Teaching Assistant/Para

Job Description

Every member of the Team & Family at W.K. Jackson Leadership Academy plays a critical role in ensuring our students have the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose - college, career and beyond. Our educators are passionate advocates for their students and their families, working tirelessly to ensure that our students have access to opportunity. In our classrooms and across the WK Jackson family we embrace, honor and celebrate our differences across several characteristics that construct our unique identities in our team and family. We are especially committed to attracting and developing individuals who share the life experiences of our students because we believe the best work we do is grounded in the realities and experiences of our families. As a Teacher or teacher assistant, you will deliver exceptional instruction and assess student growth. You are dedicated to constant learning and proactively provide academic and cultural support to your school and team.

As a W.K. Jackson Leadership Academy Teacher Assistant, is responsible for helping Teachers complete daily tasks within a classroom environment. Their duties include leading lessons or small group activities for students, grading student assignments in accordance with the Teachers grading criteria and providing individual guidance to students with learning disabilities or behavioral challenges.

Teaching Assistants perform many leadership, organizational and classroom management tasks to support both Teachers and students. Their duties and responsibilities may also include:

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  Helping Teachers with lesson preparation, including collecting materials and setting up equipment
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  Reviewing lessons or lectures with students on a one-on-one basis or in small groups
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  Supervising students in class, between classes and during recreation periods and field trips
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  Tracking attendance, grading assignments and calculating grades
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  Giving extra help to students who need special accommodations or are struggling with a concept
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  Assisting students with special learning requirements, including disabilities or English as a second language students
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  Attending faculty meetings and parent conferences
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  Collaborating with the Teacher to identify students’ issues and recommend solutions
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  Observing state, school and class rules and regulations

Academic and Cultural Support: 

• Collaborate with content and grade-level teams to promote an environment of critical thinking and academic rigor.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with students and families based on trust and respect.
• Participate in the daily functions of the school such as morning, lunch, and afternoon supervisory duties.
• Attend critical school events such as staff meetings, open houses, and parent-teacher conferences.
• Develop individualized learning plans for students and communicate these plans to families in parent meetings and conferences.
• Meet professional obligations including timeliness and consistency in meeting deadlines.

Qualifications

Skills and Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Para Professional Certification and/or Associates degree
• Demonstrated knowledge of core subject area assigned
• Satisfactory outcome of a background check. Employees are responsible for a non-refundable fingerprinting fee (approximately $50.00).

Competencies:

• Unwavering commitment to W.K. Jackson mission, students, families, and community
• Strong record of helping students achieve academic success, primarily with students in educationally underserved communities
• Strong desire to teach an academically intense curriculum and commit to an extended school day, week, and year
• Desire to continuously learn and increase effectiveness as a teacher and professional; offer and receive constructive feedback
• Willingness to be flexible and to go above and beyond to meet the needs of W.K. Jackson  students

Additional Information

Compensation

As a full time W.K. Jackson employee you are eligible to participate in all W.K. Jackson benefit plans. W.K. Jackson offers a robust variety of benefits choices with competitive rates, including medical, dental, and vision options, as well as life insurance and disability plans.

W.K. Jackson provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.