Lower School Specialist Teaching Assistant

The Blake School; Hopkins (MN); On-site; Part time

Job summary

The Blake School is seeking a Specialist Teaching Assistant for the 2025-26 school year to support grades 2-5 in specialist classes. This part-time role requires experience with elementary students, effective communication, and a collaborative approach to enhance students' learning experiences in a dynamic academic environment.

Qualifications

• Background in visual/performing arts preferred.
• Ability to work with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Desire to engage with high-potential students.

Responsibilities

• Supporting specialist classrooms including art and music.
• Supervising recess when regular staff are absent.
• Communicating effectively with the arts department and administrative team.

Skills

Experience with students age 7-11

Collaborative approach to teaching

Effective communication skills

Job description

Lower School Specialist Teaching Assistant

The Blake School seeks to hire a Specialist Teaching Assistant for the 2025-26 school year. This position will work in Blake’s Upper Elementary, supporting students in grades 2-5 in specialist area classes.

The rate for this position begins at $21/hour and increases commensurate with education and experience. This is a part-time, non-benefits-eligible position. The hiring team will begin reviewing applications immediately.

Experience and Skills:

• Experience with students age 7-11
• Background in visual/performing arts preferred
• Collaborative, creative, and joyful approach to teaching and learning
• Knowledge of children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical developmental stages
• Ability to work with children, families, and colleagues with diverse backgrounds and experiences
• Effective written and oral communication skills to engage across constituent groups
• Desire to work with high-potential students in a creative, reflective community
• Active listener who honors children’s thoughts, feelings, and ideas
• Ability to support teachers and projects across multiple subject areas

Responsibilities include:

• Communicating effectively and frequently with members of the arts department and administrative team
• Performing day-to-day duties that support specialist classrooms, including art, engineering and programming, music, P.E., and theater
• Supervising recess periods when regularly scheduled staff are absent
• Emphasizing the collaborative, creative process of a group experience while also recognizing and supporting individual growth and performance
• Participating in professional development opportunities
• Supporting specialist projects throughout the school year, such as student musical and theater performances

The Blake School is a pre-kindergarten through grade 12, co-educational, nonsectarian, independent day school enrolling 1,316 bright, talented students from nearly 56 Twin Cities-area communities. Founded in 1900, Blake has facilities and campuses designed for specific developmental ages. Blake's mission is to engage students with a dynamic, academically challenging education in a diverse and supportive community committed to pluralism and shared values. Students pursue an integrated program of academic, artistic, and athletic activities, preparing for college, lifelong learning, and purposeful lives as community and global citizens.

The school community is also guided by its Commitment to Pluralism and values.

The Blake School believes that a diverse society enriches all individuals and communities. Diversity of race, ethnicity, national origin, geography, religion, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, age, physical ability, and marital, parental, or economic status forms the fabric of our society. As a result, Blake actively seeks students, families, and employees who value and contribute to the fullness of a diverse community within the context of its mission. We recognize our responsibility to help make each person's experience a success. EOE

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