Associate Instructor

Associate Instructor

JobID: 5173

• • Position Type:

    Early Childhood and Elementary School Teaching

  • Date Posted:

    9/29/2026

  • Location:

    The Friendship School

  Associate Instructor

  The Friendship School | Waterford, Connecticut

  Help young learners notice deeply, explore boldly, and create joyfully.

  LEARN, Southeastern Connecticut's Regional Educational Service Center, is seeking a caring, energetic, and student-centered Associate Instructor to join the team at LEARN's Friendship School (TFS) in Waterford, Connecticut.

  At TFS, we believe the earliest years of school should spark curiosity, build confidence, and create a lasting love of learning. Our Associate Instructors are important members of the classroom team, working alongside teachers to create engaging, inclusive, and joyful learning experiences for young children.

  You'll Thrive Here If You�

  • Believe every child deserves to feel known, valued, and successful at school.
  • Enjoy working closely with young children and helping them learn through exploration, play, and meaningful experiences.
  • Build positive, supportive relationships with students, families, and colleagues.
  • Are patient, flexible, dependable, and ready to jump in wherever students need you.
  • Value collaboration and enjoy being part of a team committed to continuous learning and improvement.
  • Bring warmth, enthusiasm, and a sense of possibility to your work each day.

  What You'll Do

  As an Associate Instructor, you'll partner with classroom teachers and other members of the school team to support students academically, socially, and emotionally. You will:

  • Support the planning and implementation of individual, small-group, and whole-class learning experiences.
  • Help create a safe, welcoming, and engaging classroom environment where children can learn, explore, and interact.
  • Assist teachers in identifying and supporting short- and long-term goals for students.
  • Observe student learning and help gather documentation of student growth and progress.
  • Support positive student behavior and the development of age-appropriate social-emotional skills.
  • Recognize and respond to the individual strengths, needs, interests, and differences of students.
  • Communicate important observations or concerns to the classroom teacher.
  • Maintain appropriate student records and protect student confidentiality.
  • Participate in professional learning and contribute to a collaborative school community.
  • Perform other responsibilities as needed to support students and the school community.

  What You'll Bring

  Candidates must have:

  • An associate degree or higher, or
  • A passing score on the ETS ParaPathways Assessment
  • Candidates without these credentials must be able to past the ParaPathways Assessment within 60 days for employment to continue

  Most importantly, we're looking for someone who believes in the potential of young children and wants to be part of a school community where learning is active, relationships matter, and adults work together to help every child thrive.

  Join LEARN

  At LEARN, you'll be part of a regional educational community committed to innovation, collaboration, and creating meaningful opportunities for students. Early LEARNing Magnet School offers the opportunity to help shape the beginning of a unique PK�12 magnet school pathway while making a difference for children during some of their most important years of development.

  Ready to help our youngest learners grow, discover, and thrive? We'd love to hear from you.

  Qualified applicants should apply online through LEARN's employment application under the Early Childhood and Elementary School Teaching category.

  LEARN Regional Educational Service Center is an equal opportunity employer.