Teaching Assistant - After School Program (portland)

LearningWorks•Portland, ME

About The Position

LearningWorks AfterSchool serves academically low-performing students in grades Pre-K through 5th in 11 elementary schools in Southern Maine. Students participate in hands-on engineering design challenges that embed literacy, math, and social emotional learning, to build key skills for school success: academic confidence, taking initiative, problem-solving, communication, and perseverance. Eligible students are identified collaboratively by LearningWorks Afterschool Directors, Site Coordinators, and school staff. LearningWorks Afterschool is funded primarily through 21st Century Community Learning Center grants, and is offered in partnership with local school departments. The Teaching Assistant will be responsible for assisting the Teachers and Site Coordinator in implementing a 4-days program focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) curriculum and enrichment activities (health/wellness, cultural, social-emotional learning). Outside of live program time, additional time is allotted to attend key pre-program planning and staff meetings, and to participate in professional development. This is a part-time, fixed term school year position.

Requirements

State of Maine Ed Tech Certification, or demonstrated experience and ability
Associates, BA or BS degree in Education or related field preferred
Experience working with youth, elementary-aged youth preferred
Enthusiasm for learning and a passion for inspiring the same in children
Work with diverse communities and low-performing populations is preferred. For certain sites, experience working with English Language Learners is preferred.
Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills
Experience and demonstrated understanding of and ability to use various technology including but not limited to : Microsoft Outlook, Google Drive Suite, Zoom
Flexibility, thoughtfulness, and the ability to creatively problem solve
Growth mindset and a willingness to learn and apply innovative learning platforms and approaches
Demonstrated ability to collaborate in a team setting

Responsibilities

Collaborate with a team to support planning of remote or in-person STEAM curriculum and enrichment activities linked to students' prior knowledge, interests, experiences, and in alignment with school-day curriculum.
Support instruction with guidance from LW Site Directors, and follow all safety and health guidelines.
Engage students in a physically and emotionally safe, structured, organized learning environment.
Build positive relationships with students and actively support, model, encourage, and inspire them in healthy lifestyle choices (personal, social and academic).
Assist with student behavior challenges as needed.
Support and reinforce consistent, clear, and positive expectations for learning and behavior that complement those of the elementary school.
Utilize best practices to meet grant goals and reflect the program mission.
Participate in weekly team meetings to communicate program delivery, needs, reflection, and goals for improvement.
Participate in required professional development training.
Monitor the LearningWorks email account and other communication platforms daily, and communicate and respond in a timely manner with Directors, Coordinators, and teams.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Site Coordinator or Directors.
Conduct oneself in a professional manner at all times, in accordance with program expectations, online safety, and learning guidelines.