After School Program Assistant for holistic, art-infused, and nature-based Charter School

Shade Canyon School is seeking an energetic and dedicated Bridge Program Assistant for the 26-27 school year to support our Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P). This role is vital in providing a safe, enriching, and joyful after-school environment where students can continue to learn and grow through play, academic support, and specialized activities. The ideal candidate is someone who enjoys working with children, possesses strong communication skills, and is excited to support Shade Canyon’s unique Public Waldorf-inspired culture.

Who We Are:Shade Canyon School is a new public charter school using the principles of Public Waldorf education and located in beautiful Kelseyville, California. The school opened in September 2023 on a leased site. We now have 85 students, grades TK-4th. Our enrollment for the 2026-27 school year is expected to be 105 students in grades TK-5.

Shade Canyon's vision is: “We believe that by honoring simplicity, we nurture the spark of the individual and nourish a thriving community.” Our mission is to “cultivate inspired learners.”

You can learn more about our school at .

Summary of Position:

Under the guidance of the Bridge Program Director and Lead Teacher, the Bridge Program Assistant supports Shade Canyon School’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P) for TK–5th grade students. This role helps create a safe, nurturing “home away from home” where students experience belonging, rhythm, and meaningful participation.

The Assistant facilitates hands-on learning and enrichment, including arts, storytelling, movement, practical life tasks, and outdoor, nature-based experiences. They support structured homework and academic activities while helping students transition smoothly from the regular school day to the after-school or intersession program.

Student Support & Supervision

• Actively support students at all times, fostering a safe, nurturing “home away from home” environment.

• Maintain appropriate staff-to-student ratios (1:10 TK/K; 1:20 1st–5th) while guiding students through daily routines, transitions, and hands-on activities.

• Encourage independence, cooperation, and respect for self, others, and shared spaces.

Hands-On Learning & Practical Life

• Assist with implementing experiential, Waldorf-inspired activities, including arts, storytelling, seasonal crafts, gardening, nature exploration, and movement.

• Support students in practical life tasks such as caring for materials, preparing snack areas, and maintaining classroom or outdoor spaces.

• Help lead outdoor skills activities as directed by the Lead Teacher, including shelter building, knot-tying, safe tool use, and environmental stewardship.

Academic Support

• Provide homework assistance and informal tutoring to support grade-level literacy and math, as guided by the Lead Teacher.

• Encourage focus, persistence, and pride in student work while maintaining a balanced, nurturing atmosphere.

Behavior & Community

• Model and reinforce positive behavior and social-emotional learning strategies in alignment with school-wide standards.

• Support multi-age peer relationships and cooperative group dynamics.

Safety & Compliance

• Help maintain accurate attendance records and follow student sign-in/out protocols.

• Follow all school policies, safety procedures, and mandated reporting requirements.

Collaboration & Communication

• Work closely with the Lead Teacher, other staff, and families to maintain consistency, routines, and a cohesive program culture.

• Communicate clearly and professionally regarding student needs, successes, and concerns.

Qualifications:

• Strong enthusiasm for working with multi-age student groups in indoor and outdoor settings.

• Comfort and experience supporting hands-on, practical learning activities, including outdoor skills (gardening, nature exploration, shelter building, safe tool use) and home tasks (preparing and caring for shared spaces, materials, and snacks).

• Willingness and ability to work outdoors in all kinds of weather while maintaining a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment.

• Ability to foster a “home away from home” environment that balances warmth, rhythm, structure, and student independence.

• Familiarity with or openness to Public Waldorf-inspired education and Waldorf lifeways.

• Ability to follow routines, implement Lead Teacher guidance, and maintain consistent expectations for students.

• Collaborative, flexible, and creative approach to facilitating student experiences.

• Strong communication skills with staff, students, and families.

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Must meet Paraprofessional requirements (completion of 48 college units, an Associate’s Degree, or passing a local assessment test).
• Experience working with elementary-aged children in an educational or recreational setting highly desired.
• First Aid and CPR Certification (need to obtain within 30 days of hire).
• Local to Lake County preferred
• Fluency in Spanish preferred

Other Requirements

• Letter of Introduction and Resume
• Three (3) Letters of Recommendation (written within the past 12 months)
• Reference Check
• Complete Employment History Disclosure (AB 2534 & SB 848): Applicants must provide a complete list of every previous school employer (public or private).
• Authorization for Release of Records: Consent to a background inquiry regarding "egregious misconduct" at prior school employers.
• Fingerprint/Criminal Record Clearance (including expanded SB 848 exclusions).
• Professional Boundaries & Mandated Reporter Training (must be completed within six weeks of hire).
• Clear TB Test.

Comments and Other Information

Students of employees receive admission preference.

