Beginning School Early Childhood Substitute T

Position: Beginning School Early Childhood Substitute Teacher

Reports to: Beginning School Director

Supervises: N/A

Additional Terms: Non Exempt, On call hourly position, occasional

travel and ability to drive required for attendance as

community events, professional development and

the occasional chaperoning of student activities.

Charles Wright Academy (CWA) is a co-educational, non-religious, independent school located

in University Place, WA. Charles Wright Academy is located on a beautiful, green, and

sprawling 107-acre campus that includes athletic fields and more than 60 acres of gorgeous

Pacific Northwest forests that also serve as an extension of our proper academic campus. Our

educational philosophy of experiential learning includes unique daily opportunities for wilderness

exploration, hiking, birding, wildlife observations, gardening, nature habitat sketch subjects for

art studies, local biological science exploration, conservation work, farming, and more.

The only completely co-educational, independent, and non-religious school serving students in

preschool through grade 12 in the South Sound area, CWA provides a challenging and

nurturing environment with college preparatory academics and robust programming that prepare

students to thrive and successfully launch into college and beyond. A wide array of experiential

education, artistic, athletic, travel, and service opportunities promote students’ social-emotional

development and provide students avenues to discover and pursue their passions. A culture

that values self-expression, appropriate autonomy, and exploration of their authentic selves,

students are nurtured, encouraged, mentored, and supported by a highly-qualified and

experienced faculty that share collective institutional values and provide engaging, active, and

joyful experiences for students each and every day.

Charles Wright Mission Statement

To inspire active, joyful learning while nurturing and challenging our students to develop the

character, creativity, and skills to successfully navigate the future with confidence.

Position Description

Charles Wright Academy Beginning School is a Washington State licensed program serving

children aged 30 months - 5 years. The Beginning School Assistant Teacher will have a

knowledge of early childhood developmentally appropriate practice. This position will need

foundational knowledge in play-based pedagogy as well as Project Based Learning (PBL), child

led, inquiry focused and nature centered pedagogy. The Beginning School Assistant Teacher

will work in conjunction with the Beginning School Teacher and the Beginning School Associate

Teacher in their assigned classroom to ensure that children have the space and time to engage

with learning experiences that are active, joyful and connected to their curiosity. This position

will support the social emotional care and learning for each child. In addition to facilitating

learning across all developmental domains, the Beginning School teacher will collaborate with

the Teacher and Assistant Teacher in their classroom as well as their colleagues across the

Division. This position will work with families in partnership to support their child’s learning

journey. The Beginning School Assistant Teacher will actively work to contribute to a thriving

learning community and be willing to continue to grow their own teaching pedagogy.

Responsibilities

• Beginning School Assistant Teacher, in conjunction with the Beginning School Teacher and
• Beginning School Director will meet the following expectations:
• Partner with the Teacher and Associate Teacher as a community member and a collaborator in facilitating a rich, play based pedagogy.
• Be continually prepared to step into the Lead Teacher role should that be necessary.
• Support multi-dimensional, cross domain learning experiences utilizing a broad range of materials.
• Facilitate learning that aligns and embodies Charles Wright’s Mission, Values, Inclusion Statement and Portrait of a Tarrier.
• Knows and follows the Washington Administrative Code as it applies to licensed childcare centers.
• Aligns teaching with each child as an individual, taking into account their identity, culture and lived experience creating a classroom community where all voices are heard and considered.
• Document children’s growth and learning, throughout the entire year, using the documentation processes of Reggio Emilia.
• Use the Ages and Stages developmental screening tool.
• The health and safety of a classroom of 20 children utilizing all health and safety protocols.
• Attends all scheduled faculty and community meetings. Participate as a willing partner in all initiatives meant to further the mission of the school.
• Exceptional communication skills, written and verbal
• Serve as a strong supporter for diversity and inclusion and be a constant champion for student belonging
• Maintain confidential information as appropriate
• Other duties as assigned by the Head of School

Qualifications

Candidates will possess appropriate expertise and experience for an applicant able to perform

the duties as outlined in this posting and deliver consistent and excellent outcomes.

Qualified candidates will hold or be in process of completing an associates degree in early

childhood education or related field and have a minimum of two years of teaching experience.

Preferred candidates will hold or be seeking a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or

a related field, possess relevant licensure, and have experience working with children birth-5.

Experience in the approaches of Reggio Emilia or other constructivist approaches as well as

Project Based Learning preferred. Qualified candidates will possess a strong commitment to

experiential education, serve as a champion of diversity and inclusion and cultural competency,

possess the ability to inspire and challenge young people, the capacity to work cooperatively

with peers, a keenness for working with young children 30 months to 5 years, a strong work

ethic, and a joyful sense of humor. Candidates should be able to work flexibly with various

educational technologies and an ability to navigate Google Google Workspace and Mac

hardware/systems is preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to sit and stand for extended periods of time;
• Must be able to lift 40 lbs;.
• Must be able to walk long distances and up hilly terrain;
• Must be able to move easily around a classroom, accessing materials and assisting children as needed;
• Must be able to communicate and exchange information with children, other teachers, and families with appropriately sensitive and accurate communication skills.

Salary & Benefits

This position has an hourly rate of $25.00. Benefits available are subject to plan and candidate

eligibility. 

Insurance:  Medical, Vision, Dental; Basic Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and Long

Term Disability; Health Care FSA; and Dependent Care FSA may be available to employees,

subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plan.

Retirement Plan: CWA offers an employer and employee contributed 403(b) plan, subject to

the terms of the applicable benefit plan.

Paid Sick Leave: Employees receive 116 hours of paid sick/wellness leave per year.

Personal Leave: Employees will receive 3 days of personal leave per year.

Paid Holidays:  CWA offers 12 paid holidays per year.

Other Benefits: EAP (Employee Assistance Program), Tuition Assistance for employees

seeking advanced degrees, Professional Development opportunities, Child Tuition Remission of

50% for those choosing to enroll eligible students at CWA, 50% discount of Extended Day child

care services and Summer Camp programming for eligible enrolled students.

Application Process

To apply, submit a cover letter addressing why you feel you are the right fit for this role at

Charles Wright Academy and how that aligns with both our Mission and Inclusion Statements

(both included in this posting). Please provide an updated resume, and email and telephone

contact information for 3-5 professional references (which must include your most recent

supervisor) via Indeed, Zip Recruiter or charleswright.org where this posting occurs.

Applications for this position will be accepted until filled. No phone calls or inquiries, please.

Inclusion Statement

Charles Wright Academy best exemplifies its mission and values when everyone knows they belong in our school community. We embrace an intentional culture that champions everyone’s full participation as their authentic selves in all of the opportunities that comprise the Charles Wright experience. This includes supporting each community member’s understanding of their own identities and acceptance of the identities of others. By doing so, we empower everyone at Charles Wright to connect, learn, grow, and achieve. The inclusive culture we strive for requires us to make both institutional and individual commitments. Institutionally, we will align policies, curriculum, and decision-making to this goal, and we commit to ongoing self-examination, learning, and action. We also encourage and support individuals to initiate and engage in candid, courageous conversations as this work is the responsibility of every member of our community. (adopted by the CWA Board of Trustees, March 2020)