Assistant Teacher Jobs in Iowa
Assistant Teacher jobs in Iowa are concentrated in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport, where large public school districts, community colleges, and early childhood programs generate steady demand at every level from entry-level paraprofessional to experienced special education assistant. Iowa City's school district and University of Iowa Early Childhood Programs, along with Heartland Area Education Agency and Des Moines Public Schools, are among the most active employers for these roles. Specialties in highest demand include special education support, early childhood assistance, and English language learner programs. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Responsibilities:- Responsible for the supervision of children within sight and sound at all times to ensure the health and safety of each child.
- Interacts with and guides children, both individually and in small groups, using positive, developmentally appropriate and respectful techniques.
- Meets the daily and ongoing social, emotional, physical and cognitive needs of all children. Maintains accurate and complete attendance tracking records.
- Monitors facility and/or environment for changes, hazards and problems that may occur and takes appropriate action to ensure safety of children, staff and parents
- Maintains a clean, orderly, child centered, and safe environment.
- Observes children daily for signs of illness, injury, abuse, neglect and assessing each child’s health and development.
- Mandated to report suspected child abuse & neglect to Child Protection Services. Maintains confidentiality of sensitive information regarding children, parent & families. Complies with all State and Accreditation Standards
- Follows daily lesson plans and established classroom routines.
- Follows the philosophy and practice of the program curriculum.
- Maintains effective and respectful partnerships with parents, families, staff and administration including daily communication, effective problem solving and coordination of care.
- Maintains the confidentiality of sensitive information and advises parents on issues of child development.
- Participates in morning huddles, staff meetings and continuing education events.
- Completes Professional Development Responsibilities to promote continued growth and development and supports efforts to serve as a community resource of high quality child care.
- Shows initiative to improve quality and customer service by striving to exceed expectations by living UPH Values and Standards.
- For Non-Accredited Centers – High School Diploma required.
- For Accredited Centers – Child Development Associate (CDA) – 1 year diploma or 12 credit hours in Early Childhood Education required.
- For Accredited Centers – Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field including 10 hours of infant/toddler training preferred.
- One (1) or more years in an Early Childhood classroom or similar required.
- Current and will be maintained Certification of Pediatric First Aid and CPR required within 90 days of hire.
- Training for Mandatory reporting of Child Abuse required within 90 days of hire.
- Training for Mandatory reporting of Dependent Adult Abuse required within 90 days of hire.
- Essentials Child Care Preservice required within 90 days of hire.
See All 37 Assistant Teacher Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Assistant Teacher JobsAssistant Teacher Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Assistant Teacher Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring


What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in assistant teacher jobs across Iowa.
- Iowa Paraeducator certification or enrollment in an Iowa-approved paraeducator training program
- High school diploma or associate degree in education, child development, or a related field
- Experience working with K-12 students in a classroom, tutoring, or childcare setting
- Ability to pass an Iowa DCI background check and child abuse and criminal history clearances
- Strong communication skills and ability to support diverse learners including students with IEPs
- Familiarity with Iowa Common Core standards and ability to assist with differentiated instruction
Assistant Teacher Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become an assistant teacher in Iowa?
To work as an assistant teacher in Iowa public schools, you typically need to meet Iowa Department of Education paraeducator requirements, which include a high school diploma and completion of an Iowa-approved paraeducator training program or equivalent college coursework demonstrating knowledge of instructional support. Private preschools and childcare centers follow Iowa Department of Health and Human Services staffing rules rather than the paraeducator standard, but most still require documented training in child development.
Which companies hire assistant teachers in Iowa?
Employers hiring assistant teachers in Iowa right now include New Horizon Academy Iowa, Sieda Community Action, and Children & Families of Iowa, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Iowa's Area Education Agencies, large suburban districts like West Des Moines Community Schools, and early childhood networks affiliated with community action agencies are consistently among the most active hirers in the state.
Which Iowa cities have the most assistant teacher jobs?
Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Ames have the most assistant teacher openings in Iowa. Des Moines dominates due to the scale of Des Moines Public Schools and the density of Head Start and early childhood programs in the metro, while Cedar Rapids and Davenport draw volume from large public districts and regional Area Education Agencies that serve surrounding rural communities.
Are there remote assistant teacher jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of assistant teacher openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting that most assistant teacher work requires in-person support for students. The subset of remote openings tends to involve virtual school programs or administrative paraprofessional support roles rather than direct classroom instruction.
How can I get hired as an assistant teacher in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a paraeducator substitute or classroom aide position with a local Iowa public school district, which often hires candidates still completing their paraeducator training. Des Moines Public Schools and Heartland Area Education Agency both post entry-level paraprofessional roles that accept candidates without prior classroom experience. Lateral moves from childcare worker, after-school program staff, or library aide roles are common, and completing an Iowa-approved paraeducator certificate through a community college like Des Moines Area Community College gives candidates a clear hiring edge.
Where can I find and apply to assistant teacher jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to assistant teacher jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings updated regularly. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level, preferred district, and specialty area, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 37 Assistant Teacher Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Assistant Teacher Jobs