Position Type:
Elementary School Teaching

Date Posted:
8/11/2022

Location:
LEARN Network

Closing Date:
Until Filled

About LEARN

Founded in 2001, LEARN is a network of high-performing college preparatory, tuition-free public elementary and middle schools with the mission of providing children with the academic foundation and ambition to earn a college degree. There are 11 LEARN Schools serving 4,100 students in grades PK-8 across Chicago, Waukegan, North Chicago, and Washington, D.C.

It is our goal to create an environment, on every campus, in which our staff members feel supported, respected, and appreciated. Our staff work together at each school and across the network to share ideas, problem solve, and innovate to move our schools and students beyond the expected.

LEARN and our amazing educators, have received numerous recognitions for making an impact in public education, including the 2018 Chicago Magazine's Top Elementary Charter Schools and the 2018 Illinois Network of Charter Schools Principal of the Year Award.

LEARN's mission remains crystal clear: to provide children with the academic foundation and ambition to earn a college degree. LEARN is currently looking for hard-working and passionate professionals that are dedicated to transforming public education.

About the Opportunity
Working as an Instructional Assistant, you will collaborate and partner with the Classroom Teacher to ensure successful academic outcomes for students.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

As an Instructional Assistant, your critical tasks will include:

• Demonstrating understanding of the instructional program by applying instructional techniques applicable to curriculum and best practices
• Exhibiting the skills required to successfully execute tasks
• Possessing sufficient ability to monitor students and control behavior of students
• Understanding and carries out oral and written instructions
• Utilizeing materials, technology, etc. effectively to enhance instruction
• Demonstrating time management skills
• Providing for active student engagement through management of lessons
• Possessing the ability to adapt to different tasks as needed
• Demonstrating a working knowledge of child development
• Helping promote students' independence, social skills and self-esteem
• Effectively communicating with children to promote student understanding
• Supporting classroom management plan and behavior of students
• Monitoring students' behavior and assisting in establishing expectations for behavior in accordance to school-wide/ classroom discipline plan
• Effectively monitoring children outside of classroom (e.g. recess, lunchroom, etc.) and while instructor is occupied
• Intervening appropriately to prevent student disruption of the education process
• Interacting with students in a supportive way reflecting reciprocal respect

INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT

• Communicating performance expectations to students
• Assisting in establishing expectations for behavior and academics in accordance with school-wide and classroom expectations
• Consistently following through with identified instructional roles & obligations in classroom (TBD by instructor and assistant)
• Assisting instructor in conducting instructional activities
• Applying instructional techniques applicable to curriculum area/ specific students (e.g. small group instruction)
• Advising and informing instructor of student academic performance as applicable
• Implementing strategies demonstrating an understanding of LEARN's expectations and best practices
• Effectively planning and executing whole/ small group instruction
• Working with the instructor to plan classroom instruction
• Utilizing appropriate student assessments to effectively inform differentiated instruction (e.g. utilizes anecdotals -Pensieve)
• Identifying students' academic needs and effectively address them
• Plannning goals, actual instruction and assessment practices are consistently aligned and reflect an awareness of recommended practice
• Instructional strategies implemented demonstrate an understanding of LEARN's expectations and best practices (e.g. professional development goals)
• Effectively providing instructions to students (whole and small groups, one-on-one)
• Assisting in the organization of classroom environment

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

This job is a great fit if:

• You have completed some college coursework required (60+ credit hours preferred)
• You are a current participant in a instructor certification program
• You possess 1+ years experience working with students in a classroom setting

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics

To succeed as an Instructional Assistant, you display the following characteristics:

• Experience with Microsoft Office applications, databases, and intranet and internet usage.
• Strong written and verbal skills
• Professional demeanor
• Ability to express self effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Experience in development and implementation procedures.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects, adhering to strict timelines.
• Detail oriented and highly organized.
• Comfortable interacting with internal and external customers
• Ability to defuse situation and get other organized to meet project expectations
• High degree of initiative and independent judgment.
• Ability to tactfully and effectively deal with public and staff in a personable and professional manner.
• Maintains a high level of energy and a consistent positive attitude.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

This job is an ideal fit if:

• You have 2+ years experience in a classroom setting
• You area a Student Teacher with required education for becoming a Teacher in 12 to 24 months
• You have a paraprofessional certification

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Nature of work requires an ability to operate standard business office equipment. Requires ability to communicate and exchange information, collect, compile and prepare work documents, set-up and maintain work files. Physically demands require the ability to stand, bend, reach high and low, stoop, walk around the classroom and kneel upwards of 60% of the day. In addition walking up and down stairs several times a day. Must be able to lift 15 to 20 pounds for short periods of time and push and pull 15 to 20 lbs.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Majority of work performed in a general office environment. Position requires availability for extended hours plus non-traditional hours required to perform job duties. Also requires participation and attendance at organization sponsored events and meetings.

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of LEARN Charter Schools Network. Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.

For applicants who apply after 11/1/21, proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a valid medical or religious exemption required.