Teacher Assistant

For Water Street Mission to fulfill our mission and purpose, it is critical for all staff to participate in the development and maintenance of a healthy Christian Community. By living out our faith with one another and creating a space where our guests are invited to experience that community with us, we participate in lives being restored. Even as some positions have minimal direct contact with guests, each staff member has an essential role in forming and maintaining Christian community. The love of Christ, evidenced in our Water Street community, is the real impetus for change with our guests. 

Summary: Responsible for assisting in the classroom, during breaks and transitions, and wherever needed in the educational mission of Wonder Academy. This is a school year position (10 months per year)  

FLSA: Non-exempt; Full-time  

All Water Street Mission staff must be: 

• Willing to sign the Water Street Mission Statement of Faith 

• A current and active member and/or regular attendee of a local church 

• Able to fully support the Water Street Mission core values and ministry philosophy 

Essential Functions: 

Culture and Values 

• Share the Good News of Jesus Christ in words and actions with people we serve, communicating hope and dignity 

• Walk alongside fellow WSM staff in Christian community as we journey toward maturity 

• Encourage restoration in the lives of guests, recognizing we are each restored by God to become restorers 

• Work in full coordination with other WSM staff at all times to identify, report and respond appropriately to any potential threats to the safety and wellbeing of guests 

• Embody, encourage and cultivate WSM culture, purpose, mission and values in words and actions 

Role Specific Responsibilities 

• Assists teachers in implementing approved lesson plans and programs that support children's spiritual, academic, social, physical, creative, and emotional development. 

• Helps maintain a safe, respectful, clean, and organized classroom environment that encourages learning for young children. 

• Supervises and assists children during daily activities such as lunch, recess, transitions, field trips, and other program events. 

• Works collaboratively with Wonder Academy/WSM staff to support school programs and ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students. 

• Communicates any concerns to the appropriate supervisor and supports effective communication within the school team. 

• Encourages and models Christ-centered relationships and shares the gospel with children and families as opportunities arise. 

• Work in full coordination with staff to identify, report and respond appropriately to any potential threats to the safety and wellbeing of students.  

Qualifications:   

Education: High School Diploma or GED. 

Experience: Experience and/or training working with children. Basic computer skills preferred. 

Language and Communication Skills: Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Practices age appropriate communication and active listening  

Reports To: Wonder Academy Director 

Key Internal Relationships:  Wonder Academy and Next Gen Ministries 

Physical Demands:   

Occasionally = 1%-33%; Frequently = 34%-66%; Continuously = 67%-100% 

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.  

Stand, walk, or sit – Continuously   

Use of fine motor skills – Continuously   

Sitting for extended periods of time using computer – Continuously  

Bend, squat, kneel, and reach – Occasionally 

Lift and/or move up to 50 pounds – Occasionally   

Christian Life:   

Water Street Mission is a privately funded 501(c) 3 non-profit, evangelical Christian ministry. Our designated purpose is religious, and we are a Christ-centered ministry that is dedicated to sharing the Gospel and helping the homeless and impoverished.  We consider every position to be essential in the fulfillment of our ministry and purpose statement.  As such, each employee must have a relationship with Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord.  All employees must: 

• Be able and willing to share the Gospel and participate in the ministry activities of Water Street Mission. 

• Subscribe to the Water Street Mission Statement of Faith and Qualifications of Employment upon hire and continuously while employed. 

• Adhere to the Water Street Mission Employee Handbook.