Lower School Specialist Teaching Assistant

Job Description
The Blake School seeks to hire a Specialist Teaching Assistant for the 2023-24 school year. This position will work mostly in Blake's Upper Elementary, supporting students in grades 2-5. There may be occasional work in Blake's Early Learning Center, supporting students in grades PK-1.
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 $20 and increases commensurate with education and experience. This is a part-time, non benefits-eligible position.
The search committee will begin reviewing applications immediately.
Experience and Skills

• 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
• 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:

• Communicate effectively and frequently with members of the administrative and office team
• 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 specialist classrooms, including art, engineering and programming, music, P.E. and theater
• 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

Job Benefits
The Blake School is a pre-kindergarten through grade 12, co-educational, nonsectarian, independent day school enrolling 1,331 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