2024-2025 Extended Care Specialist

Gardner School is looking for dedicated and creative educators to join our dynamic staff and

help move the school forward as a leader in progressive education in Clark County. Gardner is

a place where creativity, connection, curiosity, and courage are celebrated, and where learning

is ongoing for students and staff.

Position Summary:

Our Extended Care Specialists work together with homeroom teachers, parents, students,

other staff, and administration to support students before and after the usual school day,

continuing an experience rich in academics and social-emotional skills. Importantly, an

Extended Care Specialist at Gardner brings curiosity, creativity, courage, and connection to

our community, demonstrating an appreciation for the same qualities in our students. The ideal

candidate is someone who sees value in being part of a team, who sees the humor in life and

can roll with the daily changes, and who can be flexible to respond to needs of the whole

school. For candidates working with Early Childhood students, current Department of Children,

Youth, and Families (DCYF) certification is required; we can help the right candidate to

become certified. Extended Care Specialists may be called upon for substitute teaching

opportunities or other school-day support needs, as well.

Responsibilities:

 10-15 hours per week. Potential for more hours for the right candidate, up to 20.

 Work with students in the Preschool/PreK program and/or the K-6 program.

 After Care hours are M/T/Th/Fr from 3pm to 6pm for Preschool/PreK and from

3:30pm to 6pm for K-6. Wednesday hours are 1pm to 6pm for Preschool/PreK

and 1:45pm to 6pm for K-6.

 Additional Extended Care hours may be required during In-Service days or

special events, primarily for staff children.

 If there are no students left on campus, the Extended Care Specialists may have

additional duties, or may leave prior to 6pm, based on school needs and

negotiated expectations.

 Supervise indoor and outdoor play.

 Address social and emotional needs of students.

 Develop engaging activities and programs that are developmentally appropriate for

students.

 Work with other staff and outside programs such as Chess Wizards, Girl Scouts, and

local Soccer programs to support extracurricular activities at Gardner.

 Ensure students are signed in and/or out from Extended Care, per school procedures

and DCYF requirements.

 After Care staff sweeps the campus to ensure doors are locked and the campus is

secure before going home.

 Attend and support the classroom events as needed. Occasionally represent the school

at community or public events, sometimes on evenings or weekends.

 Complete additional facilities and support duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

 Earned high school diploma or higher degree, preferably in a field related to education

or child development. If working with our early childhood students, DCYF certification is

required prior to beginning work. Certification will require a clean background check,

First Aid and CPR certification, and a tuberculosis test. Gardner can help with the

logistics and process if you do not have a current DCYF certification.

 Experience with children in formal or informal settings, and can show creativity and

kindness in response to the natural benefits and challenges of working with children

with a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, skills, and developmental levels.

 Sees the joy in working with children, and wants to contribute in positive ways to a

school community. Excited about working in a play-based preschool environment and/or

a dynamic elementary school environment.

 Dependable and punctual, understands the importance of being dependable for the

school community. Meets professional expectations of the work environment, following

policies outlined in the Employee Handbook.

 Willing to work with staff and administrators to reflect on processes, initiatives, and daily

work expectations. Open to feedback and has a growth mindset about the role.

 Can navigate verbal, digital, and written communication with administrators, staff,

parents, and students to effectively communicate and work through challenges. Curious

and kind in communication, showing care and openness to various cultures,

experiences, and responses.

 Able to meet physical requirements consistent with light physical duties required of an

Extended Care Specialist, generally combined with more strenuous physical duties

consistent with place-based experiential learning and student trips off campus.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Faculty members are at all times responsible for the

supervision of students in their care during classes and for students generally at all times when

on campus or off campus during school activities.

WORKING CONDITIONS: This is a 10-month position that follows an academic year. There

are some required commitments outside of regular school hours, including evening and

weekend commitments.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Physical requirements are consistent with light physical duties

required of teachers generally combined with more strenuous physical duties consistent with

place-based experiential learning and outdoor supervision of students.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Salary: $17.00-$19.00 per hour depending on experience.

Position Classification: Extended Care Specialist (Hourly, non-exempt)

Hours: Part Time, specific hours depend on Early Childhood or K-6 assignment.

If this sounds like a good fit for you, please reply with a resume and introductory letter

expressing your interest in teaching or working at Gardner School of Arts & Sciences.

What makes Gardner a unique place to work?

 A legacy going back to 1995, when we were founded on the tenets of progressive

education, with a focus on Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences.

 Our values as a school influence all decisions we make, and our team strives to make

the work environment productive, collaborative, and kind.

 Teachers create engaging, integrated learning opportunities connecting students with

art, science, movement, language, music, and nature. Class sizes are small at Gardner,

under 18 students, so teachers get to focus on building strong relationships and

meeting student needs.

 Our teachers are known for being collaborative and collegial, and pursue professional

development to grow in skills and knowledge. A growth mindset is valued at Gardner.

 Our small administrative team is passionate about the work we do at Gardner, and our

teachers are supported through collaborative conversations focused on professional

growth and student success. We are committed to creating a workplace that is inclusive,

diverse, equitable, and sustainable for teachers.

 Our curriculum approach allows teachers to tailor learning opportunities to the needs of

their students. Following our core standards and best practices, teachers can utilize

innovative approaches to ignite curiosity and deepen student learning.

 Our 5 acre campus is situated near WSU-V, allowing for hiking and nature opportunities

on their trail system. Our wetlands and school garden provide opportunities for teachers

to use the natural world in their lesson design.

It is the policy of Gardner School to maintain a working environment free of all forms of

unlawful discrimination. Gardner School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,

gender, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, religion and national or

ethnic origin, age, or disability in the administration of educational policies, employment

practices or any other school-administered policies or practices.