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Location and Job Title:

Assistant Pod Teacher
Asheville JCC
236 Charlotte St
Asheville, NC 28801

Principal Responsibilities:

Reports To: Early Childhood Education Director

Department: Shalom Children's Center

FLSA Classification: Full Time, Hourly, Non-Exempt

Pay Rate (Hourly): $18.00-19.00 per hour

Updated Date: 09/29/2025

Benefits: Full-time employees at the Asheville JCC enjoy extensive benefits, including 27+ days of paid holidays and PTO, vision, life, and disability insurance, a 401(k), membership at our state-of-the-art aquatics center, free childcare in our 5-star early childhood and school-age programs, and the opportunity to be part of a warm, inclusive community that has served Asheville for over 80 years. Scroll down for the full benefits listing and additional details.

Job Summary

The Assistant Pod Teacher works in partnership with the classroom Lead and Assistant Teachers to provide flexible instructional and classroom support within an assigned age group (pod) such as the Two's, Three's, or Pre-K classrooms. This role helps implement lesson plans, nurture positive social-emotional development, and maintain safe, engaging learning environments. The Assistant Pod Teacher ensures compliance with North Carolina DCDEE regulations while fostering strong relationships with children, family, and colleagues. This position carries the same professional expectations as an Assistant Teacher, with the added flexibility to meet the needs of multiple classrooms within the assigned pods.

Principal Responsibilities

Instruction

Utilize tools and resources to deliver developmentally appropriate learning experiences, classroom activities, and practices aligned with the Shalom Children's Center philosophy and mission.
Ensure that classroom activities are tailored to the developmental continuum of children.
Foster a strong classroom community by supporting children in developing empathy and conflict resolution skills.
Participate in aquatics activities with children on a weekly basis

Management of the Learning Environment

Help maintain classroom spaces that are safe, engaging, and encourage children's participation.
Provide constant supervision, ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of all children by remaining fully present and engaged.
Maintain compliance with all North Carolina DCDEE guidelines in both classroom and outdoor settings.

Planning & Assessment

Implement classroom schedules and lesson plans as directed by Lead Teachers.
Assist in documenting individual children's progress and in preparing for conferences.
Build relationships with families, serving as a point of contact to provide timely updates on their children's development and activities.

Professional Growth & Responsibility

Participate in JCC All-Staff Meetings, Shalom faculty meetings, Pod meetings, and supervisions with the ECE Director.
Attend all required annual in-service training courses.
Meet professional development hours as required by NC DHHS.

Minimum Qualifications:

Required Skills/Abilities

Use of basic computer skills such as e-mail, communication apps, word documents, Zoom meetings.

Qualifications

Education

High School Diploma, and working towards an AA with a NCECC (North Carolina Early Childhood Credential)

Associates or Bachelor's Degree in a related field plus NCECC (North Carolina Early Childhood Credential)

Associates or Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education plus NCECC (North Carolina Early Childhood Credential)

Experience

Minimum of 1 year experience teaching in a preschool environment
Experience implementing a Reggio-Emilia inspired or emergent inquiry learning approach preferred

Certifications

NC Qualifying Letter (Criminal Background Check)
Pediatric First Aid & CPR CertificationWithin 90 Days of Employment

Additional

Must be at least 18 years old
Understanding and ability to implement early childhood best practices and comply with all regulatory policies and procedures
Must pass a drug screening

Physical Requirements

Must be able to lift and provide responsive care for a child less than 40lbs on flat and sloped terrain.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Included Benefits

Free tuition for Early Childhood/Youth Programming for the first child, and 50% off for subsequent children (after 90 days of service and based on availability. First 90 days employees receive 50% off the first child and 35% off subsequent children).
Employer paid insurance (after 90 days of service):
Vision
Life Insurance
Short- and long-term disability
Optional employee-paid insurance:
Dental
Additional Life Insurance
Retirement 401K (available after 1 year of service)
10+ paid holidays
Two paid "floating holidays" or personal days to be chosen by the employee
15+ paid vacation and sick days
Paid bereavement leave
Paid weather/emergency related closures
Free, confidential counseling services through our Employee Assistance Plan
Ongoing professional development
Tuition reimbursement for courses at an accredited college or university
Aquatics membership for employee and their household
"Learn to Swim" lessons for employee and their household
Complimentary use of meeting spaces, including the pavilion, aquatics facility, and social hall

Salary:

$35,000 - $45,000

Agency Information:

At the Asheville JCC, all are welcome to share in Jewish traditions, values and culture. The AJCC has been the home for Jewish life in Western North Carolina since 1940, and today we continue to be a vibrant and diverse community of people. The Asheville JCC strengthens Jewish identity, celebrates Jewish culture and builds community through a wide variety of programs for people from all backgrounds, at every stage of life.