Substitute Assistant Teacher

Catalyst teaching staff support the planning and implementation of Catalyst's programming for children ranging in age from infant, toddler, pre‑school, kindergarten, and school age depending on the location. Assistant Teachers must be able to facilitate a variety of age‑appropriate activities, support children's socio‑emotional development, and ensure children are supervised at all times in a healthy and safe environment.

• Support the implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum that is directly connected to children’s interests and promotes positive child development.
• Maintain intentional, enriched, and supportive learning environments that are age‑appropriate for all children.
• Provide excellent customer service by establishing authentic connections and reciprocal, culturally responsive relationships with children, families, schools, communities, and the center/classroom team.
• Keep children healthy and safe by ensuring proper supervision, positive interactions, healthy habits, and excellent compliance.
• Work collaboratively with fellow staff by connecting workplace values, education, and experience to provide the highest quality programs and creative workplaces.

• Positive interactions with children and youth.
• Maintain kind, respectful, and safe emotional/physical environments for children.
• Be on time and present on a regularly scheduled basis.
• Be physically and mentally capable of interacting with children up to 13 years of age, meeting all their needs and ensuring their safety.
• Be aware of and implement safety guidelines; report any health & safety issues or incidents to management, and remain calm when providing first aid if needed during emergency situations.

Teaching staff are responsible for various program elements daily and may be required to:

• Identify hazards and implement preventative actions (e.g., set up cones to limit play area) to maintain a safe environment for children.
• Comfortably manage occasional loud noise in or outside the classroom during activities.
• Frequently bend, lift, twist, reach, push, and pull.
• Push, lift, carry, and hold objects up to 15 lbs., individually or with a team.
• Work inside or outside in all safe weather conditions.
• Traverse various terrains (grass, blacktop, dirt) and heights (ladders, playgrounds) depending on the outdoor environment.
• Adapt to children’s physical levels (sitting on the floor, kneeling, squatting) for activities and problem‑solving interactions.
• Supervise field trips to destinations such as aquatic parks, beaches, and trampoline parks.

Assistant Teachers support the needs of the classroom under the direction/supervision of another staff. This entry‑level role requires:

Requirements may vary by center and age group.

• At least 6 post‑secondary semester or equivalent quarter units in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field with passing grades of C‑ or better.
• OR a regional occupation program certificate of training in child‑care issues accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

• Preferred 6 months of experience in a group‑care environment with a consistent age group.
• Effective problem‑solving, conflict resolution, classroom management, and communication with children and families.
• Strong organization, time management, curriculum planning, and assessment documentation skills (lesson plans, portfolios, anecdotal notes).
• Ability to work alongside colleagues and maintain a professional team environment.
• Current adult and infant/child CPR & First Aid certification preferred.
• Bilingual/multilingual language skills preferred based on individual center needs.

Shift Type: Full Time / Part Time

Schedule: Flexible substitute schedule with minimum two days availability per week

Compensation: $16.50–$24.12 hourly

• Vision Benefits (may vary depending on full‑time or part‑time status)
• 401(k) plan and Employee Assistance Program
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Discounted childcare for staff working 25 hours or more per week
• Ongoing learning and growth opportunities with training and professional development advisory

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug‑free workplace.

Equal Opportunity Employer. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.