Position: Early Childhood Teaching Assistant (School Year 2010-2011)

PLEASE NOTE: This position has been filled. You may still submit a resumé for our files for future consideration.

About the School

The AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School (AELPCS) is an independent public charter school open to all three- and four- year olds in the District of Columbia. AELPCS believes that a skilled, caring, enthusiastic instructional staff is the key to our children’s success. We provide teaching assistants with a tremendous opportunity to be part of an innovative, supportive and effective educational community. At AELPCS, we know that instructors of young children can profoundly impact their students’ entire lives and we provide our instructional staff with the support, professional development and materials needed to make this happen.

Position Description

The teaching assistant works with a 3-person instructional team consisting of the lead teacher, a teaching fellow and a teaching assistant. The teaching assistant uses his/her knowledge of the development of young children, the ways in which young children learn and scientifically based practice to support the social, emotional and cognitive development of young children. The teaching assistant works as an integral part of the instructional team to ensure the team:

Supports the establishment of rich and engaging physical learning environments.

  • Helps to create safe, clean, attractive and engaging centers-based classrooms that encourage both exploration and complex play.
  • Works with the teaching team to ensure the classroom contains sufficient supplies and materials for all children.
  • Encourages children’s ownership and contributions to the classroom environment.

Supports the creation of environments and instructional opportunities that meet the needs of diverse learners.

  • Uses information and data from a variety of sources to understand their children’s instructional needs and to improve teaching and learning for young children.
  • Actively supports a diversity of learners in their classrooms.
  • Actively seeks out available resources and support for children who are not making expected progress, providing additional support for students in need of remediation and differentiation in the classroom.
  • Observes children and can describe their varying needs and opportunities.
  • Fosters tolerance and a sense of community in their classrooms, modeling and explicitly teaching acceptance and appreciation of others.

Supports the development of young children’s early literacy, language, math, science, social studies and social emotional development using intentional, playful and engaging instruction.

  • Implements intentional, systematic, playful and engaging activities that support the development of these skills.
  • Makes adequate time for student talk and encourages children’s language use throughout the day.
  • Skillfully motivates students to participate in activities than support the development of their early literacy skills.
  • Implements instructional activities that encourage children’s abilities to analyze, conceptualize, synthesize and evaluate.
  • Intentionally provides modeling and support for children’s expressive and receptive language throughout the school day.

Collaborates with families and communities to support children’s social, emotional and cognitive development.

  • Actively seeks to make connections with their children’s family members and other important people in their children’s lives.
  • Communicates the school’s and individual children’s educational goals to families.
  • Listens to families’ feedback and suggestions regarding their children’s strengths, opportunities, challenges and successes.

Contributes to a community of practice.

  • Plans collaboratively and shares ideas and resources with instructional team.
  • Evaluates instructional effectiveness and modifies instructional approaches based on feedback, reflection and assessment.
  • Actively participates in professional development opportunities provided and seeks out additional professional development.
  • Fulfills the standards of professionalism including appropriate dress, attendance and timeliness.
  • Supports school compliance with National School Lunch Program.

Qualifications

Candidates for the teaching assistant position must have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent and must meet the Federal No Child Left Behind Standards for a highly qualified 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. Candidates must be energetic, reliable, integrity driven and have strong communication skills to ensure effective, positive interactions with their teaching team, staff, parents and children.

Salary

Salary commensurate with education and experience. Compensation includes excellent health benefits.

How to Apply

PLEASE NOTE: This position has been filled. You may still submit a resumé for our files for future consideration.

Please email a cover letter and a resume to hr@appletreeinstitute.org.

Please include "Teaching Assistant" in the Subject Heading.

No phone calls please.