Associate Teacher

Description

About our organization 

Since 1981, Options for Learning has been at the forefront of helping families break the cycle of poverty and improve their lives by providing tools to create a positive foundation for school, social, and life success. Our dedicated and passionate employees have helped our organization become one of Southern California's most innovative and progressive child development organizations, serving nearly 9,000 children throughout the San Gabriel Valley. 

About this position 

The associate teacher supports other teaching staff by implementing curriculum and facilitating enriching classroom experiences while ensuring a safe and caring environment for the enrolled children. This role is responsible for following organization policies, providing supervision for enrolled children, and maintaining a quality program. The location for this role will be one of the organization’s specific sites in the San Gabriel Valley. Assignments will be based on program needs. 

What you’ll be doing 

• Planning and implementing classroom activities, based on program-specific curriculum; 
• Supervising and interacting with children in a positive manner; 
• Developing and maintaining learning centers which reflect the interests and needs of the children enrolled in the program; 
• Providing a wide variety of experiences for children, with an emphasis on active learning; 
• Providing a well-supervised and safe environment; 
• Creating and implementing lesson plans; 
• Supervising assistant teachers in the classroom; 
• Demonstrating sensitivity and good judgment when interacting with children, parents and staff; 
• Reading, following and implementing all organization and program policies and procedures; 
• Encouraging language development and respect for language diversity in classroom and community; 
• Accomplishing other duties, as assigned, to create and maintain a quality preschool program; 
• Working effectively with other team members; 
• Actively participating in the in-service training; 
• Recruiting, training and supervising parents and other volunteers; 
• Collaborating with the teacher in planning, supervision, and implementation of the overall program; 
• Planning and implementing parents meetings and activities; 
• Providing a clean and sanitary facility (inside and out) on a daily basis, according to Options center-based checklist; 
• Working with site staff and children to maintain a clean environment in the classrooms, playground, lunch courtyard, and any other areas of the campus used by the program; 
• Coordinating activities with school administration, teachers, and collaborative community partners; 
• Communicating regularly with the family service specialist regarding the program’s recruitment needs, children’s enrollments and terminations, and site paperwork; 
• Submitting accurate and complete paperwork and documentation in a timely manner and according to program policies and procedures; 
• Promoting full enrollment and participating in recruitment of children as directed; 
• Accurately completing all assigned paperwork and documentation, on a timely basis, according to organization policies and procedures; 
• Assisting the teacher and education manager as needed; 
• Performing other duties as assigned. 

What you bring to the table 

• Child development associate teacher permit or CDA credential or associate’s or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education; 
• Twelve semester units acceptable to licensing in child development with a passing grade of “C” or better; 
• A minimum of six months experience working with children; 
• Current certification in pediatric CPR (yearly), pediatric first aid (yearly) and preventive health, which is acceptable to community care licensing (Health and Safety code 1596.866); 
• California driver’s license, daily use of an automobile, and current automobile liability insurance (preferred); 
• Ability to effectively communicate in written and oral English; 
• Command of Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin or Vietnamese (preferred). 

What we can offer you 

• Medical/dental/vision for part- and full-time employees (organization pays up to 90% of employee's premiums; prorated for part-time); 
• Organization-paid and matching retirement plan; 
• Professional growth opportunities, including free child development courses and college reimbursement; 
• Generous and flexible PTO; 
• Organization-wide shutdown from Christmas through New Year’s Day; 
• Dedicated, mission-driven colleagues, and much more! 

Job specifications 

• Expe