Associate Teacher

About the role

Position:  Associate Teacher

Reports to: Site/Area Manager

Department: Children Family & Service

Pay Rate: $29.48-$31.84

Position Type: Full Time, Hourly

The Associate Teacher supports the delivery of high-quality early childhood education services by assisting in the creation of a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment for young children. Under the direction and guidance of the Site/Area Supervisor and Classroom Teacher, the Associate Teacher helps implement developmentally appropriate curriculum, learning experiences, and daily classroom activities that promote children's cognitive, physical, social-emotional, and language development.

The Associate Teacher supports classroom practices and educational programming that align with Head Start Performance Standards, California Department of Education (CDE) regulations, and Community Care Licensing requirements. The role assists with child observations, documentation, and assessments, while helping to foster positive behavior, inclusivity, and individualized learning opportunities that support children's growth and development.

The Associate Teacher collaborates with families, staff, and community partners to promote school readiness and positive child outcomes. In partnership with the Classroom Teacher, the position supports daily classroom operations, including supervision of children, implementation of routines, and maintenance of a healthy and safe learning environment. In the absence of the Teacher, the Associate Teacher assumes responsibility for classroom operations and educational activities to ensure continuity of care and learning. Additionally, the Associate Teacher may provide guidance and support to Teacher Assistants, Substitutes, Volunteers, and other classroom support personnel as assigned.

Essential Duties
Active Supervision & Child Safety — 25%

·         Always maintain active supervision of infants and toddlers in accordance with Community Care Licensing requirements, applicable program standards, and CAM policies and procedures.

·         Provide responsive, individualized care that recognizes each child's developmental stage, temperament, cues, abilities, culture, language, and family practices.

·         Implement individualized routines for feeding, diapering, toileting, sleeping, transitions, and other daily caregiving needs.

·         Maintain a classroom environment that supports children's physical and emotional safety, secure attachment, exploration, and development.

·         Follow safe sleep, sanitation, diapering, feeding, food safety, and other infant/toddler health and safety procedures.

·         Maintain awareness of children's location and activities and follow established child accountability procedures during classroom activities, transitions, outdoor experiences, and other program activities.

·         Promptly identify, respond to, document, and report injuries, incidents, health concerns, developmental concerns, unusual behaviors, or environmental hazards in accordance with established procedures.

·         Fulfill responsibilities as a Mandated Reporter in accordance with California law and CAM policies and procedures.

Curriculum Implementation, Observation & Individualization — 20%

• Build positive, trusting relationships with children while attending to their physical, emotional, and developmental needs.
• Ensure active supervision and safety of children at all times.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized classroom in accordance with health and licensing guidelines.
• Support daily routines, including meals, toileting, transitions, and cleaning responsibilities.
• Follow health protocols including daily health checks, sanitizing procedures, and universal precautions.
• Complete and submit incident reports when necessary.

• Implement Creative Curriculum and enhance it using strategies such as SEAL, GLAD, and Teaching Pyramid.
• Observe and document children’s development to support planning and individualized instruction.
• Assist in the use of DRDP online for child assessment.
• Support completion of classroom assessments such as ECERS, ITERS, or SACERS.

Social-Emotional Development & Positive Guidance — 15%

• Use a variety of positive behavior guidance techniques including redirection, logical consequences, and problem-solving support.
• Reinforce positive behavior and encourage children’s self-expression.
• Provide nurturing verbal and physical support to children during transitions and routines.

Family Engagement & Partnerships — 10%

• Develop warm, respectful relationships with families and communicate regularly about children’s development.
• Refer parent concerns to the Teacher or Supervisor as needed.
• Support parent involvement through home-to-school activities, volunteerism, and participation in events.

Inclusive & Culturally Responsive Environment — 10%

·         Create and maintain a welcoming, inclusive, and culturally responsive classroom environment.

·         Incorporate diverse materials, books, experiences, and visual supports that reflect the cultures and backgrounds of children and families.

·         Promote equity, belonging, and respect for individual differences.

·         Collaborate with specialists and support staff to ensure meaningful participation of children with disabilities and diverse learning needs.

·         Encourage family engagement and honor family values, traditions, and perspectives within the classroom community.

Team Collaboration & Classroom Operations — 10%

·         Collaborate effectively with teachers, support staff, families, and program leadership to ensure high-quality services

·         Assist with classroom routines, including meals, toileting, transitions, rest periods, cleanup, and daily operations.

·         Support classroom organization, preparation of learning materials, and maintenance of classroom environments.

·         Provide guidance and support to substitutes, volunteers, and new staff as appropriate.

·         Participate in staff meetings, trainings, professional learning communities, and program events.

Professionalism, Documentation & Compliance — 10%

·         Follow Head Start Performance Standards, California Department of Education requirements, Community Care Licensing regulations, and CAM policies and procedures.

·         Complete required documentation, reports, assessments, and records accurately and within established timelines.

·         Maintain confidentiality of child, family, and program information.

·         Demonstrate professionalism through positive communication, reliability, ethical conduct, and collaboration.

·         Maintain required permits, certifications, trainings, and professional development requirements.

·         Perform other related duties consistent with the scope and classification of the position as assigned.

Qualifications

Education:

·         High school diploma or equivalent (GED) required in accordance with Community Action Marin employment standards.

·         An AA or BA in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Human Development, Sociology, or a related field and necessary coursework to meet the California Child Care Licensing requirements for a fully qualified Associate teacher.