Preschool Associate Teacher

About the role

The Waverly School seeks a full-time preschool associate teacher for the 2026-2027 academic year. The successful candidate will demonstrate expertise in working with preschool students aged 3 ½ to 5 ½. Demonstrated experience in working with a diverse range of learners and families is essential to success in this role. This position requires demonstrated excellence in collaboration and the successful candidate will have collaborative skills and is capable of partnering with specialists and learning support educators. Skillful engagement with parents is essential to helping parents understand the development experiences of their students.

Responsibilities

• Work with preschool director and lead teacher to educate and support students as guided by The Waverly School mission and philosophy
• Show confidence and readiness to offer conflict resolution to support children that is aligned with the Waverly mission and philosophy
• Use Responsive Classroom techniques to assist lead teacher in developing a consistent, caring classroom environment
• Is confident in leading and teaching small groups in math, language arts, and science
• Support children on the playground
• Follow the schedule that is created by the Head of Elementary School
• Provide supervision during school day hours and after school hours based on a pre-set schedule. Show flexibility for the daily changes that happen in a school environment.
• Provide support to lead teachers for semester reports. Specifically, to share written notes, write drafts, read, and make suggestions and offer thoughts on the checklists.
• Participate in parent/teacher conferences.
• Collaborate with grade-level/grade-proximal teachers, specialists and learning support educators
• Collaborate with and support the Preschool Director, other lead teachers in their growth and development
• Chaperone experiential learning opportunities, such as local field trips
• Work with preschool children to manage developmental needs of their age group during the school day through meal periods, bathroom breaks, play time and rest time.
• Act as lead teacher when the lead teacher is absent
• Attends and participates in weekly faculty meetings and occasional workshops, in-service opportunities, and other training seminars
• Perform other duties or tasks as defined by the Director of Elementary School or Head of School

Requirements

• Excellent knowledge of child development and latest pedagogy through professional development and formal learning experiences
• Strong commitment to antiracist and inclusive practices that support students of all backgrounds to succeed
• Preschool licensing requirements
• Demonstrates enthusiasm for preschool aged children
• Supervises children in the classroom and on the playground in a manner that is conducive to Title 22 health and safety regulations
• Attends all staff meetings and inservice/licensing training programs as requested
• Able to selfreflect and demonstrate personal growth
• Able to plan, manage, and evaluate curriculum
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with adults and children
• Able to collaborate and communicate with teachers, staff, parents, and students in a positive and constructive way
• Proficient in Google/Microsoft office suite or related software as required for recordkeeping and documentation in a PC environment
• Confident with remote learning platforms such as Zoom and Google Classroom
• Education and Experience: 12 ECE/CD units and 6 units in the schoolage core area
• A Bachelor’s degree or an advanced degree in early childhood education (California teaching credential a plus)
• A minimum of three (3) years teaching experience at an independent school
• Preference for experience teaching in progressive school environment and demonstrated understanding of progressive educational philosophy
• Responsive classroom training or willingness to train
• Preference for candidates with a working knowledge or fluency in Spanish or Mandarin

Physical requirements

• Prolonged periods of standing and walking throughout classrooms
• Occasionally lift 15-45 pounds at a time
• Prolonged periods of standing and walking throughout classrooms and between several campus locations
• Regularly move up and down stairs
• Regularly sit and stand on the floor throughout the day, and bend, kneel, or squat to be at eye level with children
• Work in person, on campus

Other requirements

• Initial and continued employment background investigation required fingerprints via Live Scan
• Initial and continued TB Assessment required for employment in CA schools
• Completes required training each year including but not limited to Pediatric CPR/First Aid/AED, CA mandated reporter training, and as required by state licensing.