ABOUT ASPIRE
Aspire Public Schools operates a network of high-performing, college preparatory charter schools serving TK-12 scholars in communities across California. Founded in 1998—in an effort to transform the inequitable racial, social, and gender outcomes that our communities persist through—Aspire is one of the largest and most forward-thinking open-enrollment public charter school systems in the nation.
Our purpose is to prepare our scholars for success in college, career, and life. At Aspire, we set a foundation for our scholars to gain knowledge, skills, and power to access and make choices for their families and post-secondary lives. Every day, our community of students, families, teachers and staff comes together to learn, work, and play in an environment grounded in our values of Bienestar (Well-Being), Culture of Belonging, Community Partnership, Agency & Self-Determination, and Joy.
GENERAL SUMMARY:
The TK/K Instructional Assistant supports classroom teacher(s) in providing a high quality, personalized education program for students. They work during the school day and/or the after school program. The ideal candidate for this position is a recent college graduate who has an interest in pursuing a career as an educator.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Support developmentally appropriate classroom systems/procedures and help manage student behavior to ensure all students are fully engaged in learning
Develop and implement lesson plans and classroom activities consistent with California State Standards and Aspire Instructional Guidelines
Assess students regularly in accordance with Aspire guidelines and analyze assessment data
Collaborate with Aspire team members to improve own and others’ instructional practices; share best practices
Help classroom teacher(s) provide students and their families with regular and timely information on classroom activities and student progress
May help track critical student information and maintain accurate student records, including attendance, in accordance with Aspire procedures
Identify unique student needs and collaborate with other team members and outside service providers to diagnose and address learning challenges
Assist with planning and executing differentiated instruction for students with a variety of needs, including: parallel teaching, small group and/or one-on-one instruction.
Teach students in the after school program, especially intervention and acceleration for students below grade level
Support a school-wide culture of high expectations that includes college preparation for all students; work with College and Academic Counselor to support students with academic progress and college application processes
Teach or co-teach Advisory class with the objective of developing students’ character and habits
Actively participate in professional development activities, including: training sessions and working with lead teacher, principal, instructional coaches
Work towards career as an educator, which may include enrolling in teacher credential program
Demonstrate knowledge of, and support, Aspire Public Schools mission, vision, value statements, standards, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior
Support students with toileting needs
Perform other related duties as required and assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
Competencies:
Knowledge of child cognitive development and different learning styles
Ability and willingness to implement Aspire Instructional Guidelines and Best Practices
Ability and willingness to reflect and improve
Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to collaborate with colleagues, parents and community
Minimum educational level:
Associate’s degree or successful completion of 48 units of college credit or passing of Paraprofessional Test
Bachelor’s degree in Education, Teaching, or related field preferred
Physical requirements:
Stand, walk or bend over, kneel, crouch, reach overhead, grasp, push, and pull. Move, lift and/or carry up to 30 pounds to shoulder height
Repetitive use of hands (i.e. fine manipulation, simple grasping, and power grasping)
Demonstrate normal depth perception
Sitting, walking or standing for extended periods of time
Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, operate standard office equipment, and use a telephone
See and read a computer screen and printed matter with or without vision aids
Hear and understand speech at normal levels and on the telephone with or without auditory aides
Experience required:
Work authorization requirements:
Clear the Department of Justice background screening
Authorized to work in the United States
Provide health (TB) clearance (update every four years)
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics are representative of those in a normal office, classroom/school setting which one might encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work indoors in a standard office environment, computer lab, and/or classroom environment
Work is performed in indoor and outdoor environments
Exposure to dust, oils, and cleaning chemicals
Some exposure to childhood and other diseases in a school environment
May be required to work outside of typical work days and office hours to meet operational deadlines