Preschool Associate Teacher

Catalyst Kids•Menifee, CA

20h

About The Position

Catalyst teaching staff support the planning and implementation of programming for children, with age groups varying by location. Associate Teachers share responsibility with the teaching team for the care and education of an assigned group of children or classroom. They facilitate age-appropriate activities, support children’s social-emotional development, and ensure children are supervised in a healthy and safe environment. The role includes creating developmentally appropriate curriculum and enriched learning environments, building culturally responsive relationships with children, families, schools, and communities, and collaborating with colleagues to provide high-quality programs. Teaching staff are expected to participate actively in indoor and outdoor programs, follow safety guidelines, and report health and safety concerns or incidents to management. The work involves indoor and outdoor settings and may include exposure to varied weather and occasional loud noise. Physical activities may include frequent bending, lifting, twisting, reaching, pushing, and pulling; handling objects weighing up to 15 pounds; traversing varied terrain and heights; and adapting to children’s physical level during activities. Staff may also supervise field trips to destinations such as aquatic parks, beaches, and trampoline parks. This is a full-time position scheduled Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Requirements

12–24 postsecondary semester units, or equivalent quarter units, in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field, with passing grades of C- or better; or an Associate Teacher Permit or higher issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Effective problem-solving, conflict-resolution, classroom-management, and communication skills with children and families.
Effective organization and time-management skills.
Ability to work alongside colleagues and maintain a professional team environment.
Ability to meet children’s needs and ensure their safety, including children up to 13 years of age.
Ability to perform the physical activities described, including frequent bending, lifting, twisting, reaching, pushing, and pulling, and handling objects weighing up to 15 pounds.
Ability to work indoors and outdoors in weather conditions that are safe for children and to traverse varied terrain and heights.

Nice To Haves

6–12 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 language skills, based on individual center needs.

Responsibilities

Create and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum supported by learning foundations, connected to children’s interests, and promoting positive child development.
Create, implement, and maintain intentional, enriched, supportive, and age-appropriate learning environments and experiences.
Build authentic connections and reciprocal, culturally responsive relationships with children, youth, families, schools, communities, and classroom teams.
Keep children healthy and safe through proper supervision, positive interactions, healthy habits, and compliance with applicable requirements.
Collaborate with fellow staff to provide high-quality programs and creative workplaces.
Maintain kind, respectful, and safe emotional and physical environments for children.
Be punctual and present on a regularly scheduled basis, and participate actively in indoor and outdoor programs.
Follow safety guidelines, identify and address hazards, and report health and safety issues or incidents to management.
Remain calm when providing first aid during emergencies, as needed.
Supervise field trips, including trips to aquatic parks, beaches, and trampoline parks.
Document curriculum and assessments, including lesson plans, portfolios, and anecdotal notes.