Join our mission
Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning creates high-quality learning communities that nurture, educate, and empower children and families in social and financial need to lead fulfilling and productive lives. Our mission is more than just words. We are looking for educators who share our passion for this mission and will help us live it out each day in our work.
A new and innovative approach
Our leading-edge program is designed to:
- Support the whole child and empower families with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to grow into their best selves
- Emphasize language and literacy, social-emotional skills and development, and other cognitive processes using play-based instructional strategies and other explicit techniques to support whole-child development and learning
- Keep class sizes small, maintain a low child-to-teacher ratio, and prioritize employee retention to ensure children get the individualized and consistent care they need to succeed
Grow with us
We understand that to achieve our mission and make a lasting impact, we need to provide teachers with an environment in which they are respected, supported, and set up to do their very best work. Our teachers begin their full-time employment with our comprehensive, nearly yearlong paid professional development program, which allows them the time and space to prepare for their roles before entering the classroom. Once in the classroom, we use cooperative teaching styles with three different educator roles:
Assistant teacher
Our assistant teachers help support the lead teacher and the associate teacher with the implementation of classroom lesson plans, program development, and classroom routines and schedules. They engage with children directly to support development and learning and identify individual needs. They assist the teaching team with daily communication and documentation.
Associate teacher
In collaboration with the lead teacher and the assistant teacher, the associate teacher is responsible for supporting the implementation of the early childhood classroom curriculum and assessment process, involving families in classroom experiences, and cultivating a classroom environment that represents each child’s family culture. This individual is responsible for supporting the lead teacher in planning and implementing the daily education program for children.
Lead teacher
Our lead teachers are responsible for implementing and supporting the early childhood classroom curriculum and assessment process, involving families in classroom experiences, and cultivating a classroom environment that represents each child’s family culture. Individuals in this role are responsible for directing and leading the planning and implementation of the daily education program for children.
Our employee benefits
Our goal is to create a supportive environment that sets you up for success at work and in your personal life.
For interested professionals
Want to know more about current opportunities at CHS? Explore our open positions.
Professional development program
Our professional development program is a key foundational onboarding component before each Center opens.