Number of workdays: 182 + 30 days summer program

Hours:

TK/K Assistant: 12:30-4:30pm

Grades 1-2 Assistant: 2:15pm-4:30pm

Grades 3+ Assistant: 2:45pm-4:30pm

Shade Canyon School Pay Range $16.90-$25.00

Work Environment

The conditions herein 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 job functions. These physical standards are generic in nature and tasks may vary dependent on school site or specialized site assignment. The information contained in this physical standards description is for compliance with the American With Disability Act and is not an exhaustive list of duties performed. The individuals currently holding this position perform additional duties and additional duties as assigned.

Environment including Hazardous Conditions

This position works primarily outdoors (including eating and common area(s), playground(s), restroom(s), and parking lot(s)) with the following possible exposures: dust; wind; sun; insects; bloodborne pathogens and biohazardous waste; variances in temperature (20 degrees to 110 degrees); variances in weather conditions (snow, rain, sleet, etc.); noise which can range from quiet to loud; fast paced work environment with possible stressful situations and need to multi-task; traffic congestion; playground projectiles such as balls, sticks, etc.; intervening physically to stop conflicts between angry or emotionally upset students; and, dealing with students, parents, employees and the general public who may exhibit unpredictable or anti-social behavior.

Employees in this position may have a higher level of exposure to illness or infection from students. May be. exposed to students who may ask inappropriate personal questions, display socially unacceptable behavior, display physically aggressive behavior, and insult your personal characteristics including appearance, ace, age, sex and race. There is also frequent contact with staff and public.

Physical Abilities

Seldom: Sufficient strength, stamina (including physical, mental and emotional), physical ability and mobility to provide instruction to students and participation in meetings including lift, carry, push and/or pull or otherwise move moderately heavy to heavy loads up to 30 pounds.

Seldom: Strength and stamina to physically move students’ desks and chairs to change layout of classroom to facilitate and influence teaching situations.

Continuously: Continuous speaking and listening for extended periods of time to provide instruction to students and participation in meetings.

Continuously: Mental acuity to collect, evaluate and interpret data; to reason, to define problems, to establish facts; to draw valid conclusions; and to make effective judgements and decisions.

Continuously: Observe, see, hear and respond to students.

Frequently: Grasp and handle motions and torso rotations on a continuous basis and the ability to reach in all directions including overhead and horizontally.

Continuously: Hear and speak to exchange accurate information in person, virtually, over a two-way radio or telephone when noise level range is low to loud.

Continuously: Hear to locate the source of a sound.

Continuously: Communicate effectively with students, staff, parents and community members.

Continuously: Vision to see near, distant, color, depth, peripherally and adjust focus with or without correction.

Seldom: Possess dexterity of hands and fingers to operate equipment including radio, computer keyboard/mouse and standard office equipment necessary to do job functions.

Continuously: Possess dexterity of hands and fingers to grasp and manipulate pens, markers, scissors, staplers, and other classroom and office type equipment necessary to do job functions.

Continuously: See to operate equipment, read and to understand written materials and ability to detect information displayed on a computer screen.

Continuously: Stand and walk long distances around campus on surfaces including concrete, asphalt, gravel and uneven surfaces, and maneuver in tight spaces between desks within classrooms.

Occasionally: Bend at the waist, kneel, stoop, squat, reach and crouch.

Frequently: Stand for extended periods of time.

Occasionally: Sit for extended periods of time including at desk.

Rarely: Climb stairs, and climb and balance on stool or ladder.

Continuously: Neck rotation and flexibility.

Continuously: Comply with timelines and deadlines with frequent interruptions.

Rarely: Respond to emergency bells.

Rarely: Restrain students when necessary.

Rarely: Travel to school for department meetings and school training/in-service meetings.

*Frequency definitions based on average 8-hour workday over the course of school year. Frequency may vary during school breaks if employee is scheduled to work.

Never: 0%

Seldom: 1% - 10% (less than 45 minutes)

Occasionally: 11% - 33% (up to 3.0 hours)

Frequently: 34% - 66% (up to 6 hours)

Continuously: 67% - 100% (greater than 6 hours)

Selection Process:

● Applications will be reviewed and rated by a screening committee

● Persons selected for an interview will be contacted

● Position will remain open until filled

Shade Canyon School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of employment, including recruitment, hiring, advancement, compensation, and benefits. No applicant or employee shall be discriminated against or harassed on the basis of race (including hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, national origin or ancestry, reproductive health decision-making, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, age (40 or older), physical or mental disability, or military and veteran status.

In accordance with the California Equal Pay Act, Shade Canyon School prohibits paying employees of another sex, race, or ethnicity less than employees of a different sex, race, or ethnicity for performing substantially similar work. Our salary decisions are based on bona fide factors such as experience, education, and performance, ensuring that all forms of compensation are distributed equitably.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $16.90 - $25.00 per hour

Expected hours: 10 – 20 per week

Work Location: In person