Website The Berkeley School
What we do matters
Early Childhood Extended Day Teacher (Part-time)
What matters to you as an educator?
- Having the time and space to build strong relationships with each student?
- Working in a professional culture designed to give teachers and teaching teams the agency that drives effective, culturally responsive classroom communities?
- Joining a school where civic engagement – equipping students with the academic and social-emotional skills and understanding required to create positive change – is at the heart of the educational program?
- At TBS, we do the work required to create a dynamic, inclusive professional and school community where all people who believe these things matter can thrive. If you are one of these people, read on!
The Early Childhood Extended Day Teacher advances The Berkeley School’s mission and vision by…
- working as part of a teaching team in a culturally responsive educational program that meets the social and emotional needs of preschool students as effectively as possible.
- radiating optimism and joy at working with students in the early childhood developmental stage.
- creating engaging curriculum that promotes creative play, cultivates respect for one another, and inspires children to be responsible stewards of the environment.
- differentiating to meet the needs of a wide range of learning styles, temperaments, and ages.
- embodying principles of equity and inclusion that promote responsive teaching practices and create optimal environments for each of our students.
- attending requisite meetings and teacher in-service days, professional development, and specified all-school events as directed; and performing other duties as needed and requested by the Early Childhood Campus Director, or the Head of School.
This is the job for you if…
- you appreciate, understand, and care about preschool students. We believe that all students deserve to feel seen, supported and known and we strive to be the “warm demanders” that they need to take risks, make mistakes, learn, and grow through play and exploration.
- you’re knowledgeable, passionate, and curious about the ways that children create, adapt, and define knowledge, and you delight in giving them the support they need to direct their own learning.
- you see collaboration with colleagues as essential to your professional growth and fulfillment. You know that excellent communication skills are necessary to provide a safe and stimulating environment for all students and families.
- you love working outdoors and enjoy bringing the natural world into your teaching practice.
Details
- This position is classified as non-exempt (hourly).
- Compensation range is $23.50 to $25.00 per hour.
- Part time at 25 hours per week.
- Opportunities to increase hours over the 8 week summer session time frame.
Job benefits include….
positive, diverse, and dynamic environment of caring, curious, and committed colleagues.
structures and budget to support professional and personal development (we invest in learning/growth!).
professional culture that supports everyone in maintaining balance, self-care, and community care.
Preferred Qualifications
- 12 ECE units (24 units or BA in Child Development or ECE preferred) and at least 2 years of experience working with children 3-5 years old;
- Familiarity with Montessori. Reggio Emilia, and Emergent/Inquiry based approaches to preschool curriculum, or a willingness to learn;
- Ability to work outdoors in a range of bay area weather conditions;
- Flexibility and resilience in a dynamic school environment and a willingness to help with emergent tasks;
- Experience, enthusiasm and ability to engage with preschool students in the classroom and in the outdoor environment;
- Understanding of child development, varied learning preferences, socio-emotional development;
- Experience with neurodiversity in preschoolers, or a willingness to learn;
- Well-developed equity literacy skills and competence regarding identity and inclusion, with a commitment to culturally responsive and anti-bias practices;
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team with a high level of personal and professional integrity;
- Proactive, timely, and clear communication skills with students, families, and colleagues;
- Bilingual (English, Spanish) added plus.
A little more about TBS…
Located directly across the bay from San Francisco in a city known internationally for its history of activism, thought leadership, and community-based change, The Berkeley School has been educating East Bay children since 1963 at our early childhood campus (ECC) and at our K-8 University Avenue Campus (UAC). Our Early Childhood Campus became a certified wildlife habitat in 2016, inspired by our commitment to the natural world and environmental stewardship. The school’s mission – ignite curious minds, awaken generous hearts, engage a changing world – reflects its founding as a Montessori school and informs its unique, civic-engagement-based educational vision.
TBS teachers and students come together on two beautiful campuses whose connection to local neighborhoods and proximity to public transportation and the University of California campus makes the cultural, educational, and natural resources of Berkeley and the greater Bay Area an integral part of the school’s educational program.
TBS students develop excellent academic and life skills in learning communities that build agency, rooted in two core beliefs: we are interdependent and what we do matters. TBS teachers lead that development by building relationships with and among students, creating culturally responsive learning environments that help students feel seen, supported, and known, and developing curricula and experiences that provide the joyful rigor necessary to help children reach their full potential as scholars, community members, and human beings.
We are committed to human-centered principles that promote effective, inclusive operating practices. We also value the skills, knowledge and experiences that a diverse workforce brings to our school. We are a community of lifelong learners who value social justice and actively participate in civic engagement, and we believe that affirming the cultural histories and identities of all community members is vital to each student’s learning and to our school’s success. If you see this approach as critical to meaningful education, we urge you to apply!
What’s next?
If you’re interested in applying, please submit a cover letter describing your interest in the position and the ways that your professional and personal values and expertise align with our school’s mission and vision, your resumé, and a list of three references to our hiring committee at eccexdayteacher@theberkeleyschool.org. The start date for this position is August 16, 2024.
The Berkeley School is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at The Berkeley School are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, age, disability, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, religion, and genetic information. Candidates of color, bilingual candidates, and candidates from other groups traditionally underrepresented in independent schools are encouraged to apply.
