Job Details

Who We Are:

Helix Academy is a brand-new elementary microschool, opening for our first class in just a few weeks. Our program is open to anyone, but designed for students who are gifted, have special learning needs, or both. We offer personalized core instruction and collaborative project-based learning in a supportive social-emotional environment. Our first class is a mixed-age group of fewer than eight K-2 students, many of whom have ADHD or are on the autism spectrum.

The Role:

This role requires warmth, flexibility, and curiosity. No two days will be the same! Because our program is built around personalized education, our head of school is often meeting with individuals and small groups of students. The role of our teaching assistant is to support and supervise groups of up to 6 students while they are working on academic tasks, reading, or playing. Teaching assistants, along with the head of school, supervise students during outdoor play, and while walking to and from campus to the park. Teaching assistants should be comfortable reading stories and leading simple activities for groups of up to six students.

Our teaching assistants play a key role in behavior management, and are expected to be proactive in supporting positive behavior. They are level-headed, acting as the calm in the storm when students are escalated. We are looking for creative problem solvers who can help us figure out the best way to meet our student’s needs.

Teaching assistants maintain open, honest, and clear communication with other staff members.

Scheduling:

Our current need for support is on weekdays between 9:30am and 1:00pm. Starting in mid-August, we are looking to schedule an assistant for two or three mornings per week, for a total of up to 10 hours per week. As our enrollment grows, there will be opportunities for significant additional hours.

Our Ideal Candidate:

Our ideal candidate has professional or personal experience working with children with special learning needs, particularly ADHD and autism spectrum disorders. They are interested in how children learn and think, and have likely completed some course work in education, child development, or similar fields. We are looking for a candidate who can balance having fun with learning and flexibility with high expectations.

Minimum Requirements:

A Livescan background check must be completed prior to the first day of work.

A negative TB test is required within the first 30 days of employment.

Current First Aid and CPR Training and Mandated Reporter certificate is preferred. If these certifications are not current, we will support you in completing them.

High school diploma or equivalent required, college-level coursework in child development or a related field is strongly preferred.

Prior experience working with children, especially children with special learning needs in an educational setting is strongly preferred.