TK After-School Teacher (Part-Time)

Job Description

Do you enjoy working with youth and being part of a diverse, supportive, and talented community? Are you passionate about youth program development and are a natural leader? If so, please consider joining our team at Tessellations. We are currently accepting applications for a part-time TK After-School Teacher starting immediately. Competitive salary available.

Ready to apply Before you do, make sure to read all the details pertaining to this job in the description below.

Tessellations is a modern, innovative Preschool-8th non-profit school for gifted learners based in Cupertino, CA. Our mission is to provide challenging experiential education that recognizes and nurtures the individual strengths of gifted learners, empowering them to confidently express who they are and pursue a meaningful life.

At Tessellations, community is a core value. A strong community was instrumental in launching our school during the pandemic and has facilitated our strong growth and success since then. Our team consists of passionate, qualified, and dedicated staff from diverse backgrounds and includes a nationally renowned gifted expert. We believe that it is time to open a new chapter in 21st-century gifted education by forging a model that fosters a cultural ecosystem within the school that promotes innovative thinking and intellectual risk-taking. Moving on from an antiquated model born during the Industrial Revolution, we favor transferable skills over compliance and rote memorization, and collaboration over competition. We believe that assessments should function as guidance for the depth and complexity of learning rather than for judgment or sorting.

About Our After-School Program

Our after-school program, Base Camp, provides program options for our wonderful TK - 8th grade students following the school day. We currently operate three programs, TK-Base Camp, Odyssey, and Clubs, until 6:00 pm Monday - Thursday and until 5:00 pm on Fridays. Our Odyssey and Club programs are open to K-8. Our TK-Base Camp program is designed with our budding Tessie students in mind. Each day is filled with wonder and curiosity as students engage in various self-directed hands-on indoor and outdoor activities through stations. Students engage in deep learning through seasonal visits from some of our local enrichment program partners and Tessellations teaching faculty in the areas of STEM, Sports and Fitness, Visual and Performing Arts, and World Languages. Positive character development and community building are key components of our play-based program. From indoor to outdoor exploration time, students experience a series of adventures during their time with us, enriching their learning journey, developing new skills, and strengthening their social-emotional development. Students attend the program on a scheduled basis, and registration is required.

By working at Tessellations, you will work with students who love to learn, engaged parents/guardians who are grateful for your work, and supportive colleagues who will help bring out your personal best.

Primary Responsibilities

Default hours: Mon-Thu: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM; Fri 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

• Create and foster a safe and nurturing learning environment where all TK students feel
  
• seen, heard, and included.
  
• Serve as the heart of our program's connection with families, making sure parents/guardians feel well-informed, deeply supported, and actively invited into their child's after-school journey.
  
• Co-regulate with students by guiding them through big emotions, using positive discipline, and teaching calming strategies.
  
• Facilitate restorative conflict resolution between peers, helping students identify feelings and communicate needs.
  
• Work with the other Base Camp staff to supervise the students during stationed activities, indoor and outdoor play, and assist in snack distribution.
  
• Maintain a safe and organized environment, supervising students closely at all times.
  
• Lead 1-2 indoor play-based, hands-on afternoon activities (arts, gross motor play, storytelling, STEM, design and construction) that reinforce social-emotional learning, community building, sparks curiosity and supports positive character development.
  
• Support enrichment program partners during curriculum implementation, including monitoring student behavior and helping where needed.
  
• Manage program transitions smoothly using routines and a visual schedule.
  
• Maintain and organize the various indoor and outdoor spaces utilized by the program that promotes independence, choice, and collaborative play.
  
• Partner with TK teachers when necessary to ensure consistency in behavioral support and expectations from the school day to the after-school program.
  
• Attend staff meetings and actively engage with professional development opportunities.
  

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of 2 years of work experience in early childhood education.
  
• Deep understanding of the developmental stages of 4- and 5-year-olds, with a patient, nurturing approach to behavioral guidance.
  
• Ability to actively observe, read, and accurately interpret youth's verbal and non-verbal cues to meet their emotional and developmental needs in real-time.
  
• A genuine commitment to inclusive practices that welcome and celebrate families from all backgrounds.
  
• Passing a criminal background check upon job offer.
  
• Current CPR and First Aid certifications (or willingness to obtain upon hire).
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 1–2 years working with transitional kindergarten, preschool, or
  
• kindergarten-aged children (experience in after-school or summer camp settings).
  
• Strong verbal communication skills
  
• Social-emotional teaching experience
  
• Curriculum development experience
  
• Experience teaching gifted learners
  
• Proficiency with technology (G Suite in particular)
  
• Familiarity with and commitment to DEIJ issues
  
• Connection to nature
  
• Enthusiastic life-long learner
  
• Openness and flexibility in designing improved learning experiences
  

Compensation

Salary: $25.00 to $35.00 per hour, depending on experience

Benefits for part-time employees include paid sick leave and 401(k).

This position is compensated for holidays and for hours worked. This position is not eligible for pay during school breaks or summer.

Tessellations is an Equal Opportunity Employer — we do not discriminate against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, sex, or reproductive health decision-making

Pay: $25.00 - $35.00 per hour

Expected hours: 22.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
  

Application Question(s):

• Did you provide a cover letter? xhyhwjd Due to the high number of applicants for this position, we are requiring a cover letter to be submitted alongside your application.
  
• Work Location: In person