Preschool Teacher

Catalyst Family•Fairfield, CA

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. Teachers facilitate age-appropriate activities, support children’s social-emotional development, and ensure children are supervised at all times in a healthy and safe environment. The teacher creates and implements developmentally appropriate curriculum and intentional, enriched, supportive learning environments. The role also builds authentic, reciprocal, and culturally responsive relationships with children, youth, families, schools, communities, and colleagues; supports children’s health and safety; and collaborates with fellow staff to provide high-quality programs and creative workplaces. Teaching staff work indoors and outdoors and may supervise field trips. They are expected to be punctual, regularly present, active in indoor and outdoor programs, and physically and mentally capable of meeting the needs of children up to age 13. The position involves adapting to children’s physical level during activities, working in safe weather conditions and across varied terrain, and performing physical tasks such as bending, lifting, and carrying objects up to 15 pounds.

Requirements

Meet one of the stated education or permit pathways: 24 postsecondary semester units (or equivalent quarter units) in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field with grades of C- or better, plus 16 general education units; an AA degree or higher in ECE, CD, or a related field from a nationally accredited college; or a Teacher Permit or above issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Use effective problem-solving, conflict-resolution, classroom-management, and communication skills with children and families.
Demonstrate effective organization and time management, and document curriculum and assessment through lesson plans, portfolios, and anecdotal notes.
Work alongside colleagues and maintain a professional team environment.
Be punctual and present on a regularly scheduled basis.
Be physically and mentally capable of interacting with children up to 13 years of age, meeting their needs, and ensuring their safety.
Be comfortable with occasional loud noise, frequent bending, lifting, twisting, reaching, pushing, and pulling, and adapting to children’s physical level during activities.
Push, lift, carry, or hold objects weighing up to 15 pounds, individually or as part of a team.
Work indoors and outdoors in weather conditions considered safe for children and traverse varied terrain and heights, depending on the school environment.

Nice To Haves

Two years of experience in a group-care environment providing care or teaching for a consistent age group.
One year of experience supervising adults or equivalent adult supervision units.
Current adult and infant/child CPR and First Aid certification.
Bilingual or multilingual language skills, depending on individual center needs.

Responsibilities

Create and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum based on learning foundations, children’s interests, and positive child development.
Create, implement, and maintain intentional, enriched, supportive, age-appropriate learning environments and quality experiences.
Build authentic connections and reciprocal, culturally responsive relationships with children, youth, families, schools, communities, and the center/classroom team.
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.
Remain aware of and implement safety guidelines; report health and safety issues or incidents to management.
Identify environmental hazards and take preventative actions to maintain a safe environment for children.
Supervise children during activities and field trips, including trips to destinations such as aquatic parks, beaches, and trampoline parks.
Provide first aid as needed during emergency situations while remaining calm.