Lead Instructional Aide

Waterford-Country-School; United States; On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Waterford Country School is seeking a full-time Instructional Aide to support classroom activities, assist teachers, and help maintain a therapeutic learning environment.

You will work within CARE/TCI frameworks, coordinate with Education and Boarding staff, and help manage transitions and crises while promoting student safety and learning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred or commensurate experience with children and adolescents.
• Experience in student case management and school-based programming preferred.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Function as Instructional Aide in a designated classroom, or substitute/float as needed.
• Support the teaching staff to provide each student with an educational program reflecting excellence and equality.
• Practice within agency models (CARE, TCI, Health and Wellness) to sustain a therapeutic milieu.
• Maintain effective communication with Education and Boarding staff and agency personnel.
• Use the TCI model to influence interactions and support for students; pass annual written test and semi-annual skills assessment.
• Maintain Medication Administration certification and uphold Health and Wellness standards.
• Oversee transitions and supervise lunch waves; assist in crisis intervention per procedures.

Skills

Initiative

Empathy

Self-Reflection

Growth Mindset

Time Management

Conflict Resolution

De-escalation

Effective Communication

Organizational Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Video Conferencing

Google Classroom

Job description

Competencies:InitiativeEmpathySelf –Reflection & GrowthTime ManagementConflict Resolution & De-escalationEffective CommunicationOrganization SkillsKnowledge of Microsoft Office/Video Conferencing/Google ClassroomBasic Function:This position is responsible to assist supervisors in establishing and maintaining a school environment that is safe, positive and conducive to learning. Support the daily operations of the school program based on fluctuating daily needs. Support the teaching staff by functioning as an instructional aide when needed to assist in the objective to provide each student with a program reflecting educational excellence and equality.This position is full-time at 40 hours per week.Duties and Responsibilities:Function as an Instructional Aide in a designated classroom, as a substitute teacher and/or float from classroom to classroom as needed as assigned to cover staff absences or for longer-term assignment when necessitated by program demands.Practice within agency models (e.g. Children and Residential Experiences (CARE), Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), Health and Wellness), supporting the therapeutic milieu at Waterford Country School for clients, Agency staff, volunteers and stakeholders.Maintain effective communication with all members of the Education and Boarding staff and all other agency personnel.Use the TCI model to influence and guide all interactions and philosophy of support for students.Demonstrate competence of the TCI model by passing a written test annually and physical skills assessment every 6 months.Maintains Medication Administration certification.Uphold and model for our students the agency’s Health and Wellness model.Work with colleagues, students and families to develop and sustain a positive school climate that supports student learning.Collaborate with colleagues to examine student behavioral data and to develop and sustain a professional learning environment to support student learning.Assist in overseeing all transitions of assigned students are appropriately supervised and staffed in ratio.Directly supervise and oversee the assigned daily lunch wave.Take a lead in the crisis intervention and support needed during the school day, responding in accordance with agency procedures.Attend all scheduled Education department staff meetings and trainings as required.Maintain knowledge of and follow Agency policies and procedures as contained in the WCS Personnel Handbook, WCS Procedure Manual, and departmental manuals.Function as a positive role model for all students and staff at the Waterford Country SchoolMaintain an awareness of and sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic differences present among the service population and fellow staff members of WCS, ensuring that cultural needs are respected and supported through the delivery of services and the development and implementation of agency programs and policies in a manner that is free from discrimination and bias relating to race, ethnicity, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, status as a victim of domestic violence or religious beliefs.Perform other appropriate duties and carry out other projects and responsibilities as requested by the Director of Education.Maintain a Connecticut or other home state Driver’s License.No Telework CapabilityNo ability to telework.THIS JOB DESCRIPTION SHOULD NOT BE INTERPRETED AS ALL-INCLUSIVE. IT IS INTENDED TO IDENTIFY THE MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND REQUIREMENTS OF THIS JOB. THE INCUMBENT MAY BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM JOB-RELATED TASKS OTHER THAN THOSE STATED IN THIS DESCRIPTION.Qualifications: A Bachelor’s degree is preferred or commensurate, extensive experience in working with children and adolescents. Experience in student case management and school-based programming is preferred.