Position: Guide, Wonder Studio (ages 4-5)
Location: TBD in Redding, California
Type: Part-time Employee; Hourly or Contractor
Reports to: Executive Director
Schedule: Monday, 8:00am - 4:30pm; Tuesday - Thursday, 8:00am - 1:00pm. Studios are on break for 1-2 weeks after every 6-week session.
Start Date: August 13, 2026; 10-month academic year with mid-June to mid-August off schedule and payroll
Compensation: $23.50-26.50/hour commensurate with experience for estimated 22 hours per week, decreased hours during session breaks.
Note: Complete application includes a cover letter and resume. Without both of these items, a candidate will not be considered for the position. Please email to [email protected] or upload both a cover letter and resume through Indeed.
At Acton Academy Redding, our vision is to keep the spark alive in every learner and nourish the genius within. Our mission is to cultivate an environment of radical freedom and beloved community, where learners embrace the responsibility of their own educational journey. We are committed to developing the most courageous, compassionate, resilient and joyful learners through socratic guidance, endless opportunities for challenge, and strong connection with those around them. Acton learners are equipped with real life skills and experience to discover their true selves, to thrive in an ever-changing world, and to make an impact wherever they go. Our core values are: Beloved Community, Love, Courage, Joy, and Radical Freedom & Responsibility.
Overview
The Wonder Guide is dedicated to enhancing early childhood education by implementing innovative practices in the studio for learners ages 4-5 years old. The guide plays a critical role in nurturing the foundational years of young learners through a child-centred, inquiry-based, and play-based approach. The pedagogical approach emphasises the integration of diverse cultures, promoting holistic development. Through developmentally appropriate practices and an emergent curriculum, guides support lifelong learning dispositions. This is a brand new studio launching this school year and starting with 10 learners.
Overall Professional Expectations
- Understand and adhere to the Acton Academy Redding Vision, Mission, and Educational
Philosophy.
- Be familiar with and follow the Playbook and training materials, along with the general
policies and procedures.
- Develop and maintain a trusting, cooperative, and collaborative working relationship with
your teaching team, being open-minded and respectful of different cultural perspectives.
- Actively participate and contribute as a team member to the wider school community.
- Stay alert to and knowledgeable about health and safety matters to ensure a safe learning
environment.
- Maintain professionalism in all aspects of work, including dress, punctuality, and
confidentiality.
- Passion for early childhood education, with a deep respect for children’s voices and innate
potential.
- Reflective, innovative, and commitment to continuous improvement.
- Leadership skills, demonstrating professionalism and respect in all interactions.
Roles and Responsibilities
1. Implement the Curriculum and Pedagogical Approach:
a. Apply early childhood best practices, focusing on child-led, inquiry-based learning.
b. Foster an environment where children's curiosity drives the learning process.
c. Ensure the curriculum supports holistic development through play, exploration, and
child-led learning experiences.
2. Commitment to Interculture Educational Philosophy:
a. Implement inquiry-based learning, play pedagogy, and child agency, equipping
children with critical thinking skills, creativity, and autonomy.
b. Integrate a dynamic, child-centered learning environment, including respect for individuality, diversity, collaboration, and global citizenship.
c. Foster a deep understanding of cultural education, promoting empathy and
self-regulation, adopting Prosocial Education.
3. Curriculum Design and Delivery:
a. Plan, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate learning experiences
both indoors and outdoors.
b. Help develop an emergent curriculum through anecdotal observations, teacher
reflections, and creative, age-appropriate responses to support individual interests
and strengths.
c. Promote experiential, child-led learning opportunities that encourage exploration
and creativity.
4. Classroom Environment and Routines:
a. Create and maintain a responsive and caring learning environment, incorporating
intentional learning strategies, such as figure grounds and provocations.
b. Establish clear daily routines and model respectful behavioral expectations, helping
children understand the structure and transitions within the school day.
c. Support positive guidance strategies that encourage independence, self-help skills,
and respectful interactions.
2d. Establish a safe and supportive learning environment that meets the developmental
needs of children.
5. Collaboration and Teamwork:
a. Develop a strong teaching relationship based on trust and collaboration.
b. Collaborate with trainers, volunteers, co-guides, and leadership team to ensure
alignment educational philosophy and goals.
c. Attend and contribute to team meetings, providing feedback, insights, and best
practices.
6. Family Engagement and Communication:
a. Foster positive relationships with families, ensuring they are partners in their child’s
learning journey.
b. Maintain regular communication with families through school-home app,
pedagogical documentation, communication channels, and meetings.
c. Incorporate family feedback and cultural knowledge into the learning environment
and curriculum planning.
d. Support family events, parent-teacher conferences, and school-wide initiatives,
fostering a sense of community and partnership.
7. Documentation and Reflection:
a. Engage in pedagogical documentation, reflecting on children’s learning processes
and development.
b. Use assessment and documentation to inform future teaching strategies and
communicate with families about progress.
8. Professional Growth and Development:
a. Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development, staying informed
on best practices in early childhood education.
b. Actively participate in professional reflection and school-wide initiatives, contributing
to the continuous evolution of educational approach.
c. Successfully complete the onboarding and induction year-long processes within the
first year of work.
d. Receive favorable evaluation outcomes.
Essential Skills and Qualifications:
1. Qualifications: Sub-Degree or Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field or
equivalent.
2. Experience: Proven experience in early childhood education with a focus on inquiry-based,
child-led learning preferred
3. Cultural Sensitivity: Ability to work in a multicultural environment, respecting and
incorporating diverse cultural perspectives.
4. Communication: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, building positive
relationships with children, families, and colleagues.
5. Teamwork: Effective collaboration with colleagues, volunteers, leadership, and families.
Acton Academy Redding is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students. All staff must comply with the Child Protection Policy and Procedures, including background checks, mandatory reporting training and uphold the highest standards of safeguarding.
Benefits
- Compensation includes a built-in raise (3-5%) after session 4 based on performance
- Paideia Learning employee benefits include: five (5) days of paid sick leave and ten (10) days of paid vacation or personal leave. The following ten (10) paid holidays are granted, in addition to personal paid leave: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Juneteenth, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the Friday following Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
- Gain valuable leadership and mentoring experience in a dynamic educational environment.
- Collaborative and supportive work environment; super fun and loving team.
- Develop communication, innovative problem-solving, community-building and teamwork skills.
- Make a positive impact on the lives of young learners and inspire and protect a love of learning.
- Opportunity to create and grow one of Redding’s most revolutionary school and be a part of changing the educational landscape in the North Far North.
Acton Academy Redding is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions based on qualifications, merit, and organizational needs. We do not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, or any other indentifying characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Job Types: Part-time, Contract
Pay: $23.50 - $26.50 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
