Assistant Preschool Teacher – The Discovery School

POSITION SUMMARY

The Assistant Preschool Teacher provides daily care and supervision of children enrolled in the Discovery School program, works directly with families, and collaborates with the preschool team.

Ideal candidates will have deep commitment to and passion for learning along with a growth mindset, some experience co-creating an inquiry-based curriculum and documenting learning, knowledge of child development, love and respect for young children and their capabilities, and interest in serving in an entrepreneurial and evolving school community.

The Discovery School is a Reggio-inspired preschool. Our program is the only museum-based preschool in California, and we draw upon BADM’s 30 years of child-directed, open-ended, inquiry-driven learning, as well as best practices in creativity development from BADM’s research. We are fortunate to offer a low student to teacher ratio and an incredibly engaged parent community. BADM also provides an unmatched location, on 7.5 acres of National Park land at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge and with immediate access to the beach, coastal habitat, historic batteries and hiking trails.

There are full time and part-time hours available working between the hours of Monday - Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. This non-exempt position pays a rate of $21.00-$23.00 per hour, less applicable withholdings. You will also be eligible for a monthly cell phone reimbursement of $30/month.

The teaching calendar runs through early June 2024, with a possibility to teach the summer program and return for forthcoming school years.

All BADM positions require up-to-date proof of COVID vaccination.

KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Ensures the safety and supports the wellbeing (emotional, physical, cognitive, and behavioral) of all children enrolled in the program.
2. Supports the teaching team in planning and preparing learning activities and curriculum inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, aligned with clear intentions, and best practices for young children.
3. Assists in observation, documentation, and reflection of individual and group experiences and works collaboratively to collect, display, and disseminate documentation.
4. Builds positive, supportive relationships with families.
5. Assists in writing regular reflections, sharing documentation of preschool experiences to make the learning and thinking of the children visible.
6. Participates in professional development meetings, workshops, and conferences.
7. Ensures proper maintenance and cleanliness of classroom and supplies daily.
8. Attends school and class events.
9. May assist and support other BADM programming, including during fundraisers, festivals, and other programs.
10. Communicates and works collaboratively with all other museum departments.

Additional Duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 6 semester units in the core areas of Early Childhood Education. Required ECE courses include child/human growth & development; child/family/community or child and family relations; and programs/curriculum. Minimum 2 years of experience as an assistant preschool teacher required.
• Must provide proof of LiveScan and criminal record clearance through DOJ Child Abuse Index.
• Experience in Reggio Emilia-inspired curricular development and environment design is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of child development, developmentally appropriate practices, and inquiry-based learning.
• Must be willing to follow and enforce CDC guidelines and the institution’s health and safety procedures. Experience in, or an understanding of, trauma-sensitive practices are strongly preferred.
• Professional commitment to Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion; thoughtful and open about the role of a workplace and cultural institution in creating sense of welcome and belonging for students, staff, and visitors.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and troubleshoot in a fast-paced work environment.
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to use computer equipment required (Microsoft Word, Excel, Zoom, and Google Docs)
• Must work well with a variety of people from various backgrounds and cultures.
• Flexible, good-humored, team player with a strong work ethic
• Ability to move from place to place, work outdoors, bend and lift and carry up to 35 pounds short distances.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The employee is required to come and go from the work area; to talk and listen; and to read and understand documents containing text and/or numbers. The employee is frequently required to walk and sit, as well as to lift and carry objects. Required vision abilities include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee may frequently be required to grasp, handle, or feel; reach, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl. The employee may be required to lift up to 10 pounds and may occasionally be required to lift up to 35 pounds. The employee must have the ability to work outdoors in inclement weather. The employee is required to periodically use a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and telephone utilizing safe ergonomic practices

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Works in a combination of indoor and outdoor environments, including occasional high noise levels, widely varying temperatures, varying levels of light, and inclement weather. Will be required to perform work duties in full view of the public, while adhering to the Museum’s customer service standards.

The specific statements shown in each section of this job description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to perform the job successfully. The Bay Area Discovery Museum reserves the right to modify and expand job responsibilities and duties over time.

TO APPLY
The Bay Area Discovery Museum is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity. We encourage those from all backgrounds to apply to allow us to build the most inclusive and creative team possible.

Please do not remove yourself from contention before you even apply. Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. If much of this job description describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply.

ABOUT US
At the Bay Area Discovery Museum, we believe that providing children with the high-quality early learning experiences they need to be successful is the best investment we can make as a society.

Whether at the Museum, online, or in the community, we provide experiences that spark children’s natural curiosity for the world around them, while building their creative problem-solving skills and STEM content knowledge. Both on-site and off-site, we facilitate research-backed learning experiences that are fun and engaging for children and families. At our one-of-a-kind location at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, this includes hands-on exhibits, rich STEM and art programming, an on-site preschool, and camps and classes. Off-site, our museum educators bring hands-on STEM programming to students and families at schools and libraries in all nine Bay Area counties.

We believe that these research-backed on-site and off-site experiences should be made available to all children and families and offer a variety of access initiatives toward this goal. We are currently working our way back up to our pre-pandemic numbers:

• 350,000 visitors each year, including nearly 100,000 with free or reduced admission.
• 10,000 member families
• 26,000 children through our school and community programs
• 587 schools and 215 libraries through all nine Bay Area counties

The Bay Area Discovery Museum is committed to being welcoming and inclusive. We are continuously working toward the goal of reflecting the diversity of the Bay Area both within our organization and with those we serve.

WHAT WE OFFER

The Bay Area Discovery Museum offers a high-energy, results-oriented, creative and fun environment. Employees enjoy reciprocal admission benefits at other museums, regular all-staff celebrations, professional development training, and more. All staff members are valued for their contributions toward creating a high-quality experience for visitors, and their work that allows us to achieve our mission.

The museum offers 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance to all full-time employees, as well as generous paid time off starting at three weeks per year. Staff working an average of 20 hours per week are eligible for many of the same benefit plans on a prorated basis.

In addition, we offer the opportunity for each employee to make a unique impact on more than 350,000 museum visitors each year on-site, and many more in the community through the museum’s research-backed school and community programs.

NOTE TO CANDIDATE
Due to the sensitivity and requirements of our positions, you should expect to undergo and be cleared of an employment background/criminal check if extended an offer for employment. You may also be asked to provide proof of educational degree(s), licenses, credentials, or vaccinations pertinent to the position.