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 to 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.

Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum supported by learning foundations that are directly connected to children's interests and promote positive child development
• Support 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 workplace values, education, and experience to provide the highest quality programs and creative workplaces

Work Environment

• Demonstrate positive interactions with children and youth
• Maintain kind, respectful, and safe emotional and 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

• Visually inspect environment for hazards to children; identify hazards and implement preventative actions (e.g., set up cones to limit play area) to maintain a safe environment for children
• Be comfortable with occasional loud noise in indoor or outdoor 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 backpacks, food coolers, classroom furnishings, and other similar program materials
• Work inside the classroom or outside the room in all weather conditions that 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 (e.g., 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

Education

• 6 postsecondary semester or equivalent quarter units in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field with passing grades of C- or better
• OR a regional occupation program certificate of training in child care issues 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

Benefits

• 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
• Constant learning and growth process with training and professional growth advisory