Aftercare Associate Teacher

Title: Aftercare Associate Teacher

Reports to:  Aftercare Coordinator; Head of School

This is a 10-month position following the school year calendar, inclusive of teacher work weeks and professional development pursuits.

Position Description: 

The Aftercare Associate Teacher is responsible for supporting an environment that incorporates Montessori and/or IB methodology and respects the children's individual needs in accordance with the school's mission and vision. 

The expectations of the Aftercare Associate must be consistent with the modeled Lead Teacher behavior. The Aftercare Associate will work with the additional team members to create a peaceful atmosphere, and the Aftercare Teachers must become familiar with and imitate the Lead Teacher model. The Associate is responsible for communication that supports an understanding of the school's program, developing positive relationships within the school community, and protecting the privacy and confidentiality of each student and family in the school community. 

The Aftercare Associate Teacher will manage all aspects of the aftercare environment and supervise a substitute teacher in the event that an Aftercare Teacher is absent.

This job requires the employee to spend the majority of work hours actively attending to young children. This will include, but is not limited to, standing, bending at the waist, kneeling, sitting, and lifting. The Associate Teacher will be flexible, as the staffing needs will vary.

Normal Hours:

1. Monday through Friday, when school is in session, 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm.

2. Other hours as requested and agreed upon.

Aftercare Accountabilities:

1. Is responsible for the safety and well-being of the children left in their charge, within the classrooms and on the playground, based on respect and consistent with the teachings of Montessori and/or IB, until dismissed to a responsible adult. 

2. Models integrity, curiosity, responsibility, creativity, and respect for all.

3. Prepares and cleans the environment for Toddler, Primary, or Elementary/Middle School students.

4. Collaborates and communicates with the Aftercare Coordinator, and keeps them informed of any accidents, incidents, and happenings. 

5. Coordinates activities of interest to students.

6. Monitors and assists children with work, self-care, and social relationships/interactions with peers.

7. Assists with arrivals and dismissals as required and with strict adherence to Emergency Contact protocol, including completing electronic attendance records according to policy.

8. Establishes positive relationships with students, which, while recognizing the differing roles of adult and child, are characterized by mutual respect and goodwill. 

9. Supervises students in their care. No child should ever be left unsupervised either inside or outside the classroom, except when directed by the teacher.

10. Phrases directives positively when speaking with the children.

11. Reports all accidents/incidents at once. Prepares a written report and makes the Aftercare Coordinator and/or Lead Teacher aware of the accident/incident.

12. Attends meetings when requested.

13. Shares questions and observations with the Aftercare Coordinator.

14. Notifies the Aftercare Coordinator immediately of personal or professional difficulties with children, parents, or staff.

15. Supervising students includes managing snack/lunch, supply refills, assisting an injured child, dressing/undressing children, and diapering/toileting as necessary. 

Professional Responsibility:

The Aftercare Associate Teacher is involved in ongoing self-assessment and refinement of practice in the classroom and collaborative professional growth.

1. Completes required and related training promptly.

2. Participates in establishing and maintaining an atmosphere of collegial support and adherence to professional standards.

3. Is responsible for reading and adhering to the guidelines as established in the personnel handbook and all school policies.

4. Is responsible for complying with all state regulations and requirements of accrediting organizations.

5. Is responsible for keeping the Aftercare Coordinator updated on events, personal and professional issues, schedule, and curricular coordination that could impact their performance.

6. Performs other duties assigned by the Aftercare Coordinator and/or Head of School.

Qualifications:

1. High School Diploma, Bachelor's degree in education a bonus but not required.

2. Experience with children between 18 months and 35 months is preferred but not required.

3. Experience with Montessori, IB, and/or progressive learning approaches is preferred but not required. 

4. Comfortable with the integration of technology as a tool enabling learning.

5. Experience with (or willingness to learn and leverage) the Altitude Learning software platform.

6. Deep capability to engage in differentiated instruction strategies for reading and writing. 

7. Able to make connections across disciplines, and respond to students' ideas and inquiries by adapting lesson plans.

8. Exceptionally strong spoken and written communication and interpersonal skills. 

9. Excellent verbal and written communication skills to engage in a collaborative community. 

10. Strong English language & literature skills, scaffolding reading / writing-related work, and providing an evaluation of work to students.

11. Adept at communicating Discovery's story to various constituencies.

12. Is committed to Discovery's Characteristics of Professional Excellence 

    1. Model the Portrait of the Graduate 

    2. Passionately pursue their own professional growth and development 

    3. Unabashedly hold children at the center of all decisions and actions 

    4. Cultivate an inclusive and vibrant learning community 

    5. Discover and act on what is possible 

Work Authorization: The candidate must be authorized to work in the US.

Compensation: This is a part-time position, paid at an hourly rate, competitive, and commensurate with experience.

Benefits: This is a part-time position that could grow into a full-time position, based on need. Full-time employees receive health, dental, and vision insurance, 403(b), LTD and STD, paid leave, and life insurance.

Start Date: ASAP

To Apply: