Growing Place
Santa Monica, California
Start Date: August 2, 2021
The Growing Place is a non-profit child development center that operates three campuses in Santa Monica — established in 1985 to provide high-quality early education to full-time working families. We are NAEYC accredited and inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach.
The Co-Lead Teacher is responsible for teaching, learning, observations, documentation, research, and communication within the Growing Place organization. This position requires a candidate to be a critical thinker, reflective, communicative, curious, inclusive, and professional; the candidate knows how to work with children in a developmentally appropriate manner with a social constructivist approach and fulfills the Growing Place’s mission, philosophy, and pedagogy.
Responsibilities include:
The teacher is a partner in learning alongside children.
Collaborate to develop large and small group investigations arising out of thoughtful reflection of children’s interest and work.
Contribute to observations, planning, and implementation of small group work and other curriculum.
Promote opportunities for creative thinking, skill-building, playful experiences, and meaningful relationships.
Demonstrate a working knowledge of child development ages and stages and constructivist theories.
Communicate effectively and openly with parents, administration, and colleagues.
Create an effective environment for learning through daily provocations, invitations and intentional presentation of materials.
Advocate for the learning, theories and ideas of young children and yourself as a teacher through documentation, display, and presentation.
BA in ECE or related field OR BA + 12 ECE units.
2 years minimum experience teaching in a quality center with young children.
Positive attitude and participation in professional development opportunities, desire to grow and learn.
Genuinely enjoys children and families and being engaged with mindful educators.
Pay starting at $25/hour
Medical, dental and vision insurance
72 Hours Paid sick time off
Four weeks of paid synchronized staff vacation
403b retirement plan
Professional development opportunities
Qualified applicants should:
Submit cover letter and resume to employment@growingplace.org
In your cover letter please respond to:
What qualifications would you bring to this position and our organization? Please describe your educational philosophy.
The Growing Place is a non-profit child development center that operates three campuses in Santa Monica — established in 1985 to provide high-quality early education to full-time working families. We are NAEYC accredited and inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach.
A community that learns together:
All learning happens within the context of meaningful relationships. Our program fosters these relationships, and we become the best versions of ourselves when we support each other in the learning, challenges, journeys, and joy that comes with being together.
Our Curriculum:
Our curriculum emphasizes the development of children’s social skills, self-esteem, and creativity to help children gain confidence to face new experiences. We are inspired by the schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy, and the social constructivist theory of teaching and learning.
Tried and True Traditions:
There are many traditions and practices that make the Growing Place what it is. For example, our Goodbye Windows are a source of comfort for the child and parent. It invites them to have that “one more kiss and hug” through a window that positions the child on one side and the parent on the other. Most importantly, Goodbye Windows give the child, who has no control over the fact that their parent must leave, can have control over which window to choose from to say goodbye.
Our traditions help to nurture connections, give a sense of belonging and establish positive memories.
Diversity and Inclusion:
It is natural for children to begin noticing the similarities and differences in the people and environment around them; in fact, children as young as 6 months old begin to know the difference between race and gender. At Growing Place, we believe it is essential to incorporate ways to promote diversity in our school. We promote diversity and inclusion in our school by selecting materials and enrolling families that help children to see a reflection of who they are (“mirrors”) and to gain a perspective into another person’s realities (“windows”). When young children learn to see themselves reflected in their community as well as those different from them, they ultimately become more confident, empathetic, and emotionally intelligent human beings.
For more information visit: growingplace.org
Qualified applicants should:
Submit cover letter and resume to employment@growingplace.org
In your cover letter please respond to:
What qualifications would you bring to this position and our organization? Please describe your educational philosophy.
Together, we are empowering exceptional education.