Preschool Assistant Teacher

Catalyst Family•Elk Grove, CA

21h

About The Position

Catalyst teaching staff support the planning and implementation of programming for children ranging from infants through school age, depending on the location. Assistant Teachers facilitate age-appropriate activities, support children’s social-emotional development, and ensure children are supervised in a healthy and safe environment. This is an entry-level role supporting classroom needs under the direction and supervision of another staff member. Education and permit requirements may vary by center and program, including age-group-specific requirements.

Requirements

At least 6 postsecondary semester units, or equivalent quarter units, in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field, with grades of C- or better; alternatively, a Regional Occupation Program certificate of training in child care issues accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Education and permit requirements may vary by center needs and may require age-group-specific units or requirements related to Infant, Toddler, School-Age, Title 5, or Title 22 programs.
Effective problem-solving, conflict-resolution, classroom-management, and communication skills with children and families.
Effective organization and time-management skills, including curriculum and assessment documentation.
Ability to work alongside colleagues and maintain a professional team environment.
Ability to be physically and mentally capable of interacting with children up to 13 years of age, meeting their needs and ensuring their safety.
Ability to work indoors and outdoors in weather conditions considered safe for children and to traverse varied terrain and heights depending on the school environment.
Ability to adapt physically to children’s level, including sitting on the floor, kneeling, and squatting.
Comfort with occasional loud noise and frequent bending, lifting, twisting, reaching, pushing, and pulling.
Ability to push, lift, carry, and hold objects weighing up to 15 pounds, individually or with a team.

Nice To Haves

Six months of experience in a group-care environment providing care or teaching for a consistent age group.
Current adult and infant/child CPR and First Aid certification.
Bilingual or multilingual ability, based on individual center needs.

Responsibilities

Support developmentally appropriate curriculum connected to children’s interests and positive development.
Maintain intentional, enriched, supportive, and age-appropriate learning environments and experiences.
Build authentic, reciprocal, and culturally responsive relationships with children, youth, families, schools, communities, and classroom teams while providing excellent customer service.
Keep children healthy and safe through proper supervision, positive interactions, healthy habits, and compliance with requirements.
Collaborate with fellow staff to provide high-quality programs and creative workplaces.
Maintain positive interactions with children and youth and kind, respectful, and safe emotional and physical environments.
Arrive on time and attend regularly scheduled work.
Participate actively in indoor and outdoor programs.
Implement safety guidelines, identify and report health and safety issues or incidents to management, and remain calm when providing first aid during emergencies as needed.
Inspect environments for hazards and take preventative actions to maintain children’s safety.
Support classroom needs under the direction and supervision of another staff member.
Document curriculum and assessments, including lesson plans, portfolios, and anecdotal notes.
Supervise field trips to destinations such as aquatic parks, beaches, and trampoline parks.