Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Gillispie School is an independent K-6 school in La Jolla, CA. We are a vibrant community devoted to developing empathetic global citizens and resilient learners. We honor and foster each child’s social, emotional, and intellectual journey.

Gillispie teachers ignite each child’s creative and intellectual potential from early childhood to sixth grade. By designing authentic explorations and applying a cross-disciplinary approach, we help children discover their interests and passions. We encourage personal accountability and view mistakes as avenues for learning. Balancing academic programs with a constructivist philosophy, we prepare children for their futures in ways that both challenge and nurture them along their educational paths. We embrace diversity and appreciate that differing views and life experiences help us generate insightful solutions. At Gillispie, every child is known.

Position description:

The prekindergarten teacher is a constructivist educator with a deep respect for young children who is committed to their lifelong learning. Early childhood educators at Gillispie School team teach in nurturing, inquiry-based environments that meet the cognitive, emotional, social, and physical needs of young children. Teachers co-research topics with children and colleagues to create a curriculum that supports inquiry-based, experiential learning. Daily documentation, reflection meetings, and analysis of children’s experiences are used as tools to deepen and extend learning. The responsibilities of Prekindergarten Teachers include, but are not limited to, the following:

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education (or related field), including at least 12 ECE units
• At least 3 years of teaching experience in a social constructivist, inquiry-based school environment
• Familiarity with play-based learning, emergent curriculum, and the Reggio Emilia philosophy
• Ability to communicate well with parents, other teachers, and administrators

Key Responsibilities:

Philosophy, Curriculum, and Instruction Responsibilities

• Actively working to implement an emergent curriculum approach in the classroom: questioning, observing, documenting, reflecting (as aligned with the philosophy of Reggio Emilia)
• Ability to prioritize and support multiple projects and requests from the co-teacher and peer teachers
• Supervising up to 12 children with an eye to their safety and well-being, including the ability to make sound judgments and to take immediate action during emergencies

Communication and Professionalism Expectations

• Punctual, consistent attendance for each school day, while maintaining a professional appearance
• Communicating with parents in a consistent, respectful, and productive manner
• Component use of relevant technology, including basic computer skills, and using multimedia programs
• Engaging with children in a gentle, positive, nurturing manner
• Maintaining a calm, pleasant demeanor while attending to multiple interpersonal situations simultaneously
• Working as an effective, respectful, cooperative team member with all co-workers and supervisors

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Full-time, in-person, campus-based role
• Work performed indoors and outdoors
• Requires sitting, standing, walking, and kneeling—to be at the level of students—for extended periods of time, both in the classroom and on the playground
• Ability to lift up to 60 pounds
• Ability to bend, reach, and move independently around campus

Compensation Range: $26-$32/hr, non-exempt, full-time, 10-month position with benefits

Please reply with a letter of interest, resume, and references to Dr. Mindy Coates Smith, Director of Early Childhood. Address in your letter your experience with social-constructivist approaches, play-based programming, and emergent curriculum strategies.

Gillispie School is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals in education and employment. School programs, activities, and practices will be free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying by reason of the following actual or perceived characteristics: sex/gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, transgender status, race, color, religion, ethnicity, ethnic group identification, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, age, military/veteran status, marital status, registered domestic partner status, pregnancy status, and any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local law.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $26.00 - $32.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person