Assistant Teacher

Occidental College; Firestone Park (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

The Assistant Preschool Teacher at Occidental College Child Development Center collaborates with Lead Preschool Teachers to implement a play-based, developmentally-appropriate curriculum for children aged 2–5 years. The position fosters a safe, respectful classroom and nurturing relationships with children and parents.

The role requires a minimum of 12 units in Child Development and prior preschool experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12 semester units in Child Development, including the core courses.
• Minimum 3 months of experience in a play-based preschool setting.
• Understanding of developmentally-appropriate, play-based, emergent curriculum models.
• Clear, effective communication in English (written and spoken).
• Familiarity with Title 22 Regulations and routine paperwork procedures.

Responsibilities

• Supervise children and ensure safety and well-being throughout the day.
• Collaborate with Lead Preschool Teachers to plan and implement a play-based curriculum.
• Build nurturing relationships with children and communicate with parents.
• Share in center-wide duties and assist teachers and substitutes as needed.
• Observe and document children’s growth using notes or apps and share with teachers.
• Engage in ongoing professional development and adhere to center policies.

Skills

Communication in English

Team collaboration

Observation skills

Adaptability

Child development basics

Education

12 semester units in Child Development (core courses)

Job description

About Occidental College

Founded in 1887, Occidental is a nationally recognized, privatecollege of the liberal arts and sciences, dedicated to providing agifted and diverse group of students with a total educationalexperience of the highest quality -- one that prepares them forleadership in an increasingly complex, interdependent andpluralistic world. What makes Occidental special? An intellectually rigorous academicenvironment. Small classroom settings where students collaboratewith professors and their peers while pursuing or discovering theirpassion. A beautiful residential campus that offers studentshands-on engagement with the cultural and intellectual resources ofLos Angeles. A community open to stimulating conversation anddivergent points of view. Some 2,100 students from 46 states and 28countries choose from 41 majors and minors and participate in onethe country’s top undergraduate research programs. Oxy studentsroutinely win top awards and fellowships; its first Rhodes Scholarwas named in 1907. Dedicated to excellence and equity, Occidentalalso is one of the country’s most economically diverse campuses,according to the New York Times. Some 71 percent of Oxy studentsreceive some form of financial aid; 20 percent are Pell Grantrecipients; and 19 percent are the first in their family to attendcollege

Title: Assistant Teacher

Department: Child Development Center

Duration: 6 months - End Date: June 11, 2027 (PossibleExtension)

Employment Status: Non-Exempt, Part-Time, 29 hours perweek

Job Summary

The Assistant Preschool Teacher at Occidental College ChildDevelopment Center is responsible for collaborating with LeadPreschool Teachers to implement a play-based,developmentally-appropriate, emergent curriculum which addressedthe development of the whole child, for children aged 2-5 yearsold. The position involves fostering a safe, respectful, andcommunity-oriented classroom environment, forming nurturingrelationships with children, and maintaining open communicationwith parents. The Assistant Preschool Teacher must have the abilityto work effectively and collaboratively within a team of earlychildhood educators, as well as establish and maintain respectfulpartnerships with parents. Essential qualifications for thispart-time role include a minimum of 12 units in Child Development,experience working in a preschool classroom setting, a basicunderstanding of Child Development theories, and effectivecommunication skills. The role requires a commitment to ongoingprofessional development and adherence to relevant regulations andpolicies.

Job Duties

• 35% - Child Supervision and Care: Provide constant supervisionof children and attend to their physical and emotional needs;ensure children’s safety and well-being. - (Essential)
• 15% - Collaborate on Curriculum Development: Work closely withLead Preschool Teachers to plan and implement adevelopmentally-appropriate, play-based curriculum which: 1) meetsthe needs of the whole child, 2) is based on the current interestsand developmental needs of the children (using an EmergentCurriculum approach), and 3) is in alignment with the Center’seducational philosophy. - (Marginal)
• 20% - Relationship Building and Communication: Form close,nurturing relationships with children, establish collaborative and respectful partnerships with parents, and contribute to a positive,community-oriented classroom environment. Maintain opencommunication with parents, informing them about their child’sneeds and school experience, as necessary. - (Essential)
• 20% - Assist in General Classroom and Center-wide Duties: Shareresponsibility for completing general classroom and Center-wideduties, including keeping Center clean and safe. Contribute to thesmooth operation of the Center and assist teachers and children inother groups, as needed. Respond receptively to direction andmentoring from Lead Preschool Teachers and Director. Assume LeadPreschool Teacher, duties as needed. Complete routine paperwork andadminister medications, as needed. Provide support to substitutes,volunteers, new staff, and student workers as needed. -(Essential)
• 5% - Documentation of Children’s Learning and Development:Regularly observe and briefly document children's growth in variousdevelopmental areas through the use of notes, photos and/or theLearning Genie app. Share observations with Lead Preschool Teachersfor ongoing assessment. - (Marginal)
• 5% - Professional Development: Engage in ongoing professionalgrowth through in-service professional development, workshops,seminars, and additional ECE/CD courses. - (Marginal)

Minimum Qualifications

• A minimum of 12 semester units in Child Development - whichmust include the 3 core courses of: a basic Child Growth andDevelopment course, a course on Child, Family and Community, and acourse on planning Curriculum for young children.
• A minimum of 3 months of experience working in a play-basedearly childhood education setting.
• Understanding of basic Child Development theories and currentbest practices in Early Childhood Education.
• Familiarity with developmentally-appropriate, play-based,emergent curriculum models.
• Strong understanding of the specific educational philosophy ofthe Child Development Center.
• Familiarity with Title 22 Regulations.
• Understanding of procedures for completing routine paperworkprocedures (accident/incident reports, sign-in/out, emergencycontact, medication administration, etc.).
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Lead Teachers inplanning and implementing a play-based,developmentally-appropriate, emergent curriculum.
• Skill in providing educational activities for children whichare based on the children’s interests and needs.
• Good observational skills and understanding of appropriateassessment criteria for children aged two to five.
• Documentation skills for recording observations of children'sgrowth and development.
• Clear, effective, and professional communication in English,both oral and written.
• Interpersonal skills to interact and work effectively withchildren, parents, and co-workers.
• Flexibility to assist in all Center activities, includingcovering other classrooms, as needed.
• Supervisory ability to ensure the safety and well-being ofchildren throughout the day.
• Ability to adapt curriculum and expectations based onindividual children's needs.
• Ability to create and maintain a safe, inviting, andchild-centered classroom environment.
• Capacity to form nurturing relationships with children andcollaborate with parents.
• Ability to interact positively and work effectively withchildren, parents, and co-workers.
• Professionalism and ethical conduct, including maintainingconfidentiality and refraining from unprofessional behavior.
  Flexibility to meet the diverse needs of the Center, cover otherclassrooms when necessary, and assist Center-wide duties, asneeded.
• Physical capability to lift children weighing up to 50 poundsand actively engage in play with children.
• Capability to maintain a physically healthy condition toperform assigned tasks.
• Punctuality, dependability, and responsibility in meetingjob-related goals.
• Successful completion and maintenance of necessarycertifications, including Mandated Reporter Training, criminalbackground check, health screening, TB test, proof of certainimmunizations, and CPR/First Aid Certification.

Preferred Qualifications

• 18 or more units in Child Development - which must include the3 core courses of: a basic Child Growth and Development course, acourse on Child, Family and Community, and a course on planningCurriculum for young children.
• 1 or more years of experience working in a play-based earlychildhood education setting. Experience working in a program thatutilizes an emergent curriculum.

EXPECTED HIRING RANGE: $20.00/hr-#23.00/hr