School Name: The Nativity School

Location: 6309 El Apajo Rd, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067

Reports to: Principal

Employment Type: Full Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Pay Rate: $22 - $26/hr. based on experience 

History:

The Nativity School is located in the heart of Rancho Santa Fe and opened its doors in September 1996 as an integral part of the Church of the Nativity. The addition of the school represented phase two of the master plan of the parish and its commitment to serving the spiritual, academic, emotional and physical needs of Catholic families. The Nativity School is dedicated to providing a challenging educational environment, as well as developing character development and decision-making skills nurtured in our Catholic values. A differentiated approach to education is the foundation that cultivates the intellect and promotes the sound spiritual, social, emotional and physical growth of our students.

Mission:

The Nativity School is a ministry of the Church of the Nativity, where the love of Jesus Christ and Catholic educational tradition guide the formation of students’ minds, bodies and souls to their full potential through spiritual direction, academic growth and Christian service.

Job Summary:

As an assistant teacher this person will perform a vital role in the functioning of the classroom. Their attitude of warmth and love for the children, combined with firmness (loving and gentle) in reinforcing the rules and limits that have been established help the children feel safe and secure. Your calm, quiet manner sets the tone for the classroom. Your preparation of the environment at the beginning of the day and straightening it after work time maintains the order and flow that is necessary for the children’s activities. By attending the needs of the children and anticipating disruptions before they happen, you protect the individual and small group lessons that the lead teacher is giving. It is extremely important to keep a watchful eye on the whole classroom, encouraging children to work and help keep the disruptions to a minimum so that the lead teacher can give un-interrupted lessons. 

Responsibilities:

• Is responsible for the general supervision and management of a class of up to 16 children between the ages of 4- kindergarten age under the guidance of the lead teacher. 
• Supports the instructional program utilizing the adopted curriculum for assigned students by teaching: Religion, Practical Life, Pre-language, Language, Mathematics, Science, Geography, Art as well as integrating with special area teachers 
• Implements administrative regulations and procedures as defined in the school handbook, under the guidance of the lead teacher. 
• Utilize the appropriate instructional techniques, activities, strategies, and supplemental materials that will adapt the curriculum to the needs of individual pupils and be consistent with the goals of our program. 
• Consider individual children in relation to their cultural and socioeconomic background. 
• Assists with the responsibilities for preparing the environment of the classroom, as well as playground set up and take down duties. Maintains the housekeeping of the classroom. The room is to be kept neat, clean and orderly. It needs to be re-set up at the end of each day in order to be ready for the following day. Shelves and materials need to be dusted at least once a week. This is a duty for the Lead, Assistant and Aide to share. The playground is to be kept free of debris, toys, paint, water/sand tables and bikes to be put away at the end of each day. 
•  Helps to organize snack 
• Supervise lunchtime and Snack time Supervise the playground after snack and lunch 
• Directs some group activities, under the guidance of the lead teacher 
• Supervises outdoor activities 
• Assembles or makes materials under the guidance of the lead teacher. 
• Demonstrates calm and patience o Assists in planning and implementing the daily program under the direction of the lead teacher. 
• Supervises the classroom when the teacher is out of the classroom. 
• Takes on the lead responsibilities when the lead teacher is absent 
• Assists the children in choosing work if necessary and helps to maintain the climate of the classroom. 
• Assists the lead in all other appropriate ways. 
• Maintains a professional attitude and loyalty to the school at all times. 
• Must dress professionally and modestly. 
• Treats all children with dignity and respect 
•  Materials are to be prepared daily, i.e. pencils sharpened, supplies restocked, shelves dusted, etc. 
• Works as a team with the lead teacher and grade level teams to plan and implement lessons during prep times and other allotted team planning time, as needed by the lead teacher. 
• Identifies needs of students and collaborates with other relevant faculty members in assessing and resolving health, attitude, and learning issues. 
• Differentiates instruction for specific needs of gifted and higher achieving students, under the guidance of the lead teacher. 
• Fulfills assigned responsibilities for student supervision, under the guidance of the lead teacher. 
• Participates in curriculum development and other academic committees as assigned by the administrator. 
• Participates and is on time to devotions, staff meetings, all school parent nights, etc. 
• Establishes and maintains high standards of students’ behavior (Classroom Management) needed to achieve a desirable learning atmosphere which provides physical, spiritual, and psychological security, under the guidance of the lead teacher. 
• Performs basic attendance records, textbook and materials counting, and other business services as required by the lead teacher.  
• Plan, organize, develop, and conduct a comprehensive instructional program, if required by lead teacher. 
• Effectively assess the educational needs of students, and design, develop and implement education plans, if required by the lead teacher. 
• Provides support to the lead teacher in promoting an environment that is conducive to learning. 
• Communicate regularly to parents and students in a sensitive manner, if required by the lead teacher. 
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with others o Ensure that the individual needs of each child are met. (Individual assessments of each child plan a variety of age-appropriate activities, interact with the children as individuals using praise and positive reinforcement, and provide opportunities for the children to experience success, under the direction of the lead teacher. 
• Maintain that all children are supervised at all times. 

Religious Qualifications:

• Active, practicing Roman Catholic (preferred)
• Respects and understands a Catholic school philosophy.

Qualifications:

• Possession of a Baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university, preferred but not required. 
•  Successful completion of a student teaching experience or approved internship at an accredited college or university. 
•  A valid credential in the field of Early Childhood Education, or the required Early Childhood class units (12). 

Desirable Qualifications and Suggestions:

•  Knowledge of theories, methods, techniques, and strategies pertaining to teaching instruction 
• Displays behavior management and behavior shaping strategies, techniques, methods, and conflict resolution procedures 
• Observe the teacher’s interactions with the children for examples of “words that work” 
• Carefully observe any lessons, directions or procedures that are given at group time, because it’s your job to see that these are followed. 
• Reinforce positive behavior, rather than responding to negative behavior, ask the child to follow proper procedures before helping them or answering their requests. 
• Make notes of questions or situations that come up during the day and ask your lead teacher about these at the end of the day. 

Physical Requirements:

To successfully meet the needs of the students in his/her care, the teacher must:

• Spend the majority of the day standing in the classroom. While standing the teacher will frequently hold objects they are working with or demonstrating
• Sit on an occasional basis when developing lesson plans, grading, etc.
• Walk through the classroom and be able to maneuver in tight spaces between desks. Walk on both even and uneven surfaces
• Deal with students while kneeling or squatting, stooping, or bending
• Reach at, below, or above shoulder height with the dominant upper extremity; may require trunk or neck rotation to look back at the class
• Assist in moving children's desks and chairs to change the layout of the classroom to influence the learning situation. It is occasionally necessary to lift and carry boxes weighing up to 25 pounds from the office to classrooms

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to be inside the classroom. The employee is required to be mobile to, from, and within the classroom and preschool environment, as well as maneuver throughout the school facility to attend meetings, trainings, and other work-related events. The employee may be required to conduct trips to, from, and within various city and county-wide locations to attend trainings or workshops.

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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Please note this position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The Nativity School, as part of the Catholic Diocese of San Diego, is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status.