Job Description

Middle School Teaching Assistant , Brooklyn, New York 
In-Person Work Required
This is a non-exempt position and is eligible for overtime 

WHO WE ARE

Explore Schools is a network of public charter schools providing 2,000 students in Brooklyn with the outstanding education they deserve. Our goal is to provide students with curriculum and instruction that is both standards-aligned and culturally responsive. Our approach is designed to provide the conditions that nurture students as critical thinkers and natural problem-solvers. As an organization we are committed to engaging in work that disrupts and roots out systems and structures that perpetuate white supremacy. We intentionally seek to build and maintain a diverse and talented team that reflects the backgrounds and experiences of our students and creates an inclusive environment for all employees.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

We believe that all children can learn when immersed in a rich environment full of high expectations, rigorous academics, and caring, committed adults. We believe equity and excellence are not mutually exclusive—we can meet the needs of all students in our schools, while actively engaging parents and driving toward excellent academic results. We believe it is both our privilege and responsibility to help close the opportunity gap in the Brooklyn community.

WHO YOU ARE 
Explore Schools is seeking passionate and dedicated educators to join our faculty. You have some experience working with children but may have limited or no experience leading a classroom. You are interested in contributing to an environment where you can prioritize student engagement, critical thinking, and relationship building in the classroom. The most successful teachers in our network love challenges, collaboration, and building meaningful relationships with all students. Additionally, you possess the following the qualities: 

• Dedicated to working in communities that have historically been underserved and under-resourced 

• Committed to thoughtfully engaging in identity work necessary to take a culturally responsive approach to pedagogy and relationship-building with students and colleagues 

• Perseverance: you possess an exceptional level of patience and focus to overcome challenges and achieve results 

• Prior experience working with children 

• Patience and focus to overcome challenges and achieve results 

• Exceptional communication skills and organized with strong attention to detail 

• Skilled at project managing 

• Bachelor’s degree, strongly preferred 

• New York State Teaching or Teaching Assistant Certification, preferred 

WHAT YOU’LL DO 
Teaching Assistants provide support to our teachers and staff members by fostering a culture of academic rigor and achievement. Primarily, the Teaching Assistant will support a 12:1:1 classroom teacher in academic and student behavior management. You will be expected to manage the following daily: 

• Work with small groups of students to assist in reaching IEP goals 

• Teach, review, and reinforce academic content 

• Keep accurate & organized records of student information 

• Assist in classroom set-up and logistics – prepping student materials or manipulatives, classroom beautification and maintenance, etc. 

• Support in student behavioral management and de-escalating challenging student behaviors 

• Attend and actively participate in all meetings including PLCs, grade level meetings, and PD sessions 

• Collaborate with families and staff to support student learning 

• Ensure the safety of students at all times 

• Supervise students in and out of classroom as needed - this may include but is not limited to - moving students to proper locations during fire drills, lunch and recess duty, enrichment activities/classes, etc. 

• Administrative, task-based support for teachers and operations staff 

• Additional responsibilities to meet the needs of our students 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS 

Explore Schools staff members receive a competitive salary, paid time off including network shutdown days, considerable matching of retirement contributions, and more.

• The salary range for incoming Teaching Assistants is $45,000 to $55,000. This is our good faith range at the time of posting. 

• Incoming salaries are determined based on experience and internal equity.

• Because we value staff members staying in their roles over time, we do not currently cap salary ranges and this is the range for incoming staff members only.

• This is base salary and does not include additional compensation opportunities, such as signing bonuses, additional time worked pay, stipends, leadership opportunities, and additional pay for specialized certifications and advanced degrees.

Additionally, you can expect: 

• A comprehensive benefits plan, covering up to 95% of the cost for employees and their families. Other benefits include dental and vision plans, employer paid disability and life insurance, parental leave benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time and paid holidays, professional development, continuing education scholarships, referral bonuses, employee assistance program (EAP), childcare assistance, a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching, and more! 

• Flexible and reflective leadership: dedicated to staff development, team cohesion, and shared responsibility for decision-making, development, and team-wide priorities

• Driven and passionate colleagues who contribute to a professional and collaborative work environment

• Opportunities to sit on various committees and participate in initiatives central to key organizational decisions and strategic planning

• Our school-based staff also receive:

• Professional development: weekly PD, year-round retreats and trainings, and ongoing coaching by professionals

• Continued education support: staff are eligible to receive scholarship funds towards qualifying certification costs or higher education tuition

• A flexible work environment with the ability to choose your work location during non-student hours 1-3 days a week when possible, all within a structured 45-hour work week. 

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Explore Schools is a network of 8 charter schools located in Canarsie, Crown Heights, and Flatbush communities of Brooklyn, NY. Our schools are currently operating fully in-person. For this position:

• In-person work is required.

• This is a non-exempt position and is eligible for overtime. 

• The standard work week is 45 hours, though at times you may work more. For non-exempt roles, employees are eligible for overtime for any work over 40 hours. 

• This role requires that you be able to stand for at least 5 hours a day, take multiple trips up and down the stairs in a day, and move quickly in an emergency.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

As discussed in our Who We Are section, Explore Schools is an equal opportunity employer. It is important to us that all staff members have a place of employment that is free of discrimination of all kinds and where staff can bring their authentic selves to work. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran, or military status. If any employee or applicant believes they have been discriminated against, they should let Tiffany Williams know immediately.

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