Assistant Teachers for Kindergarten, First and Second Grade

Wissahickon Charter School is looking for Assistant Teachers for grades K through 2 for our Fernhill and Awbury Campuses. 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