Preschool Associate Teacher

Catalyst teaching staff support the planning and implementation of Catalyst's programming for children ranging in age from infant, toddler, pre-school, kinder, and school age depending on the location. Teachers must be able to facilitate a variety of age appropriate activities, support children's social emotional development, and ensure children are supervised at all times in a healthy and safe environment.

Essential Functions:

• Create and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum supported by learning foundations that are directly connected to their interests and promote positive child development
• Create, implement, and maintain intentional, enriched, and supportive learning environments and quality experiences that are age appropriate for all children
• Provide excellent customer service by establishing authentic connections and reciprocal, culturally responsive relationships with children, youth, families, schools, communities, and center/classroom team
• Keep children healthy and safe by ensuring proper supervision, positive interactions, healthy habits, and excellent compliance
• Work collaboratively with fellow staff by connecting work place values, education, and experience to provide the highest quality programs and creative workplaces
  
  

Work Environment:

All teaching staff are expected to demonstrate behaviors that are essential for successful programs and environment including the following:

• Positive interactions with children and youth
• Maintain kind, respectful, and safe emotional/physical environments for children
• Be on time and present on a regularly scheduled basis
• Be active in outdoor and indoor programs
• Be physically and mentally capable of interacting with children up to 13 years of age, meeting all their needs and ensuring their safety
• Be aware of and implement safety guidelines; report any health & safety issues or incidents to management, and remain calm if providing first aid (as needed) during emergency situations
  
  

Physical & Environmental Conditions:

Teaching staff are responsible for various program elements on a daily basis and will be exposed to indoor and outdoor elements. Teaching staff may be required to:

• Visually insect environment for hazards to children; identify hazards and implement preventative actions ( set up cones to limit play area) to maintain a safe environment for children
• Be comfortable with occasional loud noise in our outside the classroom during activities
• Be comfortable with frequent bending, lifting, twisting, reaching, pushing, and pulling
• Push, lift, carry, and hold various objects up to 15 lbs. - by individual or team effort - such as equipment carts, emergency back packs, food coolers, classroom furnishings, and other similar program materials
• Work inside the classroom or outside the room in all weather conditions which are safe for children
• Traverse various terrains (grass, blacktop, dirt) and heights (ladders, playgrounds) depending on the school outdoor environment
• Adapt to the physical level of children ( sitting on the floor, kneeling, squatting) for activities and problem-solving interactions
• Supervise field trips to destinations such as aquatic parks, beaches, and trampoline parks
  
  

Qualifications & Experience:

Associate Teacher are members of the teaching team who share responsibility for the care and education of an assigned group of children/classroom. There may be more than one person designated as an Associate Teacher for each group of children.

Education

Education and permit requirements may vary by center needs/require age group specific units depending on the program, such as Infant, Toddler, School-Age, Title 5 or Title 22 status.

Associate Teacher education/permit requirements:

• 12-24 postsecondary semester or equivalent quarter units in ECE, CD, or related field with passing grades of C- or better. OR
• Associate Teacher Permit or above issues by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

Experience & Skills

• 6-12 months of experience in a group care environment where care/teaching was provided for a consistent age group is preferred
• Effective problem solving, conflict resolution, classroom management, and communication with children and families
• Effective organization, time management, curriculum, and assessment documentation (lesson plans, portfolios, and anecdotal notes)
• Ability to work alongside colleagues and maintain a professional team environment
• Current adult and infant/child CPR & First Aid certification is preferred
• Bilingual/multilingual language preference based on individual center needs
  

Shift Type: Full Time

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm

What We Offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
• 401(k) Retirement plan and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Personal Health Advocate
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Commuter pre-tax benefit
• Discounted childcare
• Access to the Calm app
• Tickets at Work employee discounts
• Be constantly in a learning and growth process with training and professional growth advisory

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace.