Substitute Assistant Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

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. Assistant 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:

• Support the implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum supported by learning foundations that are directly connected to their interests and promote positive child development
• Support and 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. Staff hired in the Assistant Teacher position may be required to:

• Visually insect environment for hazards to children; identify hazards and implement preventative actions (i.e. 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 (i.e. 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:

Assistant Teachers support the needs of the classroom under direction/supervision of another staff. In general, the Assistant Teacher position is intended as an entry level role. Center teaching staff qualifications include education, specialized training and job experience.

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.

Teacher education/permit requirements:

• 6 postsecondary semester or equivalent quarter units in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field with passing grades of C- or better  OR
• Regional occupation program certificate of training in child care issues and accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. 

Experience & Skills

• 6 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 / Part Time

What We Offer: 

• Vision Benefits
• 401(k) Retirement plan and Employee Assistance Program
• Personal Health Advocate
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Discounted childcare (for staff working 25 hours or more per week)
• 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.