Teacher Assistant (Academy Grand)

Position Title: Teacher Assistant

Department: UCAN Academy and High School

Reports to: Principal

About the Program:

UCAN Academy (EDU): Comprised of two campuses in the Humboldt Park and Auburn-Gresham communities, the UCAN Academy is an innovative kindergarten - 12th grade, year-round therapeutic day school. Collectively, the multi-accredited schools make up the one of the largest and most recognized therapeutic day school operations in Chicago. Students come from diverse and distinct backgrounds and have experienced difficulties in public or private school settings. Each youth has a unique set of needs that are met through the development and monitoring of their Individualized Education Plan. They are enrolled from Chicago Public Schools and several suburban districts, and many have become discouraged about learning. Our goal is to help them to see schooling in a positive light and to reach their highest potential. Our small class sizes of 10 students with a 5:1 student to staff ratio are geared to small teaching sessions and equipped to meet students' individual learning needs.

Program Summary:

The Teacher's Assistant works with the Teacher in the preparation and implementation of classroom activities. Facilitates healing through Trauma Informed services and Positive Youth Development by utilizing UCAN’s Clinical Philosophy and Positive Youth Development.

Essential Responsibilities:Service Delivery

• Works in conjunction with the teacher in the care and education of a group of students.
• Implements specific educational activities for students as directed by the teacher.
• Establishes learning objectives and uses preplanning and classroom teaching to accomplish those objectives.
• Involves all students by utilizing a variety of educational methods to meet students’ individual learning styles.
• Explains directions and models desired student performance.
• Monitors student progress and adjusts instruction based on that progress.
• Establishes closure by summarizing content and fits into context what has been taught.
• Supervises and monitors educational activities both inside and outside the classroom.
• Supervises students in the absence of teacher and performs specific activities pre-determined by the teacher.
• Assists teacher in observing and evaluating the student’s educational progress.

Outreach and Client Engagement

• Promotes orderly behavior throughout the school and clearly defines expected student behavior by encouraging positive behavior and controlling negative behavior.
• Uses appropriate therapeutic methods to promote the social and emotional growth of the students.
• Remains calm at all times and uses appropriate language with students and coworkers.
• Maintains orderly behavior during class.
• Maintains orderly behavior during class transitions and meal breaks.
• Is able to contain children using Therapeutic Crisis Intervention.
• Utilizes Crisis Intervention staff appropriately.
• Assists in maintaining an environment for students that is safe, pleasant and directed towards enhancing the students/ growth and educational development.
• Establishes rapport with students and parents.
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with coworkers and agency personnel.
• Works effectively with all members of the staff.
• Actively listens to others and their points of view.
• Makes a minimum of one phone call per month to each parent.
• Keeps parents informed about their child’s progress and areas for improvement.
• Builds the relationship between the school and parents

Quality and Accountability

• Maintains records and reports and performs other routine administrative duties as required.
• Prepares a documented lesson plan and emergency lesson plan for each school day.
• Keeps appropriate individual records, attendance records, and student assessments as designated.
• Produces an IEP annual report for each student in a timely manner and in a format consistent with school requirements.
• Maintains a parent log and in a format consistent with school requirements.
• Completes student report cards in a timely manner and in a format consistent with school requirements

Professionalism and Work Conduct

• Behaves with integrity, demonstrates high ethical standards, and displays a positive image of.
• Acts in a professional manner at all times and maintains appropriate boundaries with clients.
• Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitments to others.
• Reports to work, meetings, training, and job related activities prepared and as scheduled.
• Demonstrates openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and coworkers.
• Responds to clients and their families, UCAN staff, IDCFS, service providers and other stakeholders in a timely manner and ensures follow up to adequately address their need.
• Performs other related tasks as required or assigned.

Education/Job Experience/Certification:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• BSW or BS/BA in Education preferred.
• Type 39 Certification (Paraprofessional) preferred.
• Three (3) to five (5) years of classroom experience preferred.

Special Knowledge and Qualifications:

• TCI Training.
• Is open and respectful of cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and is willing and competent to work with a diverse client population.
• Has an understanding of trauma-informed practice.
• Has an understanding of positive Youth Development.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Working knowledge of the child welfare system.