Lower School Associate Teacher

Description

We are seeking a warm, experienced, and innovative associate teacher to join our teaching team, working as a teaching/learning partner with our students and families. Associate teachers at Blue Oak School have the challenging and rewarding opportunity to plan special activities and events to make learning fun for students while supporting the Lead Teacher with all aspects of the classroom. Associates support students by using initiative and creative ability to find activities that support students who need extra challenge or additional help with concepts. Associate teachers meet student interests, needs and individual development levels, by actively participating in the planning with the Lead Teacher. Associates have a positive impact on students early in their educational career and inspire the love of inquiry and learning. Being an associate teacher allows one to connect with students in a positive, engaging way that helps them learn in the ways they are most successful. A love of learning, a love of school, and a willingness to support unique and unpredictable learning journeys by students will help you thrive at Blue Oak School.

Blue Oak School, nestled in beautiful downtown Napa, CA, is a K-8 progressive school of about 200 students that offers a challenging and stimulating education to children of diverse backgrounds, experiences and interests. Through the culture and community of the School, teachers nurture the development of character and foster confidence, creativity, flexibility and curiosity in each child. Students, in turn, encourage each other to learn. Relationships among freedom, responsibility, community and environment are explored through studies that engage students as stewards in service to the School, the region, and the world. Blue Oak School does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual or gender identity in its hiring processes and actively promotes the principles and practices of diversity throughout the school community.  

If hired, the annual wage range for this position is between $18 and $22 per hour. The pay rate may vary depending on preparation, skills and experience. Competitive benefits, for eligible employees, include medical, dental, life insurance, 401k retirement match, and generous paid time off benefits.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Coursework in Early Childhood Education or bachelor’s preferred
• One year or more of experience working with children in an early childhood program
• CPR/First Aid certification

Attributes

• Commitment to personal and professional development and a growth mindset
• High expectations for self, colleagues and students
• Hardworking, organized, good communicator, and reliable
• Ability to model professional and ethical standards when working with students and families
• Sense of humor, authentic empathy, warmth, and collegiality
• Desire and ability to contribute to student and community life inside and outside the classroom
• Commitment to social justice and fostering culturally competent and inclusive classrooms
• Ability to model professional and ethical standards when working with students and families
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team
• Ability to exercise gentle authority consistent with our school culture
• Strong communication skills with students, parents and colleagues

Responsibilities

• Create a safe, welcoming space that values language, culture and individual traditions for students and other family members.
• Follow all guidelines for health, safety, supervision and the personal rights of students to ensure that they have a safe place to learn both emotional skills and intellectual concepts.
• Design, create and implement activities and engagements that give students a chance to learn important concepts in an interactive, hands-on manner.
• Provide learning experiences that promote literacy, science, math and language concepts while encouraging appropriate social interaction between students.
• Substitute for the lead teacher on occasion and take the lead in some lessons or activities as arranged with the Lead Teacher based on skills and experience. 
• Teach students self-help skills and ways to solve problems on their own that are effective, appropriate and successful.
• Watch for and document emerging interests of every student, showing progress through weekly planning meetings and anecdotal notes.
• Build strong foundations for continuing relationships with students and their families.
• Engage in the community by supporting students and providing comfortable opportunities for them to apply their knowledge in the real world.
• This is an eight (8) hour work day schedule.
• Position requires occasional evenings and late afternoon support.

Please submit a résumé, cover letter, and references here.