Position Type: Temporary Contract (Maternity Cover)
Division: Early Elementary (Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten)
Reports To: Director of Student & Family Support
Start Date: October 20, 2025
End Date: February 27, 2026
Status: Full-Time, Exempt
All UCDS employees are expected to embody the school’s mission to design a culture of inquiry essential to meaningful learning; cultivate reflective, collaborative, skillful thinkers who ignite positive change in their communities; and engage diverse perspectives in an ongoing effort to shape and share our innovative education model.
Overview
University Child Development School (UCDS) located in Seattle, Washington is an independent school serving 390+ Infant/Toddler, Early Elementary (Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten) and Elementary (1st through 5th grade) students. In addition, the UCDS education institution comprises the UCDS Graduate School of Education. UCDS uniquely serves to prepare teachers, educate children, and develop innovations in curriculum and teaching. UCDS’s unique design as a place where both teachers and children learn, where early-career teachers develop their practice, and where experienced teachers research and design curriculum, gives rise to its innovation. The Master of Education program is the evolution of UCDS’ deep history of developing and supporting exceptional educators.
Job Summary
Learning Support Teachers enhance the individualized learning of UCDS students. They are collaborative members of the faculty, working in tandem with classroom teachers to support student success. Learning Support Teachers report directly to the Director of Student and Family Support, providing a wide range of services under their guidance. They may support student growth indirectly by providing additional strategies to classroom teachers, or they may work directly with students to help them accomplish classroom tasks and/or practice academic skills. Learning Support Teachers are consistently looking for new tools and strategies, and share these resources with their colleagues in planning and staffing meetings. They work closely with classroom teachers to maintain systems for assessing and documenting student growth and are active participants in determining the best steps to promote that growth. Learning Support Teachers support communication between the school and families by participating in parent/guardian conferences. They also contribute their efforts to yearly school endeavors, such as standardized testing and the Admission process.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Support individualized student goals indirectly by supporting teachers and curriculum, and directly by working with students
- Design individualized student support and adapt strategies as student needs change
- Be a collaborative member of each teaching team
- Actively participate in planning meetings
- Participate in parent/guardian conferences, as needed
- Conduct internal assessments/screenings
- Maintain systems to document student progress over time
- Share professional development resources with the UCDS teaching community
- Assist with internal workshops and in-services
- Maintain case notes on student support sessions
- Plan and implement small group instruction integrated within the curriculum (e.g,. Language Groups, Math Skills groups, etc.)
- Participate in classroom instruction as needed
- Commitment to equity and inclusion practices
Education &/or Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Education, Special Education, or a related field; graduate degree preferred
- 3+ years of teaching experience
Qualifications
- High-energy and enthusiastic about working in an educational setting with young children
- An ability to participate in student field trips during the school day, or elementary overnight trips
- An interest and willingness to closely collaborate with classroom teachers and other members of the Learning Support Team
- Knowledge of different learning profiles
- Knowledge of administering and interpreting school-based assessments
- A comprehensive understanding of differentiated instructional strategies across the curriculum
- An ability to provide expertise and perspective on student progress and development
- Outstanding interpersonal and organizational skills
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills
- Detail-oriented, resourceful, and efficient
- Tactful and discreet
- Technologically savvy
Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $35.00–$45.00 per hour (dependent on education level/experience).
The school offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package to benefits-eligible employees subject to the discretion of the Head of School, which includes:
- Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Health Savings Account with employer contribution
- Flexible Spending Account
- 403(b) Retirement Plan with available employer matching
- Paid sick leave
- Employer-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Employer-paid Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program for employees and their dependents
- Wellness benefit is to be used on items or services that promote wellness
- Professional Development opportunities
- Free parking
How to Apply
If you are interested in applying for this position, click the “Apply Now” button to submit a resume and a detailed cover letter addressing interest in this position and qualifications.
Non-Discrimination Policy
University Child Development School is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to promoting diversity in the workplace and to seeking a diverse and broad spectrum of qualified candidates. The School does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, gender or gender identity, age, or sexual orientation.