Preschool Teacher Aide

School Name: Santa Sophia Preschool
Location: 9800 San Juan St, Spring Valley, CA 91977
Reports to: Director
Employment Type: (Part Time 15-19 hours)
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Pay Rate: $16.50

The Diocese of San Diego is seeking a qualified, experienced and passionate preschool aide who is deeply committed to developing Christ-centered, forward-thinking leaders to serve our future Church and our world. (Santa Sophia Preschool) is a parish school located in San Diego, California. The preschool program serves students ages 3 to 5.

School Mission Statement

At Sant Sophia, our mission is on the development of the whole child: spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, socially, and physically. We strive to provide a nurturing and consistent routine; freedom with limits. Consistency for children provides a feeling of security. We want your child to come to school and feel comfortable and confident in his or her surroundings. A feeling of “home away from home” allows children to learn and grow at their own pace. As a staff, we feel it is important to value children as individuals and guide their development in the same manner. We believe a “child’s work” is play. Children at a young age learn best through hands-on experiences. Children are encouraged to become self-sufficient and empowered. We feel that self-sufficient children have high self-esteem and have a feeling that they can accomplish any task.

Preschool Aide Responsibilities

• Watch over infants, toddlers, and/or preschool age children to ensure their safety in the preschool environment
• Assist preschool teacher in setting up the learning environment and guiding children through learning activities
• Participate in the planning of small group and individual activities
• Confer with program staff, parents and/or appropriate community agency personnel for the purpose of assisting in observation and documentation of student progress and development
• Implement health and safety requirements as established by Community Care Licensing (Title 22)
• Monitor classroom and playground activities to ensure a safe and positive learning environment
• Arrange classroom displays
• Other duties as assigned

Administrative/Other Responsibilities

• Return voice-mail/e-mail messages in a timely manner
• Assist preschool teacher with record-keeping duties and clerical functions such as scheduling and photocopying
• Demonstrate a respectful demeanor with staff, students, and parents
• Observe utmost confidentiality regarding parent, student, staff information/conversations
• Supervise playground and other areas of duty as the role may require
• Perform other related duties as assigned which may include serving meals to children in the program, assisting with basic hygiene, assistance in the development of independent toileting and conduct basic cleaning and sanitizing during the school day

Religious Qualifications

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

Professional Qualifications

• 18 years or older
• Proof of high school diploma or GED
• Proof of completion of 6 or more Early Childhood Education (ECE) Units OR proof of completion of at least 2 units of ECE and enrollment in current ECE class, working towards completion of 6 units
• Clear criminal background check (a clear Livescan for Community Care Licensing is a condition of employment)
• Experience teaching in a preschool classroom
• Positive professional references and recommendations

Requirements upon hire

• CPR and First Aid Certification
• Proof of immunizations
• Proof of completed Mandated Reporter training for Child Care Providers
• Cleared TB test to work in Licensed Child Care Facility

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.

Santa Sophia Preschool, 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.