Part-Time Assistant Teacher

3's preschool classroom or school-age Enrichment classroom at the Wagner Way campus location. The position has the potential to extend into the summer programs and next school year (2025-26).

• Part-Time position, effective immediately for the 2024-25 school year with orientation and training upon hire.
• Position is 2 days per week (Thursday-Friday AM or Monday PM and Friday AM), approximately 12 hours per week (inclusive of instructional hours, planning, and team meetings).

Teaching responsibilities generally include supporting instruction and supervision of children in indoor and outdoor activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth following the philosophies of GGHF Curious by Nature School. Above all this position requires love, patience, and respect for children.

Principal Duties:

• Collaboratively plan and carry out daily programs in an inviting and safe manner, including helping children stay comfortable in inclement weather conditions and managing risk in an outdoor setting.
• Assist in managing child, classroom, family, and educator partnerships. 
• Encourage an appreciation for nature and environment, and a love of the outdoors with children.
• Assist the lead teacher in developing learning provocations based on implementing a creative, emergent, nature-based curriculum that meets children’s interests and needs as well as the classroom community of learners. 
• Opportunities to plan learning experiences and lead group activities.
• Support documentation, parent conferences, portfolio, and other assessment tools, and ensure the program meets standards.
• Support regular communication with families via email, weekly newsletter, and family portal
• Work with teaching team to facilitate daily classroom preparation and cleaning duties.
• Assists in planning equipment and supply needs for the classroom.
• Responsible for notifying the Director of any safety hazards in all learning environments.
• Participate in weekly team meetings for classroom and monthly staff meetings for the School. 
• Set and assess annual professional goals, growth, teaching responsibilities, and performance with the School’s Director.
• Participate in yearly professional development with onsite training and community workshops, seminars, and conferences.
• Other duties as assigned.

Building community:

• Develop and maintain positive partnerships with parents/grandparents/guardians, students, School and GGHF Board, and community organizations whose missions or services are complementary.
• Maximize working with area community groups, building on the principle of interdependence of school and community.
• Encourage each child's family to be actively involved.
• Create a culture of respect, inclusion and a common commitment to the greater community.

The ideal candidates will have 3+ years of teaching experience and formal training in Early Childhood Education OR a combination of education and experience demonstrating the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. We are looking for Teachers with the following characteristics:

• Experience teaching in a preschool/Pre-K classroom or outdoor-based programs.
• Experience developing and implementing lesson plans and adapting lessons to outdoor classrooms.
• Enjoys teaching and learning outdoors in all types of weather.
• Committed to the School's approach to early learning of child-directed and play-based learning.
• Familiarity with emergent curriculum and Reggio Emilia philosophy.
• Engaging communication and interpersonal skills with students, families, and staff.
• Reliable, consistent, team player, nurturing, and positive attitude.
• Passionate, creative, intentional, and reflective in their work with children and adults.
• Talents in the arts, storytelling, singing songs, playing instruments, multilingual, wilderness skills a plus.

Other requirements:

• Able to work occasional weekends and evenings (i.e., community events, Open Houses, conferences, etc.).
• Attends training opportunities and monthly staff meetings as provided and scheduled.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds, including moving children and classroom materials/equipment.
• Ability to stand, bend and stoop, and hike on varying terrains.
• Maintains the School's professional attitude and work behavior.
• Observe all rules and regulations of the School and local, state, or national regulatory agencies pertaining to children's health, safety, and care.
• Pass a fingerprint-based background check upon hire.
• Submit proof of negative TB test.
• Current CPR and First Aid Certification or willingness to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• Complete additional DCYF pre-service and in-service training and requirements upon hire.

Compensation/Benefits:

• Compensation commensurate with experience/education.
• Paid training: monthly on-site professional development, annual staff training, and CPR and First Aid Certification.
• Full-time positions are eligible for health insurance, plus paid time off and select holidays.
• Tuition discount with child enrollment at the School.
• Opportunities to work hours during school breaks and camp programs for year-round employment.
• Participation in GGHF-sponsored events (i.e., Cider Swig, The Green Gig, Maritime Festival, etc.)

To apply, please include a job-specific cover letter, resume outlining experience and education, and professional references addressed to:

CBNS Director, GGHF Curious by Nature School, 7191 Wagner Way, Suite 101, Gig Harbor, WA 98335.

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The Greater Gig Harbor Foundation doesn’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, services, programs, and our community. GGHF is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and the organization’s needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical​​​ condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or ​expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.