Teacher - PreK

Walnut Avenue Family & Women's Center•Santa Cruz, CA

1d•$27 - $32•Onsite

About The Position

Teachers are part of the Early Education program team. The Teacher’s primary role is to provide early care and education to children.

Requirements

Regular use of hands, wrists and finger movements; ability to perform repetitive motion (keyboard), writing (note-taking). Ability to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment
Ability to sit, stand, kneel, squat for long periods of time (Teaching staff); twisting, bending, pushing, pulling, climb/descend stairs, holding and lifting up to 40 lbs.
Ability to interact with children at their height level/on the classroom floor and may include crawling on hands and knees.
Ability to hear normal speech, hear and talk to exchange information in person and telephone
Ability to think and work effectively under pressure; Ability to effectively serve participants; decision making, maintain a concentrated level of attention to information communicate in person and by telephone throughout a typical workday; ability to understand and retain instructions from supervisor in person, by email or by telephone; attention to detail.
Title 5: A teacher must hold or be eligible for and apply with -in 30 days of hire, a valid teacher’s Child Development Permit which requires 24 units of ECE including the core courses; child growth and development, child, family and community; and program/curriculum plus 16 General Ed units and 175 days of 3+ hours per day of experience in the past 4 years. Or an AA in ECE or a related field with three units supervised field experience in an ECE setting.
Title 22: A teacher shall have completed with passing grades a least six postsecondary semester units of specified early childhood education classes and be currently enrolled in Early Education Classes, or have a valid Child Development Assistant permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. A teacher hired with six units must complete at least two additional units each semester until fully qualified. A fully qualified teacher shall have 12 postsecondary semester units in early childhood education from an accredited college and six months of work experience in a licensed Child Care Center or similar program. The units shall include courses covering child growth and development; child, family and community; and program/curriculum. A teacher shall complete 15 hours of health and safety training, if necessary, pursuant to Health and Safety code, Section 1596.866.
If working in the Infant program additional requirements: Teacher working in the infant/toddler program must have 4 additional units in Infant /Toddler development.
All Staff must have a valid/current Infant and Child CPR and First Aid card.
Must have a health screening including full immunization and a negative TB, DPT and MMR test
English proficiency required (ability to speak, read, and write)
All offers of employment at Walnut Avenue are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check/fingerprinting.
If this position requires driving on behalf of the agency, a DMV background check will also be required.
Competent computer and smartphone abilities including intermediate Microsoft Office skills the internet, and other software applications
Ability to professionally represent the agency through appropriate demeanor and attire
Capable of working collaboratively and independently
Maintain a high level of self-awareness and healthy boundaries with participants
Desire to self-reflect and evaluate personal beliefs, biases, values, attitudes and actions
Maintain and practice a comprehensive self-care routine
Maintain flexibility regarding job roles and duties
Ability to apply the strength-based model to support volunteers and co-workers
Ability to manage volunteers including creating a welcoming environment, setting clear expectations, having healthy boundaries and addressing performance issues
Capacity to assess, prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast paced and ever-changing environment with minimal supervision
Ability to efficiently evaluate and problem solve complex issues
Commitment to maintain a mutually respectful & supportive work environment that values and empowers team members to collectively accomplish program goals

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish (helpful but not required)

Responsibilities

Plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum with team members in the areas of language development/ early literacy skills, math skills, social emotional, science, creative expression and fostering independence
Monitor children indoors/outdoors for safety and appropriate interactions between children following all licensing regulations
Engage with children in your care using appropriate language and tools that adheres to EEC philosophy
Care for the children’s basic needs such as eating, sleeping/resting, diapering/toileting, dressing and basic hygiene
Provide for children’s emotional needs such as physical nurturing, problem solving, fostering autonomy, respecting children’s feelings, providing positive communication, facilitating peer interaction and aiding in the development of appropriate social skills. Models positive communication skills
Plan and carry out daily circle times (Morning and Afternoon), that stimulate cognitive growth, develop literacy skills, increase creativity and are developmentally and age appropriate.
Set up a stimulating classroom environment indoors and out including activities that support the development of the whole child
Foster an anti-bias classroom environment
Maintain confidentiality about the children/families in our program
Seek support from supervisor and/or Behavioral Health Specialist to assist you with children in your classroom
Model, mentor and foster clear communication with coworkers and supervisor to assist in developing cooperative team
Attend and participate in staff meetings as well as any necessary training for the position
Greet families and children and assists children in their adjustment to the center daily
Develop a positive rapport with the parent/guardian(s)
Communicate with the parent/guardian daily about their child’s day
Exchange important information about with the parent/guardian about their child
Respond to the parent’s/guardian’s needs and ideas
Inform families of and promotes up-coming agency and program events
Develop a positive rapport with families by greeting them, communicating daily about their child’s day and responding to their needs and ideas through collaboration
Inform families of and promote upcoming agency and program events
Maintains necessary documentation, reports and charts to meet licensing requirements, CDE contract requirements and to meet program standards
Performs other responsibilities as required
Other duties as assigned by the supervisor