Chinese American International School seeks a PRESCHOOL CHINESE TEACHING ASSOCIATE (2021-2022). Full-time, non-exempt position.

OPPORTUNITY

Seize the opportunity to join the vibrant, dynamic, synergistic community at CAIS as a Preschool Chinese Teaching Associate. Become part of a team striving to be the world’s most innovative, inspiring, and influential Chinese English dual-language immersion school. This position offers a unique opportunity for passionate early childhood educators to be part of a preschool-8th grade program that places great importance on early learning. Consistent with its Strategic Vision 2020-2025, CAIS is committed to reimagining immersion to achieve greater student engagement and proficiency in Chinese and cultivate the cognitive, character and intercultural competencies that are the “CAIS Immersion Bonus.” We are seeking a teaching associate who is eager to collaborate with our experienced faculty to implement a new full Chinese immersion model in the 2021-2022 school year.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate finds resonance with CAIS’s mission to Embrace Chinese, Become your Best Self, and Contribute to a Better World. As CAIS aims to empower inquisitive, creative, and inspired learners, we look for a candidate who is enthusiastic and knowledgeable about child-centered pedagogy such as differentiation, play based learning, inquiry based learning, and the application of best practices in language and literacy instruction. The candidate will enter an environment that values social emotional learning alongside intellectual challenge. Our new team member will demonstrate flexibility and a dedication to student learning by supporting classroom instruction in collaboration with the lead teacher.

The ideal candidate demonstrates a strong desire to learn and grow on a team and individually, accepts and implements feedback, takes initiative to challenge their own understanding, and is continually engaged in the process of becoming professionally prepared to meet the requirements for a teaching associate role at CAIS.

CAIS offers a dynamic dual culture setting, in which faculty are immersed in a culture of language learners. We look for a candidate who will embrace CAIS’s work to create an equitable, inclusive environment where all faculty, students, and families are supported in their individual identities. We welcome all applicants who aim to actively support our diverse and inclusive community.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Position responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Work with a team to provide daily open-ended activities that embrace child-centered pedagogy and play-based curriculum and assist a classroom environment that emphasizes and supports literacy across all content areas
• Support Preschool classroom teachers to prepare curriculum and assist in instruction and assessment to align with school mission, policies, goals and initiatives
• Perform group instruction in collaboration with and guidance from the teacher
• Follow licensing requirements to maintain visual and auditory supervision of children at all times and ensure their safety in the classroom, on the playground, and during field trips. Active supervision is expected at all times.
• Be knowledgeable of and follow school policies and procedures, in particular those dealing with confidentiality, cross-cultural understanding, discipline, harassment and communication, health and safety or licensing regulations
• Refer all inquiries and concerns about the students to the teacher, extended care supervisor, or Preschool Director
• Assist in duties such as attendance, record keeping, filing of student work, care and set up of classroom environment, and snack preparation
• Meet with the teacher to discuss children’s individualized learning or behavior plans
• Communicate with lead teacher for feedback on professional growth and development
• Interact with children using positive, supportive, and respectful attitude, language, and tone
• Support children’s social and emotional development
• Contribute to the development of community among staff by having open, constructive, and solution-oriented communication
• Encompass a positive discipline approach in guiding student behavior
• Develop a positive intellectual, emotional, and social environment within the classroom and a class community in which all children feel valued and a sense of belonging
• Work collaboratively and maintain standards of respect, courtesy, and mutual consideration with the school community, including students, staff, and parents