School Age Assistant Teacher

About the role

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 facilitate age-appropriate activities, support children's social-emotional development, and ensure children are supervised at all times in a healthy and safe environment.

Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum connected to children's interests and promoting positive child development
• Maintain intentional, enriched, and supportive learning environments with quality, age-appropriate experiences for all children
• Provide excellent customer service by establishing authentic, reciprocal, and culturally responsive relationships with children, families, schools, communities, and team members
• Ensure children's health and safety through proper supervision, positive interactions, healthy habits, and compliance with regulations
• Work collaboratively with staff to align workplace values, education, and experience for high-quality programs and creative workplaces

Work Environment

• Demonstrate positive interactions with children and youth
• Maintain kind, respectful, and safe emotional/physical environments for children
• Be punctual and present on a regularly scheduled basis
• Actively participate in outdoor and indoor programs
• Be physically and mentally capable of interacting with children up to 13 years of age, meeting their needs, and ensuring safety
• Implement safety guidelines, report health and safety issues, and remain calm during emergencies or first aid situations

Physical & Environmental Conditions

• Visually inspect environments for hazards and implement preventative actions (e.g., set up cones to limit play areas)
• Be comfortable with occasional loud noise inside or outside the classroom during activities
• Frequently bend, lift, twist, reach, push, and pull
• Push, lift, carry, and hold objects up to 15 lbs. individually or as a team (e.g., equipment carts, emergency backpacks, food coolers, classroom furnishings)
• Work inside or outside in all safe weather conditions for children
• Traverse various terrains (grass, blacktop, dirt) and heights (ladders, playgrounds) depending on the school environment
• Adapt to children's physical levels (e.g., sitting on the floor, kneeling, squatting) for activities and problem-solving
• Supervise field trips to destinations such as aquatic parks, beaches, and trampoline parks

Qualifications & Experience

Education

Education and permit requirements may vary by center needs or age group (e.g., Infant, Toddler, School-Age, Title 5, or Title 22 status).

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

Experience & Skills

• 6 months of experience in a group care environment with a consistent age group is preferred
• Effective problem-solving, conflict resolution, classroom management, and communication with children and families
• Strong organization, time management, and documentation skills (e.g., lesson plans, portfolios, anecdotal notes)
• Ability to work collaboratively in a professional team environment
• Current adult and infant/child CPR & First Aid certification is preferred
• Bilingual/multilingual language skills may be preferred based on center needs

Schedule

Full-time, Monday - Friday, 9am - 6pm

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
• 401(k) Retirement plan and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Commuter pre-tax benefit
• Discounted childcare
• Access to the Calm app
• Tickets at Work employee discounts
• Ongoing training and professional growth advisory