Patagonia·Ventura, Iowa
The Substitute Teacher provides coverage for infant, preschool, and school-age classrooms while ensuring child safety and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum. Responsibilities also include transporting children, maintaining classroom organization, and fostering positive relationships with families and staff.
Role: Substitute Teacher-Seasonal/Intermittent
Team: Child Development
Scope: Individual Contributor, Level ES4
Years of Experience: 2+
Location: Ventura, CA
$25.90 - $26.90 USD per hour
The Substitute Teacher is responsible for providing substitute coverage for classroom teachers in the infant, preschool & school age programs. The Substitute Teacher is responsible for all aspects of care for children ages 2 months to 9 years. Daily responsibilities of this role may include: transportation of school age children, stocking center supplies/groceries, physical caregiving; implementation of age appropriate, individualized curriculum; facilitating supportive relationships with children, parents and colleagues; and assisting in classroom parent communications such as newsletters and activity calendars and classroom organization.
What You’ll Do: The responsibilities of this position will include, but are not limited to the following:
Create a High-Quality Classroom
Infuse the classroom with language, songs, games and activities throughout the day.
Co-create and organize a stimulating and developmentally appropriate learning environment suitable for all of the children enrolled in the mixed aged classroom.
Ensure visual supervision and child safety at all times.
Create an instructional curriculum that meets the needs of each child with concern for his/her interests, individual learning style and pace of learning.
Form relationships with parents, children and co-teachers that are respectful of individual differences, family styles and cultural/socioeconomic diversity.
Provide programing that is in accordance with the policies, philosophy, and cornerstones of the Patagonia.
Create the highest quality program for Patagonia children, employees and teachers.
Ensure a structured routine that allows for scheduled meal and rest breaks for the teaching team and maintains a flexible yet consistent daily schedule and routine for the children and parents.
Interact Positively with Children
Communicate with children, families and teachers in a positive manner.
Create a language rich environment to foster language skills.
Treat each child with dignity and respect.
Guide children in becoming responsible integral members of the group and community.
Facilitate for children to become actively involved in problem solving in the environment.
Utilize developmentally appropriate guidance practices for children in a multi-age program.
Encourage children to be responsible for their actions.
Work with Parents
Partner with parents to create an easy transition into the classroom.
Create an environment that embraces communication with parents.
Work with each classroom team to effectively share &/or address parent concerns or feedback.
Support Positive Staff Relationships and Administrative Functions
Be courteous and respectful of peers.
Create an environment that embraces open communications between staff to ensure a high-quality environment for children and families.
Contribute to classroom administrative tasks as requested such as newsletters, activity calendars, daily information sheets, daily attendance, shopping lists, daily staff-child ratios, etc.) in a timely manner.
Assist in providing appropriate support and fostering skill development in substitute teachers.
Provide support &/or work in other age groups/programs based off the centers needs
Attend and participate in all staff meetings.
Attend all in-service trainings.
Direct issues to the appropriate persons in a timely manner.
Transportation of Children
Responsible for ensuring safe transportation of children in GPCDC/VRCDC vans at all times.
Responsible for ensuring timely pick up & drop-off of children from designated & approved sites.
Completion of daily inspection reports.
High school graduate.
Passionate about child development and supporting our company mission to save our home planet.
Excellent customer service skills in person, via email, and on the phone.
Comfortable with team-based work structure; ability to demonstrate flexibility on the job.
Demonstrates initiative, is conscientious and provides complete follow-through on areas of responsibility.
Seasonal/Intermittent employees are on call employees who may not work over 19 hours per week, more than 76 hours per month, or more than 500 hours in a rolling 12-month period measured by looking backward at the 12 months preceding the date on which the employee’s total hours are measured.
Seasonal employees are not eligible for any Company-sponsored benefits unless otherwise required by law. Seasonal employees are eligible for sick leave benefits and in store discounts.
This position is Onsite, requiring employees to work at our Ventura office during standard business hours.
Employee Conduct It is the responsibility of every employee to contribute to a positive, inclusive work environment through cooperative and professional interactions with co-workers, customers and vendors.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors prohibited by law.
Market context
Substitute teacher openings in Iowa are often driven by day-to-day classroom coverage needs, so districts look for candidates who can start quickly and stay available. This role is competitive because it requires a high school diploma or GED, a background check, and ongoing shift availability, while prior teaching or childcare experience can help. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, and confirm you can meet the five-shift monthly expectation before applying.