Assistant Teacher - Early Childhood

INSPIRED TEACHING DEMONSTRATION SCHOOL

SEEKS ASSISTANT TEACHERS SY2022-23, Early Childhood

At the Inspired Teaching Demonstration School, a professional learning community of master teachers and teacher residents ensures that a diverse group of students achieve their potential as accomplished learners, thoughtful citizens, and imaginative and inquisitive problem solvers through a demanding, inquiry-based curriculum. With its clear mission and prominent location in Washington, DC, the school serves as a model of instruction for students and training for teachers, with the goal of becoming a leader in changing the way teachers are prepared and supported and students are educated nationwide.

The Inspired Teaching Demonstration School, a Washington DC, Public Charter School, serving students age 3 – 8th grade, is seeking self-motivated, dynamic, and thoughtful individuals with proven progressive, inquiry-based teaching skills to join the faculty.

THE ROLE OF ASSISTANT TEACHERS

Inspired Teaching School's Assistant Teachers possess the beliefs, skills, and accomplishments that lead all students to achieve at high levels. To establish a true professional learning community, all adults in the building are considered educators, as they all interact regularly with students. As such, a firm belief and grounding in the philosophy and values of the school's mission is crucial for every employee.

Candidates will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Willingness to embrace teaching the whole child
• Potential for leadership in and beyond the classroom
• Holistic, asset-based approach to problem solving
• Commitment to reflective practice
• Commitment to the teaching profession
• Fit with the school's organizational culture and mission

In addition to the criteria described above, TAs must be deeply committed to creating a school that not only provides an excellent education for the student, but that creates an open, trusting learning environment for all educators.

Responsibilities include:

TAs are placed in early childhood or elementary classrooms, and may engage in small group instruction, managing groups of children, substituting, providing one-to-one support for a specific student and/or administrative support for teachers. This includes:

• Assisting the Master/Lead Teacher and Teacher Residents in creating a warm and stimulating environment for all children and families in his/her classroom. The tone of the classroom should be multicultural and open to all children including those with special needs.
• Supporting the development of young children's early literacy, language, math, science, social studies and social emotional development using intentional, playful and engaging instruction.
• Planning collaboratively and sharing ideas and resources with the instructional team.
• Supporting the creation of environments and instructional opportunities that meet the needs of diverse learners.
• Encouraging children's ownership and contributions to the classroom environment.
• Actively seeking to make connections with their children's family members and other important people in their children's lives.
• Assisting volunteers, including parents, in the classroom.
• Working with the teaching team to ensure the classroom contains sufficient supplies and materials for all children.
• Serving as the chief source of information and help to any substitutes or guest teacher assigned in the absence of the teacher
• Performing clerical, classroom maintenance, and instructional duties as assigned
• Performing assigned supervision of students during lunch periods, play periods, and on field trips
• Performing assigned non-instructional classroom duties, such as snack time, toileting, and clothing routines
• Demonstrating ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students in school environment and community

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful applicant will demonstrate knowledge and experience in the field of progressive, constructivist education. Candidates must have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent and must meet standards for a highly qualified assistant teacher or paraprofessional.

Therefore, successful candidates will have either:

(1) completed two years of study at an institution of higher education;

(2) obtained an associate's (or higher) degree; or

(3) achieve a score of 461 on the Parapro, the state's formal academic assessment, demonstrating knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and mathematics.

Each staff member serves as a role model for students in how to conduct themselves as citizens and as responsible, intelligent human beings. Each staff member has a legal responsibility to help instill in students the belief in and practice of ethical principles and democratic values.

The Inspired Teaching Demonstration School is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive hiring and encourages applicants from all backgrounds.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL

With its clear mission and prominent location in Washington, DC, the school serves as a model of instruction for students and training for teachers, with the goal of becoming a leader in changing the way teachers are prepared and supported, and students are educated nationwide. At the Inspired Teaching Demonstration School, students learn through an academically challenging, standards-based curriculum that supports and builds the four “I”s: Intellect, Inquiry, Imagination, and Integrity. Within its walls young people learn and achieve at high levels without having to surrender their intellectual curiosity and passion for learning.

The school focuses on developing student potential in four areas: Intellect, Inquiry, Imagination, and Integrity. Students master content in Reading & Literature, Communication, Math, Science, and Social Studies—and have the ability to apply their knowledge to relevant and current situations, problems, and experiences; students develop the skills of a researcher, using their intellectual curiosity to pose and solve problems; students exhibit the skills of divergent thinkers, with the courage to create, the willingness to approach problems with a joyful spirit, and the ability to play; and students develop the skills and dispositions necessary to function as members of a democratic society.

Teachers are held to a high standard of excellence and professionalism. Teachers demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the subjects they teach; draw on an extensive repertoire of authentic and engaging strategies for instruction and assessment, steeped in the knowledge of how children and adolescents learn; contribute to a vibrant and active professional learning community; and forge strong and positive relationships not only with students, but also with community stakeholders, including families.

As a demonstration school, staff works to disseminate our instructional approach through inviting education influencers to visit the school, and disseminating the model outward via preparation of Teaching Residents, conference presentations, and other opportunities to speak in the community.

The school is a place where children, adolescents and adults thrive and find joy in their work.

• The physical space communicates a genuine focus on learners.
• The emotional space requires an approach to academics and discipline that focuses on helping children and adolescents develop compassion, empathy, respect for others, self-discipline, and problem-solving skills.
• The intellectual space of the school asks teachers and students to act as leaders, share opinions and ideas, identify problems and generate solutions, and collaborate and work together as a community so that everyone experiences success.
• The school emphasizes parent and community involvement. Parents play an active and important role in the school - volunteering in classrooms, creating special events for families, supporting student learning, and contributing to the positive climate.

SCHOOL CULTURE

• The school is a place where children and adults thrive and find joy in their work.
• The physical space communicates a genuine focus on children.
• The emotional space requires an approach to discipline and academics that focuses on helping children develop compassion, respect for others, self-discipline, and problem-solving skills.
• The intellectual space of the school asks teachers and students to act as leaders, share opinions and ideas, identify problems and generate solutions, and collaborate and work together as a community so that everyone experiences success.
• The school emphasizes parent and community involvement. Parents play an important role in the school: offering feedback to staff, attending student exhibitions and performances, reviewing student portfolios, and providing volunteer services.

The Inspired Teaching Demonstration School is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive hiring and encourages applicants from all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national original, marital status, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected status. All employment decisions are made solely on the basis of the individual’s qualifications as related to the requirements of the position being filled. The school's Title IX Coordinator is Kate Keplinger (kate.keplinger@inspiredteachingschool.org)