Early Childhood Assistant Teacher

Position Title: Early Childhood Assistant Teacher

Job Type: Hourly, Non-Exempt (Assistant)

Reports To: Head of School

FTE: 35-40 hours/week (.95 FTE)

Hours: Typically 10:00 am - 6:00 pm, hours may vary

Early Childhood Assistant Teacher

Are you the type of teacher who is excited by experiential, play-based learning opportunities in a small school environment? 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, staff, and families. Gardner School has two campus locations, our Preschool - 6th grade Main Campus in the Mt. Vista neighborhood in Vancouver, and the 18 months - school age Country Friends Campus in Hockinson.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Our Early Childhood Assistant Teacher works together with lead teachers, parents, students, faculty, staff, and administration to support a caring, play-based learning environment rich in developmentally appropriate academics and supporting growth in social-emotional skills. The ideal candidate is someone who sees value in being part of a team, and who can be flexible to respond to needs of the whole school. For candidates working with the Early Childhood position, current Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) certification is required (assistance available for the right candidate). Assistant Teachers are often called upon first for substitute teaching opportunities, or for future growth opportunities at Gardner.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Assist Lead Teacher(s) with classroom management and be committed to overseeing the safety and well-being of students in the classroom and outdoors. This includes providing minor first aid and occasional toileting assistance as needed.

- Help to maintain school policies, expectations, and regulations (including WAC and DCYF rules), and complete required forms and assessments in a timely manner.

- Assist in the preparation of the indoor and outdoor learning environments (ex: preparing materials and supplies, cleaning up, properly storing materials in collaboration with the children). This includes assessing areas for risk, cleaning and repairing items as needed and possible.

- Attend and support the classroom events as needed. Occasionally represent the school at community or public events, sometimes on evenings or weekends.

- Complete additional duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

- Completed AA or higher degree, preferably in a field related to education or child development, and/or Certificate in Early Childhood Education, and/or 5+ years’ experience working with EC students in a classroom setting. Minimum DCYF certification is required prior to beginning work including a clean Portable Background Check, First Aid and CPR certification, a negative tuberculosis test, and proof of vaccination against or immunity to measles. Gardner can help with the logistics, process, and cost if you do not have a current DCYF certification.

- Child Care Basics or equivalent must be completed within 30 days of hire. Additional training requirements must be - completed in a timely manner, including DCYF and SafeSchools training. Failure to complete these requirements by the deadlines may result in termination of employment.

- 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.

- Desire 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, and understands the importance of being professional in the school community. Meets the high expectations of the work environment, following policies outlined in the Gardner School 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.

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 faculty position that follows an academic year, including In Service days. Summer camp work may be available in addition to regular school year hours. Gardner is closed for two weeks in the winter, and one week in the spring. There are some required commitments outside of regular school hours, including occasional evenings and weekend obligations. At times, teachers are asked to travel with the class on various experiential activities throughout the year; Main Campus preschool and Pre-K classes require parents to attend along with students and teachers.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Physical requirements are consistent with light physical duties required of teachers generally combined with more strenuous physical duties consistent with play-based experiential learning and student trips off campus.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Salary: $18-$22/ hour (10 month position)

Position Classification: Hourly, Non-Exempt (Assistant Teacher)

Hours: 35-40 hours per week (.95 FTE)

Benefits: Positions that are (0.75) FTE (30 hours per week) and higher qualify for Medical and Dental with employer contribution up to 100% (dependent on schedule), retirement plan (up to 3% employer match), and paid time off. Gardner School Main Campus also observes 8 paid holidays per academic year.

If this sounds like a good fit for you, please reply with your resume and introductory letter expressing your interest in teaching or working at Gardner School of Arts & Sciences.

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.