Paraeducator/Teacher Assistant

Environmental Charter Schools is hiring a Paraeducator/Teacher Assistant in Redondo Beach, CA, to support low-income students of color in their educational journey. The role involves assisting teachers, facilitating classes, and ensuring a conducive learning environment for diverse student populations, including special education and English language learners. Candidates should be passionate about collaborative, inclusive education and committed to improving student outcomes.
About ECS

The mission of the Environmental Charter Schools (ECS) is to reimagine public education in low-income communities of color to prepare conscious, critical thinkers who are equipped to graduate from college and create a more equitable and sustainable world. Environmental Charter Schools (ECS) is a non-profit charter management organization with a network of four free public schools in South Los Angeles. Environmental Charter Schools create and refine engaging, project-based, environmentally-themed, arts-integrated, social-justice driven, interdisciplinary curricula and assessments.

Since its inception in 2000, ECS has been providing students with a unique learning experience that utilizes environmental service learning to inspire our students to find authentic meaning in their studies. ECS now proudly serves over 1,300 students at two middle schools (Gardena and Inglewood) and two high schools (Lawndale and Gardena). ECS’ student achievement outcomes include: ECHS Lawndale ranks in the top 2% of public high schools in U.S. News & World Report, 100% of students graduate high school with the coursework necessary for admission to a four-year college or university, and 97% of students are admitted into a four-year college. Most of our students will be the first in their family to graduate from college.

The Opportunity

Environmental Charter Schools is seeking a Paraeducator who is passionate about preparing low-income students of color for college success. ECS Paraeducators serve as members of the Special Education, English Language Development, and Student Culture teams. They work collaboratively with site-based coordinators and deans to ensure all ECS students can access and participate in our education program. We are seeking a Paraeducator who is enthusiastic about working in a collaborative and inclusive educational environment to improve student learning. This is an instructional role at an organization attentive to the needs of the whole child. ECS Paraeducators serve students in all of our targeted populations (i.e., special education, foster youth, English language learners, designated low income, African American, etc).

Essential Functions

Assists certificated personnel in preparation for, carrying out of and following up on instruction to individual or small groups of students as assigned; may also assist with instructional materials, educational technology, and the maintenance of student records.

Assists with facilitation of classes or groups to ensure a suitable learning environment, in classrooms, during educational events and on school grounds.

May be assigned limited responsibilities to teach specific subject matter, in which the Paraeducator has the skills or training, to a group of students, under the supervision of certificated personnel.

Responsibilities
• Maintain high expectations for all students and a deep belief that all students can learn.
• Assists teachers in implementing lessons or portions of lessons, checks accuracy of work, and presents assignments as directed by certificated staff.
• Adjusts or rephrases portions of text and classroom instructions to meet the needs of students.
• Supports teachers in documenting routine records (i.e, attendance, grades, test scores, etc).
• Assists teachers with presentation of materials and methods to reinforce lessons to students.
• Assist teachers with the implementation of students’ Individualized Education Plans (IEP)’s and English learner needs; (e.g., accommodations, monitoring progress, behavior intervention implementation, tutoring, etc).
• Assists teachers in maintaining an environment conducive for learning.
• Under direction of certificated staff, participates in data collection.
• Work with individual students or small groups of students to reinforce learning of materials and/or skills introduced and outlined by certificated staff.
• Supervises and proctors assessments/testing as assigned by certificated staff.
• Provide supervision for students inside and outside the classroom (e.g. lunch, recess, field trips)
• When requested, serves as a resource person to various teams (e.g. SST, IEP, Title 1, ELD, 504).
• Attend necessary training sessions associated with student needs (e.g. ELD, IEP, medical, behavioral).
• Translates verbal and written communications, as appropriate.
• Work in a variety of settings (i.e., general education, special education, one to one, etc)
• When needed, assists students with all aspects of toileting and personal hygiene, as needed.
• When needed, may transport or serve food and/or feed or assist students in feeding themselves. May obtain food from the kitchen, serves food, feeds students or helps them to feed themselves, as needed.
• When needed, assists students with the use of mobility equipment., as needed.
• Motivate students through effective communication and actionable feedback
• Supervises a group of students in the temporary absence of the teacher.
• Assists in performing general clerical functions (e.g. scheduling, copying, data entry, filing, etc.)
• Model a personal code of ethics aligned with ECS Mission and Vision.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications
• High school diploma or equivalent, Associate degree preferred
• Bilingual preferred
• Demonstrates an understanding, patient, and receptive attitude towards students of various age groups, temperaments and abilities (particularly those exhibiting specialized needs)
• Exhibit ability to handle confidential information and materials
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and administrators
• Commitment to inclusive school environments, collaboration and social justice
• Commitment to the success of all students and the ECS mission, vision, and values

The Perks
• Competitive compensation package inclusive of a generous benefits package
• HMO level healthcare premium 100% covered by employer, contributions towards dependents
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Voluntary Benefits (Supplemental Life, Accident, Short Term Disability, etc.)
• Generous time off program includes 22 holidays, sick leave and vacation
• Support with application to loan forgiveness programs and access to 403b Retirement Plans
• Small Learning Communities with smaller class sizes and lower student to counselor ratios
• Credentialing and Induction support
• Social and Environmental Justice Focus
• Personal growth and enrichment opportunities

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $19.00 - $24.48 per hour

Benefits:
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Schedule:
• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• No weekends

Work Location: In person