing Program.

Bargaining unit consideration begins on June 5, 2026 and ends on June 11, 2026.

$22.39 - $23.25/hour

Monday- Friday, 40 Hours/Week

Shift times may vary but will be between 7:15am - 5:45pm

No weekend or overtime work.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Job Responsibilities:

Classroom Support (30%)

• Assist in establishing and maintaining an inclusive, professional, and safe learning space for children of all backgrounds, identities, abilities, and developmental stages in compliance with MN DHS licensing and NAEYC accreditation standards, as well as relevant federal laws.
• In conjunction with the lead teacher, plan and execute a consistent daily visible schedule of routines and activities.
• In the absence of a lead teacher, plan and execute daily curriculum routines.
• Conduct daily checks of the environment; assign, monitor, and follow up on the health and safety of the children and ensure the supervision of children are within sight and sound as per NAEYC and MN DHS Licensing (indoors and outdoors).
• Maintain and secure the confidentiality of information and records regarding staff, children, and families.
• Participate in ongoing reflection (monthly and yearly) on the evaluation of the program and personal professional development aligning with performance and job responsibilities.

Curriculum (30%)

• Participate in planning and implementing emergent curriculum for children in a developmentally appropriate and inclusive environment.
• Use small groups, reflective practice, and observations when supporting the planning and implementation of learning experiences.
• Collaborate with the lead teacher to help plan and implement curriculum, centering the educational work with children on their emerging interests and on their learning.
• Assist in developing the child's role as an integral member of their learning community through developing the child's self-image and competence.
• Assist in preparing materials required for daily instruction and classroom environment for the children.

Documentation and Assessment (20%)

• Assist in collecting data, including photos and quotes about individual children's learning and development.
• Partner with the lead teacher to complete regular assessments about children.
• Assist in reviewing assessments and documentation of children's learning to revisit, reflect, and extend emergent curriculum, investigations, and small group explorations.
• Update and extend documentation to reflect children's work, processes, questions, and dialogues between teacher-to-child, child-to-child, with encounters, investigations, and projects.

Communication (20%)

• Assist in maintaining open verbal and written communication with parents regarding child development, behavior issues, parent education, and other child-related issues.
• Regularly communicate parent, child, and/or staff issues with the classroom teachers (i.e., concerned parents, a child's behavior problems, or an employee's performance issues).
• Utilize Storypark to communicate with families about children's development, curriculum, and daily routines.
• Regularly communicate and collaborate with fellow teachers.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• A combination of education, and teacher experience that meets State of MN State Human Services Licensing Act, Rule 3 (9503.0033) requirements for an Assistant Child Care Teacher, such as a high school diploma or the equivalent, at least 12 quarter credits (8 semester credits) in early childhood education from an accredited post-secondary school, and 2,080 hours as an aide or intern. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/9503.0033/ for additional qualifications.
• Have or be willing to obtain within 90 days, 8 hours of approved first aid training and Infant CPR.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with children and families from all backgrounds and identities.
• Pass background fingerprint study and reference verification that meets the requirements of the State of MN State Human Services Licensing Act, Rule 11.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to repeatedly perform each of the following:

• Physically supervise young children, protecting and preventing harm to them.
• Immediately respond to emergency situations.
• Visually and aurally observe children in their environment.
• Bend, stoop, stand, reach, squat, sit (on the floor and/or child-size chairs).
• Carry and lift children weighing between 30-50 pounds.
• Push 4-6 seat stroller while walking with children (infants and toddlers).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in providing daily care, developmentally appropriate education, and supervision of young children from a variety of backgrounds, identities, and communities.
• Ability to observe children and adapt curriculum based on their developmental needs and interests.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, with people from a variety of backgrounds and identities.
• Demonstrated ability to articulate an understanding of child development and best teaching practices.
• Strong collaboration skills to effectively partner with colleagues, parents, and children in a professional manner.
• Proven ability to work independently, take initiative, and prioritize.

About the Department

About the CDLS:

The Child Development Laboratory School (CDLS) is housed in the Institute of Child Development in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota and is responsible for the development and implementation of a high-quality preschool program that promotes best practices in Early Childhood Education.

About the Department:

The Institute of Child Development (ICD) at the University of Minnesota has long been a premier center for scholarship, teaching, and outreach devoted to the understanding and fostering of child development. Founded in 1925, the Institute is one of the oldest departments studying children's development in the United States. From its inception, a key tenet of the department has been to "give away" child psychology. This philosophy has created an environment rich with collaborations, new ideas, and exciting interdisciplinary work. The ICD is housed within the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) and has an undergraduate program within the College of Liberal Arts (CLA).

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the Universitys third largest college, contributes to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of life. We know diversity is necessary to do our best work and foster our humanity. That's why the CEHD community is collectively dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment, embracing and celebrating all identities of our students, staff, and faculty. These values are also a moral imperative requiring continuous proactive measures and a firm stance against prejudice, discrimination, and systemic injustice.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $22.39 - $23.25; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the

time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures

that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while

maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and

equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates

will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a resume.

Required application materials: Resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nations most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.