Title: Teaching Assistant

Purpose of Position: To provide an engaging and enriching educational experience for students 

Employment Status: Full-time Reporting

Reports to: Principal

Location: Assigned Campus

Essential Functions:

Demonstrate Knowledge of Content and Pedagogy

• Assist and support lead classroom teacher in providing instructional support to students

• Work with small groups of students to reinforce instruction provided by lead classroom teacher

• Provide clear and accurate classroom explanations as necessary

• Provide accurate answers to students’ questions

• Provide feedback to students that furthers learning

Create an Environment of Respect and Rapport

• Encourage and model respectful talk, active listening and turn taking

• Acknowledge students’ backgrounds and lives outside of the classroom

• Exhibit body language indicative of warmth and caring to students

• Encourage and model politeness, fairness and support for all community members

• Actively assist in the supervision of students

Establish a Culture for Learning

• Demonstrate a belief in the value of what is being learned 

• Encourage high expectations, supported through both verbal and nonverbal behaviors, for both learning and participation

• Encourage and recognize effort and persistence on the parts of students

• Supports a culture that promotes high expectations for expression and work products

• Facilitate smooth functioning classroom routines with little or no loss of instructional time

• Facilitate classroom routines where students play an important role in carrying out the routines

Utilize Effective Instructional Strategies

• Encourage and support student enthusiasm, interest, thinking, problem solving, etc.

• Facilitate an environment where students are actively “working” rather than watching while their teacher “works”

• Gathers and uses evidence of student understanding to assist the lead classroom teacher by using the information to inform instruction and remediation

• Assists students in assessing their own work against established criteria 

Display Professionalism and Commitment to the Audubon Community

• Perform all duties as assigned including arrival, lunch and dismissal as appropriate

• Reflect and refine personal practice based on feedback from others and self-reflection

• Assist the lead classroom teacher in maintaining accurate documentation of student progress

• Assist the lead classroom teacher in preparing materials as necessary

• Regularly work with colleagues to share and plan for student success

• Participate in professional development opportunities that emphasize improving practice

• Regularly participate in or initiate school activities which further the mission of the school

• Fulfills organizational mandates regarding policies and procedures

Education, Training and Experience:

REQUIRED

• High School Diploma required

• Experience working with children in a school or related setting

• Experience in and/or understanding of the public school system including charter schools is desirable

PREFERRED

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in education or related field

• CDA

Note: This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with it. Responsibilities may change based on the evolving needs of the school and its students.