26-27 High School Special Education Teaching Assistant

Belmont Charter Network is a family of 5 community schools centered on the central mission to promote the academic, social, and emotional well-being of each child. Our schools are supported by a non-profit partner to provide holistic services to the school, including out-of-school time, our social work project, and Head Start.  How do we do this?  We do it by ensuring our students have access to complete support both in and out of the classroom through a talented team of teachers, leaders, social workers, and partners.

We believe that schools and learning should be joyful!

You can find more about our core values and vision here.  We believe that education is the single biggest way we can disrupt the systemic racism that impacts Philadelphia and, by extension, our country.  We are a mission-centered organization that has grown since our founding over 20 years ago to be the organization that serves Philadelphia today.   Learn more about our partners who support this vision by creating a full scope of community support for our students and families.  Our approach is grounded in trauma-informed practice, which you can read more about here.

Position Summary

The Special Education Teaching Assistant plays an essential role in supporting students within a small, specialized education classroom. This position involves providing individualized (1:1) and small-group support focused on students’ academic, social, and emotional learning.

The Life Skills Teaching Assistant will help maintain a structured and nurturing classroom environment, implement behavior support strategies, and collaborate closely with the lead teacher and school leadership. The ideal candidate is a highly motivated, compassionate, and mission-aligned individual who enjoys engaging with students across various settings, including the classroom, lunchroom, recess, and during individualized support sessions.

• Provide academic, social, and emotional support to students in a small, specialized classroom setting.
• Deliver 1:1 and small-group instruction using the required curriculum and teacher guidance.
• Support students throughout the school day, including during lunch, recess, arrival, and dismissal.
• Proactively manage student behavior using trauma-informed practices and Responsive Classroom techniques (training provided).
• De-escalate challenging situations with patience and professionalism.
• Physically support students as needed to ensure safety and engagement.
• Track student progress and maintain accurate student data.
• Communicate regularly and collaboratively with the lead teacher to maximize student growth.
• Help maintain a safe, joyful, and welcoming classroom environment.

Additional Responsibilities

• Attend school-based and network-wide professional development sessions.
• Participate in school-wide meetings and initiatives.
• Support Out-of-School-Time (OST) programs as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Education and Experience

• CDA, Associate’s, or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Prior experience working with children required.
• Experience supporting students with special needs in one or more of the following settings preferred:
  • Special education classrooms
  • Early intervention programs
  • ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) agencies
• Must be comfortable physically supporting students when necessary.

Skills and Abilities

• Passion for working with and supporting children.
• Strong classroom management and problem-solving skills.
• Flexible, dependable, and a strong team player.
• Ability to build positive relationships with students, families, and colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated growth mindset and commitment to professional learning.
• Alignment with Belmont Charter Network’s mission, values, and trauma-informed approach.