Support Teacher

Spend your days playing, exploring, and connecting with kids from infants to Pre-K, starting at $20–$24/hour. As a Support Teacher, you’ll float between our classrooms and learn from experienced teachers in a play-based program where joy is a core value. You’ll also get health insurance, a 401(k) match, and paid time off that grows the longer you’re here.

About Early Alpine Academy

Early Alpine Academy is a small, play-based, relationship-driven program in downtown Bozeman, serving children from infancy through Pre-K. Our days are full of joyful play, hands-on exploration, and a team that truly shows up for kids, families, and each other.

About the Role

As a Support Teacher, you’ll play a unique and essential role in the rhythm of our day. This position is ideal for someone who loves variety, enjoys being on the move, and feels energized by working with many different children and teachers throughout the day.

Rather than being assigned to a single classroom, Support Teachers float wherever they’re needed most. You might spend a whole day with infants, move between toddler and preschool rooms, be the first to step in when a Lead or Assistant Teacher is out, cover teacher breaks, or help prepare learning spaces. Some days you’ll have a steady assignment, and some days plans change with little notice.

Working with young children is incredibly rewarding, and it’s also physically and emotionally demanding. The right person brings patience, energy, and a steady, positive presence, even when things don’t go as planned. No two days look exactly the same, and that’s what makes this role both challenging and rewarding.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Covering classrooms wherever you’re needed: when a teacher is out, during breaks, or when a room needs an extra hand

• Connecting quickly with children of every age, from infants to Pre-K, through play and responsive care

• Supporting daily rhythms like drop-off, meals, diapering and toileting, outdoor play, rest, and transitions

• Staying calm through big feelings and hard moments, leading with connection before correction

• Noticing what needs doing and jumping in, from prepping materials to resetting a room, and keeping teachers in the loop as plans change

• Learning from experienced teachers and growing your skills across age groups

What We’re Looking For

• Proactive and self-directed. You naturally look for ways to help and stay busy without needing constant direction.

• Flexible and go-with-the-flow. You’re comfortable with changing plans and not always knowing exactly what your day will look like.

• Dependable and team-oriented. Teammates can count on you to show up, step in, and follow through.

• Patient and resilient. You stay calm and warm through busy or challenging moments.

• Genuinely joyful with kids. You love being with young children and building real relationships with them.

Job Requirements

• Enrolled in the Montana Early Childhood Practitioner Registry (Level 0–2 to start)

• Eligible to pass a background check and obtain CPR/First Aid certification

• Physically able to engage with young children throughout the day, including lifting, bending, sitting on the floor, and active play

• Experience with infants, toddlers, or preschoolers is a plus but not required. Childcare centers, nannying, preschool programs, and other hands-on caregiving all count.

Compensation & Benefits

We believe caring for children starts with caring for our team. Early Alpine offers a thoughtful benefits package designed to support your health, family, and long-term wellbeing. The full package below is for full-time team members.

• $20–$24/hour

• 2 weeks of paid time off, increasing with tenure, plus 1 week of paid sick time, plus paid holidays

• Health insurance with employer contribution

• Optional dental, vision, accident, and voluntary life & AD&D coverage

• Employer-paid long-term disability and $25,000 life & AD&D coverage

• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching

• Childcare subsidy

• Paid sabbatical program

• Paid parental leave