The Growing Place Position Description

Position: Co-Lead Teacher

Location: Growing Place (Ocean Park- 401 Ashland Avenue; Marine Park- 1406 Marine Street; Lab School - 1802 4th Street)

Status: Full-time, non-exempt

Reports to: Campus Director

Hours: Monday-Friday, TBD (8 hr. day)

Description of the Position

The Co-Lead Teacher is responsible for teaching, learning, observations, documentation, research, and communication within the Growing Place organization. The candidate is expected to collaborate within their teaching team and other fellow colleagues. This position requires a candidate to be a critical thinker, reflective, communicative, curious, inclusive, and professional; the candidate knows how to work with children in a developmentally appropriate manner with a social constructivist approach and fulfills the Growing Place’s mission, philosophy, and pedagogy.

Responsibilities and Duties

Teaching and learning (70%)

Plan, facilitate, and observe experiences for children that align with Growing Place philosophy and pedagogical practices.

Collaborate with the children, teaching team, and Education Coordinating Team to design, interpret, and research curricula such as lines of inquiry and provocations.

Use research and documentation to inform teaching practices and curriculum decisions.

Establish strong daily routines and rhythms for adults and children

Co-lead daily small group work and meetings with children and teachers

Differentiate teaching for children with a variety of learning styles, temperaments, and interests

Create a sense of joyful learning with children

Establish a positive, warm and safe atmosphere for children and adults to grow and develop

Become a member of the community through collaborative teaching

Intentionally design indoor and outdoor spaces that reflect Growing Place principles and pedagogy

Build authentic partnerships with parents informally and formally

Communicate with parents regarding their child’s development and support parents in feeling a sense of belonging in the community

Additional responsibilities will be assigned by the supervisor and outlined in work plans.

Research and Dissemination (30%)

Regularly employ appropriate technology required to plan, organize, observe, document, and make accessible the experiences of children and adults including photographs, video/audio recordings, scanned work.

Employ strategies for making adult and children’s learning visible in various ways, including Parent Square posts, documentation panels, and portfolios.

Prepare and hold one Parent Teacher Meeting for new families with your teaching team.

Prepare and hold two Parent-Teacher Conferences for each child in the classroom of your teaching team.

Regularly communicate evidence of reflective practice with the teaching team in daily team meetings and weekly Research and Inquiry Meetings.

Engage in events to create stronger partnerships in the community (ex: Back to School Night, Open House Night, Parent-Teacher Dialogues, Educator Tours, Admissions Tours)

Actively participate in professional development opportunities

Actively participate in all team and staff meetings

Leverage networks and resources within the early childhood education field

Contribute to workshops, committees, publications

Additional responsibilities will be assigned by the supervisor and outlined in work plans.

Minimum Qualifications/Requirements

Skills

A Bachelor’s Degree or higher

At least 12 Early Childhood Units; 15 ECE units or more preferred

2 years of experience working with children ages 3 months-6 years old in a licensed child care program, a NAEYC accredited child care center preferred

Must meet the requirements of the California Department of Social Services (licensing), including an updated TB status, CPR certification, and fingerprint clearance.

Demonstrated understanding of child development

Competencies

Values parents as important partners in the work of the school

Pays attention to the many ways that children make meaning of the world

Collaborates with children and adults in positive ways

Exhibits a positive, team player spirit

Has a keen interest and curiosity about the nature of learning and teaching

Finds joy in working with children and adults

Approaches teaching as a life-long learner

Embraces reflection as a tool for growth and learning

Demonstrates commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity

Seeks out resources to continually improve one’s practice

Values learning from mistakes

Establishes professional boundaries with children, parents, and colleagues

Demonstrates professionalism in dress, attitude, communication, and punctuality

Shows and values integrity for oneself and others

Provides value add to the organization beyond the job position

Working Conditions

Standing and sitting in indoor and outdoor environments designed for children ages 2.5 to 5

Ability to move rapidly from a sitting to a standing position, and to be able to get down and up off the ground as needed

Ability to push, pull, or lift up to 50lbs

Working in all weather conditions

Requires developmentally normal hearing abilities and visual acuity

Requires strong communication skills with children, families, faculty, and staff

Salary and Benefits

Salary Range: $25-$29/hr ($52,000-$60,320) DOE

Benefits:

• 4 Weeks paid staff synchronized vacation (school closure: winter, spring, and summer break)
• 10 Paid National/State Holidays
• 72 Hours of Paid Sick Leave (PSL) at the start of the school year. Mid-year hires accrue PSL at the rate of 1 hour for every 30 worked. At the end of each school year, any unused PSL will be rolled over to the next school year as Paid Time Off (PTO) to be capped at 108 hours.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits Covered at 100%
• Life Insurance with a fully paid premium and a $25,000 benefit.
• 403(b) retirement plan with a 50% match up to 3%
• Eligible for Public Loan Forgiveness Program