Associate Teacher, CMS Expanded Learning Program

About PLN

Founded on Skid Row in 1980, Para Los Niños provides education and wraparound support, serving over 10,000 children, youth, and families annually in some of the most underserved areas in Los Angeles. PLN fosters pathways to success by striving for excellence in education, family support, and comprehensive social-emotional, and community-based services.

Through early education, TK-8th grade education, youth workforce services, and family and community services Para Los Niño’s’ model provides a comprehensive, holistic approach to break the cycle of poverty and help children and youth thrive.

Position Overview

Under the supervision of the Area Supervisor, the Associate Teacher is responsible for the supervision and planning of large and small group activities for the students. The Associate Teacher will implement the program's goals through activities that are physically, intellectually, creatively stimulating and developmentally appropriate. The Associate Teachers support the Area Supervisor in all aspects of the program administration and goals.

Duties 

Associate Teachers perform a full range of duties, including, but not limited to the following:

Climate, Culture and Curriculum 

• Support with daily expanded learning programing including; after school, weekend, and intersession programming throughout the year.
• Participates in creating weekly age-appropriate curriculum (activity plans) to nurture and stimulate the social, cognitive, and cultural needs of the student in their care guided by program curriculum.
• Completes attendance records, maintains up to date emergency forms, lesson plans, individual child development profile and other records as needed.
• Provides homework assistance and tutoring for students.
• Regularly assess students to inform and refine instruction to best meet student needs.
• Prepare and implement academic and social enrichment activities.
• Work cooperatively with team teaching staff to review student progress and co-plan weekly activities.
• Assist in guiding the parents of an orientation of the program.
• Meet with staff on a weekly basis as a group to review weekly announcement, schedules, and program updates.

Classroom Management

• Completes checklist to ensure that classroom is kept neat and orderly.
• Completes documentation and reports of all incidents, accidents, or behavioral outbursts.
• Complete daily, weekly, and monthly logs and reports as requested by supervisor.
• Work with teachers and school staff to build and support positive behavior expectations by reinforcing school-wide rules and expectations in classrooms and elsewhere on campus.
• Reinforce school-wide procedures and expectations throughout the campus.
• Assist in completing and developing short- and long-term goals for individual students and overall groups. 

Supervision and other duties

• Participates in supervision meetings with site supervisor.
• Provides supervision and care to students in the classroom and actively participates in classroom and outdoor activities.
• Completes daily ratio counts and ensures ratios are met.
• Reports regularly to the supervisor any issues of concern that need immediate attention.
• Completes and reports any suspicious child abuse to supervisor and/or the Child Abuse Hotline.
• Completes daily health checks regarding hygiene, safety, and overall well-being of children.
• Completes ouch and incident reports when incidents occur.

Professional Growth

• Participate regularly in professional development opportunities, grade and subject specific, collaborative meetings, staff meetings, and both on- and off-site trainings.

Qualifications and Experience Requirements

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to perform the job successfully. 

• Strong commitment to the mission, policies, goals, and philosophy of Para Los Niños.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) with the ability to translate preferred.
• English proficiency supporting professional-level verbal and written communication to children, parents and other staff members required.
• Computer literate with hands-on experience in MS Word, MS Excel, ZOOM, share drive and data management systems.
• Must be organized, flexible and detail oriented.
• Must have the ability consistently show good judgment and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple and diverse priorities.

Education and Certification Requirements

• Minimum of 60 units in either, or combination of; Child Development or related fields: Recreation (art, music, and dance) or Physical Education (indoor and outdoor sports activities), Human Services and Social Welfare (nursing, psychology, or home economics) or units earned toward an elementary or middle teaching credential. Experience of working with children in educational or enrichment settings.
• 1 year experience working with students and/or youth.
• Bilingual (E/S) preferred.
• Current certification in CPR/First Aid.  

Physical Requirements

To perform this job the individual must be able to carry out all essential functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.  

• Approximately 50% of time is spent sitting, while frequently required to walk, stand, and bend.
• Must be able to speak and hear well.
• Good vision is imperative.
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Employee will be required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds without assistance.

Expectations for All Para Los Niños Staff  

Candidates for employment at a Para Los Niños, regardless of position, will consistently demonstrate the following:

• Unwavering belief in and commitment to fulfill the mission of Para Los Niños.
• Deep commitment to the success of all PLN students and families.
• Commitment to excellence and high standards -- for self, students, and colleagues.
• Continuous learning by engaging in reflection, self-assessment, and individual professional development.
• Use of data to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement.
• Ability to thrive as a member of a collaborative team.
• Self-motivation and initiative with solutions-oriented disposition.
• Belief in and ability to develop respectful relationships with families and children informed by the students’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively handle challenging situations.
• Comfort with basic Microsoft Office applications and a curiosity and propensity to push own adoption of new technology and approaches.
• Regular, punctual attendance and professional appearance.

Para Los Niños is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer  

It is the established policy of Para Los Niños (PLN) to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without discrimination with regard to race, religious belief (including dress or grooming practices), color, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including breast feeding), age, national origin (including possessing a driver’s license issued under Vehicle Code § 12801.9), ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, transgender status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, family care, marital status, enrollment in any public assistance program, status as military, a veteran or qualified disabled veteran, status as an unpaid intern or volunteer, or any other classification protected by law. PLN also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.