Teaching Assistant and Satellite Assistant, K-5 Canada Dr

JAMES IRWIN CHARTER SCHOOL•Colorado Springs, CO

8d•Onsite

About The Position

At James Irwin, we believe that ALL students can learn and want to learn. We are committed to supporting staff and students to reach their full potential. We see every child as an individual of potential and promise, and in helping them reach their goals, we know we will need to work hard to do what is best for students rather than what is convenient for the adults. We love doing this great work together! JAMES IRWIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Grades K-5) FULL-TIME—INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT OR SATELLITE ASSISTANT. The Instructional Assistant position is what we call our "Teacher-in-Training position." The Satellite Assistant primarily supports one grade level in classroom activities and materials preparation. When there is an opening in an Instructional Assistant position, we look first to hire from our Satellite Assistants. Instructional Assistants and Satellite Assistants receive the same extensive training and coaching that the classroom teachers do, and this gives them the opportunity to "have a foot in the door" for being promoted to classroom teachers as openings become available. This training has drawn a number of very talented staff to start in this role (Instructional Assistant / Satellite Assistant) which gives them valuable apprenticeship experience in our rigorous curricula, methodology, and school culture. We have a definite preference for promoting from within: most of our classroom teachers started their tenure at JIES as an Instructional Assistant / Satellite Assistant. We find that this "apprenticeship" is vital in preparing staff who are new to our system, new to our "deep implementation" of Direct Instruction methodology, and new to our curricula. We have visitors regularly coming to JIES to see how our school achieves such a high level of success for both students and staff. Because we have a broad demographic of students, our high academic achievement data is worth noting. Subsequently, we want to have staff that have a "mission calling" to working with our wide range of students.

Requirements

Must have a "mission calling" to working with a wide range of students.
Teacher-in-Training/Instructional Assistants who do not have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4-year college or university are paid $17.00/hour (subject to possible increase).
Teacher-in-Training/Instructional Assistants who have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4-year college or university (not in elementary education), but have NOT taken/passed the PRAXIS test in Elementary Education (5205 and 5901), are paid $17.00/hour (subject to possible increase).
Teacher-in-Training/Instructional Assistants who do NOT have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4-year college or university, but have taken and passed the PRAXIS test in Elementary Education (5205 and 5901), are paid $18.00/hour (subject to possible increase).
If they have a bachelor’s degree and a PRAXIS test successfully completed in Elementary Education (5205 and 5901), they are paid $18.00/hour (subject to possible increase).

Nice To Haves

Preference for promoting from within; most classroom teachers started as an Instructional Assistant / Satellite Assistant.
Apprenticeship is vital in preparing staff new to the system, new to Direct Instruction methodology, and new to the curricula.

Responsibilities

Works closely with the classroom teacher.
May teach a small reading and/or math group daily when trained and qualified.
Teaching of spelling and/or math facts is also possible.
Primarily supports one grade level in classroom activities and materials preparation.