Paid apprenticeship to become an early childhood educator

Young children need and deserve inspiring adult role models to help them discover the world and their place in it, to nurture and sustain their innate passion for learning and to encourage them to develop their limitless potential to effect change through leadership and the sense of responsibility, community and agency that child-centered Reggio programs inspire! Make an impact: become a CWO teacher! Aspiring early childhood educators of all backgrounds, experience and ability levels are encouraged to apply to one of our open full or part time positions listed below. About CWO The Children's Workshop Oakland is a diverse, welcoming and inclusive school community of approximately twelve teachers and fifty students. We are a small, highly creative and intensely collaborative program where staff, students and families feel respected, accepted, valued and encouraged to fully participate in helping our program fulfill its mission to provide young children with an engaging and challenging critical and creative education worthy of their tremendous capacity for learning and growth. Our teachers are passionately committed to the use of responsive Reggio, anti-bias and antiracist pedagogies which aim to foster a campus-wide culture of child-centered learning and inquiry with an emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. We believe that-like our young students-all human beings learn best when they feel safe, supported and empowered to authentically engage with others in ways that meaningfully reflect their whole selves, their interests, their values and their lived experiences. As an organization focused on teacher apprenticeship and mentoring, we appreciate diversity of thought, experience, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, religion, creed, physical ability, neurological make up, citizenship and socioeconomic status and remain dedicated to recruiting, training and developing aspiring early childhood educators of all backgrounds and ability levels. As a team we focus on training new and seasoned preschool teachers to facilitate in a style that is proactive, nurturing, responsive and culturally aware. We are a hard working group of educators from diverse walks of life united in our passion for: --Caring for young children (ages 2-5 years old); --Working in a Reggio, child-centered pedagogical style that positions our students' own interests, questions and experiences at the center of all learning; --Viewing young children as innately capable beings who deserve to be treated with kindness and respect; --Creating a supportive and personally and professionally growth-oriented collegial environment that views teacher quality of life as critically important to achieving optimum student learning outcomes.  We promote from within and it is our goal to provide all CWO employees with equality of access to numerous opportunities for professional advancement. All persons interested in exploring the joy and benefits of working in an early learning classroom are encouraged to apply. BIPOC candidates are especially welcome, as we are actively committed to ensuring that our teaching team continues to reflect the diversity of both our school community and our local geographic area.  Our intimate four classroom campus is conveniently located within short walking and biking distance from the Lakeshore side of Lake Merritt and BART/AC Transit routes and features beautiful and historic interior spaces flooded with natural light and covered in student art and project work reflecting the children's latest interests and investigations. Our natural classroom areas enable teachers to spend a significant portion of the school day working and playing with students outdoors. Junior and Entry Level Positions for Aspiring Early Childhood Educators and Persons Interested in Exploring Career Paths Working with Young Children:  --Monday-Friday on site; full time and morning or afternoon part time schedules --$16-21 x hour + comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits Full and part time entry and junior level teachers practice using responsive language and assist more senior teachers with facilitating activities while providing floating intermittent support across all classrooms and participating in ongoing apprenticeship and training to gain the knowledge and experience needed to become co-teaching partners and lead teachers. Required skills:  --Willingness to complete a minimum of 12 ECE units (online or in person) within the first year of employment. CWO will reimburse full in state tuition for any required units undertaken and passed with a grade of "B" or better; --Genuine interest in caring for young children; --Imaginative, nurturing, creative and flexible personality; --Collaborative and team-oriented mind set; --Strong written and verbal communication skills; --Strong work ethic; --Physical fortitude and mobility needed to lift up to 50lbs and spend significant periods of time standing, sitting on the floor and/or lifting and moving bins of curricular materials and preschool age children's bodies when they are in need of physical assistance; --Ability to multitask and fulfill duties energetically, efficiently and with an appropriate sense of speed/urgency; --Willingness to assist children with toileting, hand washing, diapering, changing of soiled clothing, etc. --Willingness to engage in shared daily cleaning and sanitizing duties; --Willingness to learn developmentally appropriate practice, explore the discourse of early childhood education and develop the ability to write professionally and reflectively about teaching, curriculum and student learning goals for an education-related audience. Desired qualifications: --Previous experience caring for children ages 2-5 years old as an aide, substitute teacher, parent, nanny, babysitter, etc.; --Familiarity with Reggio pedagogy and project-based learning; --Creative or performing arts background; --DIY/maker/crafter spirit; --Ability to play a musical instrument; --Interest in cooking, farm and garden curriculum. CWO is an equal opportunity employer.