The Growing Place is a non-profit child development center that operates two campuses in Santa Monica — established in 1985 to provide high-quality early education to full-time working families. We are NAEYC accredited and inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach.

The Atelierista shares the responsibility in leading the school in a social constructivist curriculum and implementation. In addition to working with children, faculty, staff, and administrators, this candidate is a part of the Educational Coordinating Team (ECT). The ECT serves as the catalyst of the school to continuously reflect, innovate, and contribute to the evolution of the school. Specifically, the Atelierista expands and enhances the teachers and children’s meaning-making and wonder through a diverse use of mediums, materials, experiences, and environments. The candidate should be professionally prepared as an artist and have experience working with young children. This position requires a candidate to be creative, organized, analytical, flexible, reflective, and collaborative; the candidate knows how to work with children in a developmentally appropriate manner and fulfill the Growing Place’s mission, philosophy, and pedagogy. 

To Apply

Email cover letter, resume, and philosophy of education statement to: employment@growingplace.org

Responsibilities include:

• Build trusting, respectful, and professional relationships with children and families 

• Work in close relationship with the teachers in all classrooms, supporting the ongoing learning projects and groups.

• Facilitate and sustain a system that brings an introduction and exploration of art materials to all the classrooms.

• Develop provocations and questions to bring meaningful experiences with multiple languages including light and shadow, color, paint, line tools, clay, nature, movement, and sound.

• Ability to document a process and elevate the visibility of children’s ideas and theories throughout the school and outdoor environments; through video, blog posts, panels, displays, etc.

• Inspire the teachers and school with provocations and perspectives.

Candidate Requirements:

• A bachelors or masters degree in a creative field or discipline is preferred

• One year of experience in a school setting or working with children

• Participate in professional development opportunities

• Demonstrated understanding of child development

Compensation:

• Pay begins at $18/hr. (DOE)