Vista Haven Teacher

For more than a century, Vista Del Mar Child & Family Services (VDM) has been dedicated to supporting children and families across Los Angeles County through high-quality programs and compassionate care. Our goal is to help children and families build strong foundations that support growth, stability, and meaningful opportunities throughout their lives. Many of the individuals we serve have faced long-standing challenges, and we are committed to meeting families where they are with respect and understanding.

About the Organization

Vista Del Mar is guided by values centered on growth, opportunity, fairness, and excellence in service. Our work is strengthened by the people we serve and the dedicated staff who support them. We strive to create an environment where everyone is treated with dignity, care, and respect. We recognize that personal experiences and life circumstances shape how individuals engage within their communities, and we actively work to reduce barriers while improving access and outcomes for families.

Vista Del Mar is committed to fostering a workplace rooted in care, collaboration, professional growth, and mutual support, where each individual feels welcomed and valued. We believe meaningful action is the foundation of lasting trust. We welcome qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences. Relevant professional and lived experience that supports effective service delivery to children and families is valued.

Mission

Vista Del Mar provides a trauma-responsive continuum of services to empower children, youth, and families in Southern California to lead fulfilling lives.

Responsibilities

• Provide educational services based on each youth's academic development, literacy level, and linguistic ability, ensuring a minimum of six hours of structured education Monday through Friday in basic academic areas (Science, Social Studies, Math, Reading, Writing, Physical Education, and English as a Second Language (ESL), if applicable).
• Develop and implement lesson plans, curriculum, and engaging educational activities that align with program objectives, contract standards, and the diverse academic and developmental needs of youth.
• Maintain continuous line-of-sight and/or sound supervision and active monitoring of youth at all times—including during classroom instruction, transitions, recreational activities, and all other program activities—to ensure their safety, security, well-being, accountability, and compliance with ORR policies and program procedures.
• Complete administrative duties, including maintaining, filing, uploading, and organizing required student and program records, ensuring documentation is accurate, confidential, and completed within established timelines and ORR program requirements.
• Conduct an initial educational assessment within 72 hours of a youth’s admission to determine academic level, identify educational strengths and needs, and inform individualized instructional planning and support services.
• Maintain classroom management and support positive youth behavior by observing, addressing, and redirecting challenging behaviors using developmentally appropriate techniques.
• Manage the overall operation of an assigned classroom, maintaining required staff-to-youth ratios (1:6), and supervising, supporting, and training up to three (3) Teacher Aides in all aspects of classroom activities and responsibilities.
• Report and document any incidents, safety concerns, behavioral concerns, disclosures, injuries, or significant events involving youth in accordance with ORR requirements and program policies.
• Provide individualized academic support by adapting instruction, assignments, and learning strategies based on each youth’s educational level, learning needs, language abilities, and developmental considerations.
• Evaluate youth assignments and educational progress, provide appropriate feedback, and maintain documentation of academic performance and progress toward educational goals.
• Collaborate with education staff, case management, clinical staff, Youth Care staff, and other program personnel to support youth educational progress, behavioral needs, and overall well-being.
• Create and maintain a safe, supportive, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed classroom environment that promotes academic learning, positive social interactions, and youth development.
• Demonstrate knowledge of adolescent development and the unique educational, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of unaccompanied children, including youth with limited English proficiency, learning needs, and histories of trauma.
• Maintain professional communication and complete required written documentation, reports, and records while effectively communicating with youth, staff, and internal or external program partners.
• Complete additional education-related responsibilities and program duties as assigned by the Program Director and/or Assistant Program Director to support program operations and compliance with ORR requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Certification by the relevant governing authority (e.g., Multiple Subject, Single Subject, or Education Specialist), Teaching English as a Second Language/Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages certification (i.e., TESL/TESOL certification), or other appropriate accrediting body.
• At least 1 year of experience working in a school or youth treatment setting is preferred.
• Training and experience working with youth who have experienced trauma.
• Able to interrupt physical and verbal altercations among youths using training from the CPI-Nonviolent Crisis Intervention and de-escalation skills, provide support and care via a trauma-informed lens, administer CPR/First Aid, and perform basic lifting.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Bilingual in any language preferred.
• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Must fulfill all requirements of employment, including clearance of all required background records (e.g., Department of Justice, Youth Abuse, California Community Care Licensing, County Sanction List, etc.), professional reference checks, physical examination with TB test, and drug screening.

About Vista Del Mar’s Credentials

Our nationally recognized clinical programs have been awarded a Gold Seal by the Joint Commission, the highest level of accreditation possible. In addition, our educational facilities are fully accredited through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and our graduate degree program is recognized worldwide for its high quality of instruction.