Lower School Teaching Assistant - The Blake School

The Blake School seeks to hire a Lower School Teaching Assistant for the 2024-25 school year.

Blake is particularly interested in candidates who will enrich the diversity of identity, lived experience and thinking that makes our community strong and empowers students to engage across differences.

The hourly rate for this position begins at $19 and increases commensurate with education and experience. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position with working hours when school is in session. The search committee will begin reviewing applications immediately.

Qualifications:

• 4-year degree
• Experience with children ages 4 - 11
• 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
• Adaptability to support one or two classroom teachers—depending on grade level
• Ability to effectively monitor and adjust priorities to meet students’ needs
• Desire to work with high-potential students in a creative, reflective community
• Active listener who honors children’s thoughts, feelings and ideas
• Interest in using the outdoors as a rich teaching environment
• Constructivist educational philosophy
• Adult/Youth CPR, First Aid, AED Certification or the willingness to obtain certification within 90 days of hire
• Additional required trainings/conditions of employment include:
• DHS background study
• Health and safety training
• Child development course
• Presentation of transcripts

Responsibilities:

• Support differentiated instruction to match students’ needs
• Communicate effectively and frequently with members of the team
• Substitute during lead teacher’s absence
• Assist in developing and implementing a progressive, often emergent, curriculum
• Provide supervision and support during recess and before- and after-school programming
• Perform day-to-day duties that support the ongoing classroom operations
• Emphasize the collaborative, creative process of a group experience while also recognizing and supporting individuals’ growth and performance
• Participate in professional development opportunities
• Display student work on bulletin boards

The Blake School is a pre-kindergarten through grade 12, co-educational, nonsectarian, independent day school enrolling 1,366 bright, talented students from nearly 56 Twin Cities-area communities. Founded in 1900, The Blake School has the advantage of 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 a common set of 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 core 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 of these beliefs, The Blake School actively seeks students, families and employees who value and contribute to the fullness of a diverse community within the context of its mission. In doing so, we recognize our responsibility to help make each person's experience a success. EOE