Instructional Assistant - 2024-2025 School Year

February 7, 2023 | by mjones

Job Description

OUR MISSION: New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School (“Sci High”) is an open-admission public charter school that prepares all students for college admissions and successful careers. Sci High provides a rigorous high school curriculum with an emphasis in science and in a supportive environment of learning and respect that prepares students to make informed choices about post-secondary pursuits.

POSITION OVERVIEW: Sci High is currently seeking an experienced and dedicated Special Education Instructional Assistant. All staff at Sci High work to ensure the academic and social growth of students through rigorous academic instruction, positive relationships with students, and contributions to the Sci High school community. We are committed to a full-inclusion Special Education model, and our Special Education Instructional Assistants are critical to ensuring the success of students with disabilities in the general education classroom. The Special Education Instructional Assistants work collaboratively with Diverse Learners staff and general education teachers to support students' academic and social learning as described and outlined in their IEPs.

QUALIFICATIONS: An ideal candidate would have the following experiences and qualifications:

• Experience as a paraprofessional in an inclusion setting;
• Experience collaborating with both Special Education and General Education teachers;
• Excellent skills in communicating with families and advocating for students;
• Skilled in working with a diverse community;
• Candidates should also have a commitment to the following beliefs:
• ALL students can learn and prepare themselves for college admissions and success as productive members of society;
• ALL stakeholders -- staff, teachers, students, and parents -- must agree that quality education is their shared responsibility;
• ALL stakeholders must be committed to high-quality standards and expectations of themselves and each other;
• Learning is a process of continuous improvement for ALL stakeholders;
• Effective collaboration and communication are essential to the success of our school;
• Diversity enriches our school community;
• A safe, supportive learning environment is critical to our students' achievement.

REQUIREMENTS OF WORK: As a member of the Diverse Learners Team, you are expected to:

Provide Instructional Support

• Instructional Assistants assist students with disabilities under the direction of a teacher.
• Assists students in achieving academic success
• They will work in an inclusionary setting (i.e., the least restrictive environment).
• The Instructional Assistant assists the teacher in general daily classroom activities, helps students with disabilities, and cares for their physical and emotional health and safety, affirming their abilities and striving to promote dignity in all relationships.
• Accepting the belief that the inclusive setting is ultimately the most positive way to instruct our students, plan and facilitate accommodations within that setting;
• Work with the general education teacher to negotiate the delivery of instruction to the entire group of students;
• Meet with general education and Special Education teachers on a regular basis to discuss texts, assignments, tests, and projects well ahead of time for implementation within the classroom;
• Collaborate on grades and behavior expectations for the identified students;
• Collaborate with classroom co-teachers to plan and meet small-group testing needs of assigned students, including providing modified tests in appropriate formats;
• Any and all other duties as may be assigned per the Directors of Diverse Learners

Maximize Access

• Collaborate with the general education teacher on assignments, tests, and projects to allow students separate access points to classroom material while maintaining the rigor and goals for completion of work;
• Keep access points as invisible as possible to preserve the dignity of students and the integrity of the inclusive classroom.

Ensure Compliance

• Ensure that documentation is maintained in compliance with district policy and state and federal law.

Stay Informed

• Keep abreast of new instructional and behavioral methods and techniques;
• Have thorough knowledge of student educational programs and behavior management guidelines.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Our hiring process is a rigorous one and typically includes the following steps:

• Initial phone interview
• Interview with current faculty members
• Interview with administrator
• Reference and background check

Job Type: Full-time