Preschool Teacher

Catalyst teaching staff support the planning and implementation of Catalyst's programming for children ranging in age from infant, toddler, preschool, kinder, and school age depending on the location. 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.

Essential Functions:

• Create and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum supported by learning foundations that are directly connected to their interests and promote positive child development
• Create, implement, 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 work place values, education, and experience to provide the highest quality programs and creative workplaces
  
  

Work Environment:

All teaching staff are expected to demonstrate behaviors that are essential for successful programs and environment including the following:

• Positive interactions with children and youth
• Maintain kind, respectful, and safe emotional/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:

Teaching staff are responsible for various program elements on a daily basis and will be exposed to indoor and outdoor elements. Teaching staff may be required to:

• Visually insect environment for hazards to children; identify hazards and implement preventative actions ( set up cones to limit play area) to maintain a safe environment for children
• Be comfortable with occasional loud noise in our outside the 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 back packs, food coolers, classroom furnishings, and other similar program materials
• Work inside the classroom or outside the room in all weather conditions which 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 ( 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 & Experience:

Education

Education and permit requirements may vary by center needs/require age group specific units depending on the program, such as Infant, Toddler, School-Age, Title 5 or Title 22 status.

Teacher education/permit requirements:

• 24 postsecondary semester or equivalent quarter units in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field with passing grades of C- or better, plus 16 general education units OR
• AA degree or higher in ECE, CD, or related field from a nationally accredited college OR
• Teacher Permit or above issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

Experience & Skills

• 2 years of experience in a group care environment where care/teaching was provided for a consistent age group is preferred
• 1 year of experience supervising adults or equivalent adult supervision units if 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
  
  

Shift Type: Full Time

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:30pm

What We Offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
• 401(k) Retirement plan and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Personal Health Advocate
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Commuter pre-tax benefit
• Discounted childcare
• Access to the Calm app
• Tickets at Work employee discounts
• Be constantly in a learning and growth process with training and professional growth advisory

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace.