Autism Classroom Teacher Assistant - Uncommon Schools North Star Academy

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing, public charter schools providing an outstanding K-12 education in historically under-resourced communities. We have proudly built schools that reflect our student population, with more than 60% of our teachers and staff across our network identifying as a person of color. Uncommon currently manages 53 schools serving more than 20,000 students in five cities: Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark and Rochester. We are proud that Uncommon graduates persist in and graduate from college at five times the rate of their peers nationally. We achieve this by offering strong academic, co-curricular, and social-emotional learning that prepares students for success in college and beyond.

POSITION

The Teacher Assistant position provides a unique opportunity for talented individuals with experience supporting Autistic Students in specialized settings to explore the field of education and to gain hands-on practice on supporting the mission critical work of teachers.  Teacher Assistants will have an opportunity to observe best practices in classroom instruction and education reform from experienced teachers and school leaders at a leading charter management organization. Teacher Assistants will support teachers alongside a BCBA with small group instruction, discrete trial training, implementation of token boards, PECs, alternative forms of communication, behavioral support aligned to individual behavior intervention plans,  grading, data analysis, and administrative support.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist teachers with instruction, behavior management, discrete trials, graphing data and other classroom responsibilities;
• Teach small groups of students;
• Observe Master Teachers in order to improve instructional techniques and classroom management;
• Provide administrative support including but not limited to copies, arrival duty, dismissal duty, organizing classroom materials, supporting in the preparation of classroom materials, etc.

As appropriate, perform all duties expected of staff, including but not limited to:

• Participating in grade-level activities, and school-wide functions, events, and trips;
• Providing consistent rewards and/or consequences for student behavior as outlined by individualized behavior intervention plans with the support of a BCBA;
• Supervising students during transitions, breakfast, lunch and afterschool;  
• Communicating effectively with students, families, and colleagues;
• Participating in an annual three-week staff orientation and training as well Friday professional development sessions.

• Drive to improve the minds and lives of students in and out of the classroom
• Evidence of self-motivation, willingness to be a team player, and has a strong sense of personal responsibility;
• Ideal candidates are hard-working, urgent, energetic, and are willing to learn and adapt;
• Is extremely reflective and constantly wants to improve;
• is flexible and enjoys dealing with unpredictability;
• Strong time management skills; ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and meet tight deadlines;
• A strong candidate will possess strong organizational skills, communication skills (particularly with children), and problem solving skills;
• Interest in performing a critical support role and the ability to excel in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, results-oriented environment;
• Prior experience working in schools and/or urban communities is preferred but not required;
• Prior experience working in special class settings with Autistic students
• Relentless commitment to our mission of educating urban students. Belief in and alignment with Uncommon’s core beliefs and educational philosophy is non-negotiable;
• Bachelor’s degree is preferred, but not required.  RBT training is preferred. A background in education is not required, though candidates should show a demonstrated passion for working with K-12 students.

Our people are what makes us Uncommon.  We believe our compensation philosophy and benefits should reflect our values—equity, transparency, and clarity—to enhance our ability to attract and retain talent and reward their expertise.  Our staff receive best-in-class training, coaching, and support to develop and operate mission-driven schools that provide a high-quality education to our students and families.

Compensation for this position: The compensation for this role based in Newark is $47,000. 

Other Benefits:

• Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time and school breaks (spring, winter, and summer) + additional sustainability half days throughout the school year
• Extensive, best-in-class training and development  
• Choice of 3 comprehensive health insurance plans
• Pre-tax flexible spending and health saving accounts
• Financial planning & wellness
  • New Jersey Pension program
  • 529 college savings program
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness application assistance
  • Financial  planning tools and assistance
• Dependent Care FSA, back up childcare and daycare discounts
• Paid leave of absence 
  • Fully paid parental leave
  • Fully paid medical leave
  • Additional paid Short Term and Long Term Disability insurance 
• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits

Uncommon believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building an exceptional team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. We also strive to ensure an inclusive community by creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students. As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email recruitment@uncommonschools.org.