Prospect Sierra School First Grade Associate Teacher – Maternity Leave Teacher 2026-27 school year  (August through Early March – 7 month position) 

Overview of School

Prospect Sierra is an independent, coed TK–8 school located on two campuses in El Cerrito, California, serving 450 students. Prospect Sierra gives students the tools to build a better world by integrating rigorous academics with a deep understanding of human emotions. Every day, our exceptional teachers connect students’ academic experiences to ethics, empathy, and social and emotional intelligence. The result is deeper intellectual engagement, greater self-knowledge, and compassionate relationships. Prospect Sierra students develop the courage to become more than great students, but great people. Please visit our website, www.prospectsierra.org, for more information.

Overview of Position

Prospect Sierra is seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Associate Teacher for seven months of the 2026-27 school year. This position is for a substitute 7 month-long 1st Grade Associate Teacher, with an on campus start date of August 17, 2026. Reporting to the Elementary Division Head, the Associate Teacher will work closely with the lead first grade teacher to support a nurturing and engaging learning environment. This role also involves collaboration with the Associate Teacher Program Team Leader to enhance professional growth and instructional skills. This is a full-time teaching position. The associate teacher is responsible for providing support to the lead teacher in assisting students both academically and socially.

At Prospect Sierra School, associate teacher positions are full-time. The school recognizes that the scope of an associate’s work will depend in part on that associate’s particular schedule and grade level, as well as particular teacher training program expectations, which vary depending on the program. Prospect Sierra is committed to supporting associate teachers who are considering or are already in credential programs; our associate teacher program typically supports associates for two to four years as they complete their credential program and/or gain the necessary skills to move into lead teaching roles.

Daily Responsibilities of an Associate Teacher

• Support the Lead Teacher in creating a positive learning environment for early childhood development.
• Assist in the preparation of classroom materials.
• Share in the planning of the weekly curriculum.
• Assist in maintaining a clean, well-organized learning environment.
• Maintain ongoing communication with the lead teacher on classroom issues and individual students.
• Model patience, flexibility, kindness, responsibility, a sense of humor, and a respect for others.

Required Qualifications

• Appreciation for and desire to work with early elementary students
• Demonstrated desire to learn and expand on best practices in early childhood/elementary education
• Knowledge of the essential role social emotional literacy plays in the workplace and interest in the application of SEL within the educational setting
• Recognition of the importance of creating an inclusive classroom community that allows for a multitude of perspectives to be heard and respected, potentially including knowledge of identity-safe and anti-bias educational practices
• Ability to take initiative, work passionately and joyfully, and collaborate effectively with diverse constituencies
• Willingness to be a team player, show initiative, and take on leadership roles as needed
• A passionate commitment to creating an innovative, joyful environment for students
• Bachelor of Arts or Science degree and/or professional coursework or certification

In addition to required qualifications, desirable additional skills include

• Experience in an early childhood setting
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Flexibility
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Organizational skills and the ability to multitask
• Willingness to engage in learning how best to use current technology tools to support teaching and learning
• Nuanced understanding of DEI/social justice knowledge from a personal or programmatic perspective

School-wide Duties

• Participation on committees as needed and appropriate
• Attend Back to School Night and Open House
• Ancillary duties include responsibilities that are part of elementary school life, e.g., team and staff meetings, attendance at school functions, and recess duties weekly

Salary

The salary is competitive. Benefits included. See pay scale here.

How to Apply

Send a résumé (including contact information for three references) and one-page cover letter to:

Jessica Walker, Elementary School Division Head

tapscottjobs@prospectsierra.org

Prospect Sierra School is an equal opportunity employer. Our community is diverse in many ways, inclusive of race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender spectrum, age, ability, and more. We welcome and value the same in our faculty and staff.

Tagged as: K-6