Assistant Teachers for Kindergarten, First or Second Grade

Wissahickon Charter School is looking for Assistant Teachers for grades K through 2. The Lower School Assistant Teacher position includes classroom and recess duties. Serving as an Assistant Teacher is an excellent opportunity to improve the academic and social-emotional outcomes of children from across the city of Philadelphia.

Key Responsibilities

Classroom responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Assisting the lead teacher during lessons
• Leading students in small breakout groups guided by the teacher's direction
• Instructing students one-on-one when necessary
• Communicating daily with the lead teacher
• Supporting classroom management and student discipline follow-up
• Substitute teach when the lead teacher is out and substitute teach in the relevant grade-band for specialists (PE, Art, etc) who are out
• Participating in outdoor, all-weather Forest School programming
• Communicating with parents via School Status, Kickboard and other school communication platforms
• Holding students accountable to individual classroom rules and Wissahickon Charter School (WCS) rules
• Completing administrative duties for the classroom as needed (data entry, homework review, filing, making copies)
• Supporting students using the "Talk it Out" method for resolving conflicts
• Understanding and applying Responsive Classroom (RC) techniques when interacting with students and colleagues
• Noticing and conveying uncharacteristic student behavior to teachers, counselors or other administration to ensure students' well being

Recess Duties include but are not limited to:

• Ensuring the welfare and safety of the students at all times
• Engaging students on various levels from group activities and sports to conversations
• Supporting students on a one-on-one basis if necessary
• Being mindful of other community members sharing outdoor space with our students and ensuring our students' safety
• Encouraging environmental exploration if possible
• Interacting with students in a friendly but professional manner
• Holding students accountable to all WCS rules
• Enforcing disciplinary action with consistency when infractions occur
• Supporting students using the "Talk it Out" method and understanding and applying Responsive Classroom (RC) techniques when interacting with students
• Noticing and conveying uncharacteristic student behavior to teachers, counselors or other administration to ensure students' well being

General Expectations include but are not limited to:

• Being on time and present in your role each day
• Conducting yourself in a professional manner at all times
• Reading and responding to email within 48 hours
• Understanding what constitutes appropriate interactions with students and other staff members
• Ensuring adult conversations are held in spaces provided for adults
• Wearing business casual clothing with the understanding that ATs will go outdoors each day in all seasons
• Limiting cell phone and other electronic use to break times or when emergencies arise; always away from students when possible
• Contacting your supervisor and lead teacher when you are unable to come to work via phone and/or email

Qualifications

• High School degree required. Associates or Bachelor's degree preferred. A degree in education is a plus.
• Experience working with students in a similar age range, in an urban school setting preferred
• Appreciation of the unique strengths and challenges of students in grades K-2
• Ability to work with a variety of colleagues who have diverse planning and teaching styles
• Commitment to learning about and consistently implementing WCS curricula and behavior management systems
• Reflective and open to feedback and coaching
• All required FBI and PA clearances
• A commitment to honest and open dialogue about race, equity and bias in our school systems and relationships
• Interest in the mission of Wissahickon Charter School, and a belief that all children can learn

Hours and Compensation

This is a salaried, 10-month position that runs daily from 8 am to 4 pm when school is in session. The position includes fully employer-paid medical, dental and vision benefits for the employee and any spouse or dependents.

How to Apply

To be considered, visit our website at http://wissahickoncharter.org/join-our-team and click on the Apply Now button.

Wissahickon Charter School is committed to hiring a diverse staff and encourages those from traditionally under-represented backgrounds to apply. Wissahickon Charter School does not discriminate in hiring or employment, or in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, or other program

Fully employer-paid medical, dental and vision benefits for the employee and any spouse or dependents.