Early Childhood Teacher Assistant in Newport News, VA

Summary

Calvary Chapel Christian Academy is seeking a caring, dependable, flexible, and high-engagement Early Childhood Teacher Assistant to support our early childhood classrooms. This role is ideal for someone who genuinely loves children, works well on a team, remains attentive throughout the day, and is committed to helping create a safe, structured, nurturing, and Christ-centered classroom environment.

At Calvary Chapel Christian Academy, we are committed to providing excellent care and Christ-centered education in an environment shaped by faith, servant leadership, professionalism, and meaningful relationships. Our school culture is guided by our REACH mantra: Reach Up, In, Around, and Out. Team members are expected to support and uphold the Christian mission of the academy, model Christ-like character, and contribute to a positive, respectful, and mission-driven workplace.

This is a hands-on, high-engagement role that requires active supervision, consistency in following classroom procedures, strong teamwork, and genuine care for children. The ideal candidate is flexible, coachable, reliable, and willing to work with different age groups as needed based on classroom and academy needs. This position also offers an opportunity for professional growth and advancement within the academy.

Duties

• Support the Lead Teacher in maintaining a safe, structured, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment.
• Maintain active supervision of children at all times during classroom activities, transitions, meals, play, rest time, and daily routines.
• Remain fully engaged with children throughout the workday and help create a calm, orderly, and well-managed classroom environment.
• Support classroom routines, transitions, learning activities, and behavior expectations with consistency and professionalism.
• Assist with diaper changing, toileting routines, handwashing, feeding support, naptime routines, and other hands-on classroom care responsibilities as assigned.
• Follow all classroom procedures consistently, including supervision expectations, sanitation protocols, hygiene routines, diapering procedures, and daily care responsibilities.
• Assist with classroom setup, preparation of learning materials, cleanup, and maintaining classroom organization throughout the day.
• Help sanitize toys, surfaces, and classroom materials and support a classroom that remains clean, orderly, and inspection-ready.
• Be flexible and willing to support different classrooms or age groups as needed based on staffing and operational needs.
• Greet families professionally during arrival and dismissal and maintain confidentiality regarding student and family information.
• Demonstrate teamwork, flexibility, and a positive attitude while supporting the Lead Teacher and fellow staff members.
• Receive direction, correction, and feedback professionally and contribute to a healthy classroom and staff culture.
• Refrain from personal cell phone use during classroom hours except as authorized for academy purposes or emergencies.
• Model Christ-like character, servant leadership, professionalism, and genuine care in all interactions with children, families, coworkers, and leadership.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience working with young children preferred.
• Genuine love for children, with patience, attentiveness, warmth, and care in daily interactions.
• Flexibility and willingness to work with different age groups as needed.
• Strong attentiveness and the ability to remain actively engaged with children throughout the workday.
• Ability to follow classroom procedures, health and safety expectations, and academy policies consistently.
• Comfort with diapering, toileting, feeding, handwashing, and other hands-on classroom care responsibilities.
• Reliability, commitment, and a strong work ethic, including consistent attendance and punctuality.
• Ability to arrive on time, prepared, and ready to actively support classroom operations.
• Positive attitude, professionalism, emotional maturity, and a team-oriented approach to classroom responsibilities.
• Coachability and willingness to receive direction and feedback well.
• Understanding that personal cell phone use during classroom hours is not permitted except as authorized by academy leadership.
• Ability to communicate respectfully and professionally with families, coworkers, and leadership.
• Commitment to supporting and upholding the Christian mission of Calvary Chapel Christian Academy and contributing to a Christ-centered environment.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, assist children during daily routines, and remain active throughout the workday.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in an early childhood classroom
• Strong teamwork and classroom support skills
• Warm and professional family communication
• Experience supporting a classroom that is organized, clean, and inspection-ready
• Ability to work with both structure and flexibility
• Experience supporting infants, toddlers, or preschool-age children

Benefits

• Competitive hourly pay
• Christ-centered work environment
• Supportive school leadership
• Professional growth and development opportunities
• Opportunity for growth and advancement within the academy
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families