Details
Posted: 02-Jun-22
Location: Santa Monica, California
Type: Full Time
Required Education: 4 Year Degree
Salary: $25-29/hour
Categories:
Early Childhood
Special Needs
Salary Details:
Benefits:
Paid Holidays: 9 days
Paid Sick Leave: 72 hours (9 days)
Paid Time-off capped at 108 hours (13.5 days)
Synchronized Vacation* of 4 weeks (20 days) *These are weeks that GP is closed
Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits Covered at 85%
Life Insurance with a fully paid premium and a $25,000 benefit.
403(b) retirement plan with a 50% match up to 3%
Longevity Bonus (after 11 years)
Referral Bonus
$500 per FTE hired
Child Tuition Remission @ 50%
(after 2 years FT employment)
Professional Development
Santa Monica College course reimbursement
Additional Information:
4 openings available.
Program Description
The Growing Place is a non-profit organization that serves children ages 3 months through 5 years old. We use a social constructivist approach to working with teachers, children, and families; in partnership with Reggio Children to use best practices from their school systems in our context. We fundamentally view children as competent, resilient, and curious individuals; teachers as researchers, facilitators, and collaborators of learning for children and adults; parents as authentic partners.
Organizational Overview
There are three Growing Place campuses - Ocean Park, Marine Park, and Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School (operated by The Growing Place). At Ocean Park, we serve children ages 2.5 to 5 years old; at Marine Park, we serve children 3 months to 5 years old; and at Lab School, we serve children 3 months to 5 years old.
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 with their teaching team and other 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 Growing Place’s mission, philosophy, and pedagogy.
Responsibilities and Duties
Teaching and learning (70%)
- Plan, facilitate, and observe experiences for children that are aligned with the 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
- Clearly communicate with parents regarding their child’s development and support parents in feeling a sense of belonging in the community
Additional responsibilities may be assigned by the supervisor and outlined in the 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 a variety of 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 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.
Application Process
Please send your resume and cover letter to employment@growingplace.org
Interview Process: Candidates selected will first have a phone interview. If moving on to 1st round, the applicant will participate in a 40-minute Zoom interview with the Campus Director(s). The final interview is in person at the campus applicant is being considered.
Contact Info
No phone calls. Please send all required information to employment@growingplace.org
Minimum Qualifications/Requirements
Skills
- A Bachelor’s Degree in ECE or related field (or BA degree in any field + 12 ECE units), Masters Degree preferred
- 2 years of experience working with children ages 3 months-6 years old in a licensed child care program, at 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, 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 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