A Center Teacher is a floating role that provides substitute coverage for classroom teachers in the infant, preschool and prekindergarten age groups. The Center Teacher is responsible for all aspects of care for children ages 2 months to kindergarten. When in ratio, the Center Teacher steps in as a fully functioning member of the teaching team. Daily responsibilities of this role include: stocking center supplies/groceries, physical caregiving, implementation of age appropriate, individualized curriculum, facilitating supportive relationships with children, parents and colleagues; and assisting in classroom parent communications such as newsletters and Educa updates.

Classroom Management and Practices

The learning that takes place at our Child Development Centers extends beyond the four walls of the classroom. Our children are immersed in emergent curriculum and outdoor exploration that fosters curiosity, joy, and self-expression.

• Co-create and organize a stimulating and developmentally appropriate learning environment both inside and outside
• Ensure visual supervision and child safety at all times.
• In partnership with classroom teams, design emergent curriculum that meets the needs of the individual learning styles of the children in your care.
• Form relationships with parents, children, and co-teachers that are respectful of individual differences and culture, family styles and cultural/socioeconomic diversity.
• Assist the teaching teams to ensure a structured routine that allows for scheduled meal and rest breaks for the teaching team and maintains a flexible yet consistent daily schedule and routine for the children.

Communication Skills

The staff at the Child Development Centers are responsible for building meaningful relationships with children, families, and their coworkers. We believe transparency, professionalism, and empathy are critical in sustaining these bonds.

• Foster a safe, inclusive environment for children, parents, and teachers.
• Create an environment that embraces open communication and trust between staff to ensure a high-quality environment for children and families.
• Communicate with children using developmentally appropriate language.
• Build a collaborative, working relationship with administration and all of the Classroom Managers, Primary Teachers, and Classroom Teachers.
• Center Teachers may be eligible for a cellphone stipend based on the needs of their center.
• Become familiar with the various classroom routines, expectations, and teaching styles of each classroom.
• Treat each child with dignity and respect.
• Guide children in becoming responsible integral members of the group and community.
• Partner with parents to create an easy transition into the classroom.
• Assist teaching teams to provide Early Childhood/community resources and share information through a variety of mediums: documentation boards, newsletters, Educas, and emails; this is especially important on days when you are in the classroom full-time because a member of the teaching team is not at work.

Physical Requirements

The educators at the Child Development Centers are responsible for the health and safety of their students as well as hands-on caregiving. Please review the physical requirements to ensure you are qualified to perform all job duties and that any accommodation issues you have could be addressed.

• Observe and respond to children’s needs, emergencies and/or conflicts that might occur during the day.
• Kneel down to maintain eye contact at child’s level.
• Sit on the floor to engage with your students.
• Respond to a child’s first aid needs which may include cuts, bruises, and bodily fluids.
• Lift 1-35 pounds from the floor to a waist-high table, or communicate effectively with your team to get the needs of the child met.

Who You Are:

Our staff at the Child Development Centers are a diverse group of educators who bring authenticity, experience, and passion to their job every day.

• High school graduate.
• Passionate about child development and supporting our company mission to save our home planet.
• Excellent customer service skills in person, via email, and on the phone.
• Comfortable with team-based work structure; ability to demonstrate flexibility on the job.
• Demonstrates initiative, is conscientious and provides complete follow-through on areas of responsibility.
• Expert in your classroom age-group and best practices in early childhood.
• Dedicated to life-long learning and the betterment of the early childhood education.

Experience You Bring:

We are seeking educators who are dedicated, life-long learners and practitioners of early childhood best practices.

• Proven history of building trusting, nurturing and responsive relationships with young children and families.
• Successful collaboration and partnering experience with a direct team.
• Ability to implement and support classroom practice in accordance with our classroom philosophy.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to receive and act on feedback for improved classroom instruction and care.
• Two years’ experience working with young children (At least 150 hours working/volunteering with children within the last 6 months).
• Fifteen (15) units in Early Childhood Education (Growth and Development, Child-Family & Community, Administration in ECE, and two Program/Curriculum courses). If you are working in an infant classroom, you must have three (3) infant/toddler units.
• Proven history of building trusting, nurturing and responsive relationships with young children and families.
• Successful collaboration and partnering experience with a direct team.
• Track record of implementing and supporting classroom practice in accordance with established educational philosophies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to receive and act on feedback for improved classroom instruction and care.
• Working knowledge of personal computers with experience in the use of such programs as Word, Excel, Microsoft Teams and Outlook.
• Successful completion of the fingerprinting process and/or successful transfer of fingerprints from another program. It is a job requirement to have a successful criminal background check as well as clearance by obtaining a Sheriffs Card in NV to meet State childcare licensing requirements. If you have, or later obtain an exemption from Licensing, please know that you may still not qualify for employment as Patagonia has its own rigorous internal standards and review process given the nature of the work with children.
• Successful completion of the hiring packet.

Preferred Experience

Our philosophy is rooted deeply in the R.I.E. approach to caregiving, as well as the Outdoor Classroom and Anti-Bias Education. We are deeply committed to Patagonia’s mission to save our home planet, and our practices and program are informed by these cornerstones.

• AA or BA in ECE or related field
• Understanding of Family Business, Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Learning Stories, Pyramid Model, Outdoor Classroom, Anti Bias Education, Resources for Infant Educarers, and Educa.