Associate Teacher

Description

About our organization

At Options for Learning, we partner with children, families, educators, and communities to create strong foundations for lifelong success. Since 1981, we have provided quality early learning and school-age programs, family support services, and child care resources designed to meet the evolving needs of the communities we serve.

Our work is rooted in relationships and guided by our values of integrity, compassion, respect, curiosity, and nurturing. These values shape how we support families, collaborate with one another, and respond to the changing needs of our communities every day.

Every interaction — whether with a family seeking guidance, a child entering a classroom, or a team member working behind the scenes — is an opportunity to create a positive and meaningful experience grounded in trust, empathy, and service.

Serving communities throughout the San Gabriel Valley, Whittier, Pomona Valley, and Northeast Los Angeles, our team is united by a shared commitment to continuous learning, strong partnerships, and helping children and families thrive.

At Options for Learning, employees are more than team members. They are trusted partners in work that makes a meaningful difference for children, families, and the communities we serve.

About this position

This position supports other teaching staff by implementing curriculum and facilitating enriching classroom experiences, while ensuring a safe and caring environment for children enrolled in the organization’s Early Learning or School-age programs. This role is responsible for following organization policies, providing supervision for enrolled children, and maintaining a quality program.

What you’ll be doing

• Planning and implementing classroom activities based on program-specific curriculum;
• Supervising and interacting with children in a positive manner;
• Developing and maintaining learning centers that reflect the interests and needs of the children;
• Providing a wide variety of experiences for children, with an emphasis on active learning;
• Providing a well-supervised and safe environment;
• Creating and implementing lesson plans;
• Supervising assistant teachers in the classroom;
• Demonstrating sensitivity and good judgment when interacting with children, parents, and staff;
• Encouraging language development and respect for language diversity in the classroom and community;
• Recruiting, training, and supervising parents and other volunteers;
• Collaborating with the teacher in planning, supervision and implementation of the overall program;
• Providing a clean and sanitary facility according to the center-based checklist;
• Working with site staff and children to maintain a clean environment in the classrooms, playground, lunch courtyard, and any other areas of the campus used by the program;
• Coordinating activities with school administration, teachers, and collaborative community partners;
• Communicating regularly with the family service specialist regarding the program’s recruitment needs, children’s enrollments and terminations, and site paperwork;
• Submitting accurate and complete paperwork and documentation in a timely manner and according to program policies and procedures;
• Planning or participating in planning and implementing parent meetings and activities, including family nights;
• Accurately completing all assigned paperwork and documentation on a timely basis according to organization policies and procedures;
• Reading, following, and implementing all organization and program policies and procedures;
• Assisting the teacher and education supervisor as needed;
• Working effectively with other team members;
• Actively participating in the annual in-service training;
• Accomplishing other duties as assigned to create and maintain a quality program;
• Performing other duties as assigned.

What you bring to the table

• Child development associate teacher permit;
• Associate degree in child development or a related field (preferred);
• Current certification in pediatric CPR and pediatric first aid acceptable to Community Care Licensing (Health and Safety Code 1596.866), and to be renewed every 2 years;
• Health screening and TB clearance, which must be renewed every five years;
• Must present proof of immunization for TDap, MMR, whooping cough, and yearly influenza (waiver may be accepted for influenza);
• Successful background screening;
• Will be required to complete mandated reporter certification training, which must be renewed every two years;
• Ability to communicate in written and oral English correctly and effectively;
• A California driver’s license, daily use of an automobile, and automobile liability insurance (preferred);
• Command of Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, or Vietnamese (preferred).

What we can offer you

• Medical/dental/vision for part- and full-time employees (organization pays up to 95% of employee's premiums; prorated for part-time);
• Organization-paid and matching retirement plan;
• Professional growth opportunities, including free child development courses and college reimbursement;
• Generous and flexible PTO;
• Organization-wide shutdown from Christmas through New Year’s Day;
• Dedicated, mission-driven colleagues, and much more!

Job specifications

• Reports to the education supervisor
• Non-exempt, full-time, year-round position;
• Work hours may vary from part- to full-time (schedule will vary depending on site or classroom assignment);
• Limited evening or weekend hours may be required;
• Employment, responsibilities, compensation and other factors may be affected by changes in governmental regulations, the organization’s contracts, or at the organization’s discretion.

Salary

• $23.88 - $34.28 per hour (Candidates should anticipate receiving an offer within the first quartile of the salary range).