School Age Assistant Teacher

Catalyst Family•Antelope, CA

About The Position

Catalyst teaching staff support the planning and implementation of programming for children from infancy through school age, depending on the location. The School Age Assistant Teacher facilitates age-appropriate activities, supports children’s social-emotional development, and ensures that children are supervised in a healthy and safe environment. This is generally an entry-level position that supports classroom needs under the direction and supervision of another staff member. The role involves implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum, maintaining enriched and supportive learning environments, building culturally responsive relationships with children, youth, families, schools, communities, and colleagues, and helping deliver high-quality programs. Teaching staff are expected to maintain positive interactions, be punctual and regularly present, participate in indoor and outdoor activities, follow safety guidelines, report health and safety issues, and remain calm when providing first aid during emergencies. Staff work indoors and outdoors and may encounter noise, varied weather and terrain, and physical tasks such as bending, lifting, twisting, reaching, pushing, and pulling. They may need to lift, carry, or hold objects weighing up to 15 pounds, adapt to children’s physical level during activities, inspect environments for hazards, and supervise field trips to destinations such as aquatic parks, beaches, and trampoline parks. Education and permit requirements may vary by center and program. The stated education requirement is six postsecondary semester units (or equivalent quarter units) in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field, with grades of C- or better, or a qualifying regional occupation program certificate of training in child care issues accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Six months of experience in a group care environment serving a consistent age group is preferred.

Requirements

Six postsecondary semester units, or equivalent quarter units, in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field, with passing 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.
Effective problem-solving, conflict-resolution, classroom-management, and communication skills with children and families.
Ability to organize and manage time and complete curriculum and assessment documentation, including lesson plans, portfolios, and anecdotal notes.
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 perform frequent bending, lifting, twisting, reaching, pushing, and pulling, and to push, lift, carry, or hold objects weighing up to 15 pounds.
Ability to work indoors and outdoors in weather conditions considered safe for children, traverse varied terrain and heights, and tolerate occasional loud noise.
Ability to be punctual and present on a regularly scheduled basis.

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 language skills, depending on individual center needs.

Responsibilities

Support implementation of 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, culturally responsive relationships with children, youth, families, schools, communities, and classroom or center 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.
Be active in indoor and outdoor programs and maintain positive interactions with children and youth.
Follow safety guidelines, identify and report health and safety issues or incidents to management, and remain calm when providing first aid as needed.
Inspect environments for hazards and take preventative actions to maintain children’s safety.
Adapt to children’s physical level during activities and problem-solving interactions.
Supervise field trips to destinations such as aquatic parks, beaches, and trampoline parks.