Special Education Teaching Assistant

About Sankofa Montessori

Are you looking to make history, join a values-driven community, a community that invests in YOU, and a community that will provide you with what you need to do what you love? Then look no further than Sankofa Montessori, Metro Atlanta’s only State Charter School Commission-approved K-6 Public Montessori Charter School.

Our vision is to design more purposeful futures. We achieve our vision by providing a culturally responsive, child- and family-centered Montessori education so we can develop in all of our students the knowledge, skill, and agency to have a life of purpose. 

At Sankofa, the special education teaching assistant provides support to identified students  to ensure they are adequately equipped with the tools they need to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. In this role, the special education paraprofessional partners with students, parents, related service providers, and members of the school staff to provide critical support to their assigned students to guarantee their daily success. The position reports to the Director of Student Support and Services. 

Location: 5881 Phillips Drive, Forest Park, GA, 30297

Start Date: January 13, 2024

Hours: 7:15 AM-4:15 PM

Key Responsibilities 

Instructional Support 

• Assists students (e.g., lifting, transitioning from desk to wheel chair etc.…) for the purpose of attending to the student’s personal hygiene and care needs. 
• Attends meetings and in-service presentations for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to job functions.  
• Communicates with supervising instructional staff, and a variety of health care professionals, and professional support personnel for the purpose of communicating progress or implementing IEP objectives.  
• Escorts student (e.g. bathroom, classroom, community etc.…) for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and safe arrival to and/or from a destination. 
•  Implements, under the supervision of assigned teacher, research based interventions for the purpose of presenting and/or reinforcing learning concepts.  
• Intervenes in potential conflicts utilizing appropriate physical and/or therapeutic approaches for the purpose of diffusing confrontations and minimizing disruptions.
• Monitors student’s daily schedule and behavior plan for the purpose of maintaining a safe and positive learning environment.  
• Provides, under the supervision of the assigned teacher, instruction to the student in a variety of individual and group activities for the purpose of reinforcing instructional objectives; implementing IEP plans; and ensuring the student’s access to his/her least restrictive environment.  
• Supervises individual and/or groups of students in a variety of settings (e.g. community field trips, hallways, bus loading areas, cafeteria, parking lots, classrooms, etc.) for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment.  
• Prepares the learning environment to allow the student to participate in classroom activities. 
•  Supervises and escorts the student during any and all emergency drills or during actual emergencies for the purpose of providing a safe learning environment.
• Monitor  student before and after school and during non-instructional transition periods.
• Supervise student closely during breakfast and /or lunch and/or recess and/or specials 
• Perform other duties as assigned by classroom teacher or appropriate administrator.

Classroom Culture

• Foster habits of excellence, including order and grace & courtesy, through schoolwide and classroom-level practices and rituals, such as connecting before redirecting, using a warm and firm tone, matching children with works in the environment, tending the heart of virtue through presenting beautiful literature, and sharing responsibility for all our children
• Be a model of character for students
• Supervise assigned students within the classroom and outside of the classroom: on the playground, during bathroom breaks, at lunchtime and on field trips

For this position, we’re looking for candidates that possess a combination of the following skills:

• Associates Degree, 2 years of college credit
• Experience working with children with Autism and/or Down Syndrome, preferred 
• Willing to serve all children, regardless of background or needs, in an inclusive and supportive setting
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Warm and firm demeanor
• Work collaboratively with a growth mindset. Give and receive feedback in a spirit of craftsmanship.
• Strong learning orientation and desire to work in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
• Can complete physical demands of the role (including standing and walking for extended periods of time and lifting heavy objects up to 40 Ibs)
• Unwavering commitment to Sankofa Montessori’s mission and willingness to go above and beyond to meet the needs of Sankofa Montessori students, families, and staff
• Successful background check results required

COMPENSATION

• Sankofa Montessori’s compensation philosophy is to pay competitively for the PK-12 charter market to ensure equity across our institution.  Sankofa Montessori is committed to internal pay equity throughout our organization.

Supports:

• Materials needed to be successful in your role, including supplies etc. 

Equal Employment Opportunity: Sankofa Montessori provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.