2024-25 Teaching Assistant (New Orleans, LA)

at  Collegiate Academies

About this role: We are looking for a teaching assistant to work with children who have moderate to severe cognitive disabilities and autism. A teaching assistant in this role supports rigorous instruction in a largely self-contained setting in the areas of transition, math, and literacy. Scholars who participate in this program generally receive their core instruction in this setting and are meaningfully included in the other parts of the day. Some examples include: lunch, advisory, grade-level morning meetings, weekly celebrations, etc.
About Collegiate Academies: Collegiate Academies prepares all students for lives of unlimited opportunity. Founded in 2008, Collegiate Academies serves over 3,000 students in five public high schools and two postsecondary programs in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. We see the individual greatness of every student who comes through our doors. We serve a dramatically higher proportion of students with special needs, students who are English language learners, and students who are from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Our teams engage in regular observations, weekly coaching meetings and ongoing learning through professional development.

MINDSETS, BELIEFS AND SKILLS:

• Positive attitude and strong work ethic. Ability to constantly find joy in the successes and challenges of our work. Ability to demonstrate that joy towards students, families, and teammates.
• Desire to work at a college-prep high school rebuilding urban education for all learners.
• Having a deep belief in school responsibility is to help all students realize that potential.
• Strong knowledge in the content area of choice, demonstrated through lesson planning, execution, and intervention with all students.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to frequently move equipment weighing up to 50 pounds across campus for various purposes
• Ability to transfer students weighing an average of 120 pounds from wheelchairs to the floor, changing table, or other seating areas with the assistance of another staff member
• Ability to push students weighing an average of 120 pounds in wheelchairs up and down ramps

• Support each scholar during class time and outside of class time to reach his or her academic, social, and behavioral goals.
• Provide individualized instruction and small group instruction as needed throughout the day.
• Hold high expectations for each student; ensure each scholar is challenged to reach ambitious and attainable goals.
• Track progress for scholars on skills outlined in their IEPs and behavior plans. Work with the Lead Teacher to ensure all data is accurately entered and in a timely fashion.
• Support scholars with toileting as needed; this could include helping scholars to button their pants, changing diapers, ensuring they make it to and from the bathroom safely and with washed hands.
• Communicate frequently with parents to support scholar success.
• Demonstrate flexibility and creatively embrace the ambiguities of building an organization focused on constant improvement.
• Perform clerical duties, as required, relating to textbooks, instructional supplies, student reports and records, attendance reports, etc.