Educational Assistant

Hamilton County Schools•East Ridge, TN

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Hamilton County Schools, located in Chattanooga, TN, is working to ensure that all students thrive and experience a future without limits. We are committed to excellence for every student and are seeking outstanding leaders, teachers, support staff, and district employees who desire to make a difference in the lives of students. With nearly 75 schools, we are confident that you can find your place in Hamilton County. Learn more about working for Hamilton County Schools at careers.hcde.org and get to know us and our strategic plan, Opportunity 2030. East Ridge Middle School, located in East Ridge, Tennessee, is a vibrant and diverse learning community where students in grades 6–8 grow academically, socially, and personally. ERMS is a place where every student is known, supported, challenged, and empowered to succeed. Our Vision is to develop responsible citizens through academic excellence, strong character, and social growth. At the heart of our school community is The Pioneer Way, which empowers students to be Respectful, Responsible, Resilient, and Ready. These four commitments guide how our students learn, interact with others, respond to challenges, and contribute to our school community while strengthening a culture of belonging and high expectations. ERMS serves a diverse student population in grades 6–8. Our student population is approximately 56.8% Hispanic/Latino, 16.7% Black/African American, 15.7% White, 10.2% multiracial, and 0.6% Asian. Diversity is our superpower. The cultures, languages, experiences, and backgrounds represented across our campus are among our greatest strengths, and we remain deeply committed to ensuring equity, access, high expectations, and opportunity for every learner. Our academic work is centered on Accelerate & Elevate, with a continued focus on strengthening Tier I instruction, creating a Warm Demander culture, and improving student attendance and engagement. Through the Academic Press and Personalization framework, students engage in grade-level curriculum, complex tasks, academic discourse, collaboration, and purposeful learning experiences designed to increase achievement and ownership of learning. Aligned with Hamilton County Schools' Portrait of a Graduate, ERMS prepares students to become academically thriving, solutions-oriented, effective communicators, culturally aware community members, and resilient learners. Whether in the classroom, through athletics and the arts, within our House System, or through service, leadership, and extracurricular opportunities, students learn to persevere through challenges, communicate effectively, collaborate with others, and contribute positively to their community. We are seeking staff members who believe deeply in the potential of every student and who build strong relationships with students, families, colleagues, and the community. You will be a great fit at East Ridge Middle School if you live The Pioneer Way, hold high expectations for all learners, collaborate with others, embrace innovative and engaging instructional practices, value cultural and linguistic diversity, work as a team, and believe every student can learn and grow. At East Ridge Middle School, we are more than a school—we are a family of Pioneers committed to being Respectful, Responsible, Resilient, and Ready while accelerating learning, elevating opportunities, strengthening belonging, and paving the way for brighter futures. Every day is a Great Day East of the Ridge! Position Focus: Full-Time General Education Assistant (Grades 6–8) The purpose of this position is to provide teaching assistance under the direction of a licensed teacher in classrooms or as otherwise needed. The position will provide one-on-one, small-group, and classroom support across content areas, with a particular focus on mathematics, while also supporting positive student behavior and engagement. We are looking for someone who can build strong relationships with students, maintain high expectations, and collaborate effectively with teachers and staff. The ideal candidate is patient, dependable, flexible, and committed to helping every student succeed. Every day is a Great Day East of the Ridge!

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required
Basic technology skills required
General office/clerical experience
Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
Must possess one of the following before reporting to work: (1) 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours; (2) An Associate’s degree or higher; (3) passing score on PRAXIS for Parapro Exam.
Ability to learn and implement a variety of teaching strategies.
Demonstrate proficient verbal and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience working with children preferred.
Fluency in Spanish required for educational assistant in ESOL program.

Responsibilities

Assists teachers in classroom or other educational settings; oversees, monitors, or conducts classes during the temporary absence of teachers; assists teachers in setting up and conducting various class activities and projects; works with and assists students during class activities and projects; prepares instructional materials for classroom use; copies materials for use by teachers; sets up and assists with classroom technology; assists in administering and grading tests; assists in evaluating student performance and skill levels; creates bulletin boards, displays, or wall decorations; and assists with cleanup activities.
Provides tutoring or one-on-one assistance to students in basic educational skills; assists students with word study, spelling, sentence writing, reading, math, science, physical education, or other areas; utilizes instructional programs; assists with development of lesson plans.
Monitors students in cafeteria, auditorium, halls, bus zones, or other common areas; organizes groups of students upon arrival/departure; seats students in appropriate areas; assists in cleaning tables or spills; chaperones students on field trips occurring during the regular school day only.
Monitors behavior/activities of students and initiates disciplinary action per prescribed policies under the teacher’s direction.
Follows established procedures for ensuring students are safe.
Performs clerical tasks in support of teaching activities, office operations, and/or other school functions.
Communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, school officials, teachers, students, parents, vendors, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
Attends staff meetings, parent meetings, IEP-Team meetings, or other meetings as required.
Follows established procedures for ensuring assigned areas are safe.
Works collaboratively with supervisor, administrators, employees, students, and other stakeholders.
Attends work regularly and arrives to work in a timely fashion.
Maintains confidentiality.
Adheres to the Teacher Code of Ethics as defined by Tennessee Law.
Provides assistance to other employees or departments as needed.
Performs other duties as assigned.