Description of the Position 

The Co-Lead Teacher is responsible for teaching, learning, observations, documentation, research, and communication within the Growing Place organization. The candidate is expected to collaborate within their teaching team along with other fellow colleagues. 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 Growing Place’s mission, philosophy, and pedagogy. 

Responsibilities and Duties 

Teaching and Learning (70%)

• Plan, facilitate, and observe experiences for children that are aligned with the Growing Place philosophy and pedagogical practices 
• Collaborate with the children, teaching team, and Education Coordinating Team to design, interpret, and research curricula such as lines of inquiry and provocations.  
• Use research and documentation to inform teaching practices and curriculum decisions  
• Establish strong daily routines and rhythms for adults and children 
• Co-lead daily small group work and meetings with children and teachers
• Differentiate teaching for children with a variety of learning styles, temperaments, and interests 
• Create a sense of joyful learning with children
• Establish a positive, warm and safe atmosphere for children and adults to grow and develop   
• Become a member of the community through collaborative teaching
• Intentionally design indoor and outdoor spaces that reflect Growing Place principles and pedagogy 
• Build authentic partnerships with parents informally and formally 
• Clearly communicate with parents regarding their child’s development and support parents in feeling a sense of belonging in the community 

Additional responsibilities will be assigned by the supervisor and outlined in the work plans. 

Research and Dissemination (30%)

• Regularly employ appropriate technology required to plan, organize, observe, document, and make accessible the experiences of children and adults including photographs, video/audio recordings, scanned work
• Employ strategies for making adult and children’s learning visible in a variety of ways, including Parent Square posts, documentation panels, and portfolios.
• Prepare and hold one Parent Teacher Meeting for new families with your teaching team 
• Prepare and hold two Parent-Teacher Conferences for each child in the classroom your teaching team
• Regularly communicate evidence of reflective practice with the teaching team in daily team meetings and weekly Research and Inquiry Meetings
• Engage in events to create stronger partnerships in the community (ex: Back to School Night, Open House Night, Parent-Teacher Dialogues, Educator Tours, Admissions Tours)
• Actively participate in professional development opportunities 
• Actively participate in all team and staff meetings 
• Leverage networks and resources within the early childhood education field 
• Contribute to workshops, committees, publications   

Additional responsibilities will be assigned by the supervisor and outlined in work plans. 

Application Process

Please send resume, cover letter, and three professional references and salary requirement to employment@growingplace.org 

Interview Process: Candidates selected will first have a phone interview. If moving on to 1st round, we will require a background check and finalists to participate in up to two interviews which may include a classroom observation. 

Contact Info

No phone calls. Please send all required information to employment@growingplace.org 

Program Description 

The Growing Place is a non-profit organization that serves children ages 3 months through 5 years old. We use a social constructivist approach to working with teachers, children, and families; in partnership with Reggio Emilia children in order to use best practices from their school systems in our context. We fundamentally view children as competent, resilient, and curious individuals; teachers as researchers, facilitators, and collaborators of learning for children and adults; parents as authentic partners.    

Organizational Overview

There are three Growing Place campuses - Ocean Park, Marine Park, and Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School (operated by The Growing Place). At Ocean Park, we serve children ages 2.5 to 5 years old; at Marine Park, we serve children 3 months to 5 years old; and the Lab School will include infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children.