Assistant Preschool Teacher

ABOUT US

The Primary School is creating a new school model that brings together all of the adults in a child’s life, including parents, educators, and medical and mental health providers, starting from a very early age. We recognize the entrenched racism that exists within our public systems and the unjust impact this has had on families of color. Our aim is that children and families most impacted by systemic poverty and racism receive the multidisciplinary support they deserve to be well, learn, and thrive. 

Long-term, we hope to create a game-changing model that can be replicated across the country. As we continue to learn and grow, we plan to share what we’ve learned and pursue policy and systems change on a local, state, and national level. We are supported by a growing coalition of philanthropic partners, building on the generous support of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

Our approach has three defining characteristics:

• We start early. We start working with children as young as 12 months and provide full-time school starting at age three to reach them at a critical stage in development. 
• We partner with parents. We believe that when parents thrive, children thrive, so we support the wellness and growth of parents alongside the growth of their children.
• We integrate services. Our unique model unites health care and education, building a multi-disciplinary team and holistic system of care around a child’s full needs.

In 2016, we opened our flagship school in East Palo Alto, California, with our first class of four year olds. We have grown to serve over 400 children and their families through our Early Family Foundations program, parent wellness program, full-day preschool, and elementary/middle school, which will grow through eighth grade. In 2021, we opened our second site in the East Bay.

ABOUT OUR EAST PALO ALTO SITE

We are continuing to grow our East Palo Alto site and are excited to launch 7th grade for our 2024-2025 school year. In our school program, we currently serve over 400 students across two preschool grades (3 and 4 year olds) and kindergarten through sixth grade. Integrated into our program are the other core components of our model including our parent program - partnering closely with parents throughout their child’s development and providing wellness programming for caregivers; our Early Family Foundations program - coordinating early developmental screenings and intervention services; and our medical home partnerships - working with existing health care providers in the community to coordinate care for children. 

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Assistant Preschool Teacher  is responsible for supporting Lead and Associate Teachers in developing and delivering engaging, comprehensive and integrated units across a student’s day. Assistant Teachers provide students with continuity and support, and leverage multiple modalities of learning to ensure that all children receive the small group and individual attention they need to maximize growth. Assistant Teachers work with one classroom and teaching team (Lead Teacher + Associate Teacher) and provide classroom teachers with coverage for prep time, lunch, and breaks. Assistant Teachers also help to support classroom and school-wide systems (e.g., student pick-up, meal preparation) that allow The Primary School to provide students and families with a seamless and enriching day-long experience. Assistant Teachers schedule is from 9am-5pm to help facilitate our TPS ECE After School Care program. Assistant Teachers receive coaching and feedback from the classroom teams with whom they work as well as the ECE Dean. The Assistant Preschool Teacher reports to the Director of Program. This is a full time position and in-person.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships and actively engage with all students in the classroom
• Provide general support for Lead and Associate teachers while in classroom 
• Facilitate specific social skill/behavioral interventions for individual students and/or small groups - both inside and outside of the classroom
• Attend regular professional development and meetings with the Behavioral and Emotional Support Team.
• Support parent sign-in/-out process, transition to/from classroom, and/or other operational procedures
• Communicate information gathered from children or families to appropriate staff
• Regularly, support  in one classroom for the entire day if there is a coverage need due to teacher absence. 
• Co-Lead ECE TPS After School Care from 3:15-5pm, four days a week (MTuThF)
• Collaboration with Classroom Teams to practice skills and jointly problem solve
• Regular communication with and outreach to families.
• Part