Student Development Assistant

Student Development Assistant (29 hours/week)

Position Type:
Other

Date Posted: 10/24/2025

Location:

School To Be Determined

Closing Date:
Until Filled

Student Development Assistant, reporting to the Program Director
, provides direct, trauma-informed social, emotional, behavioral, and academic support to students within the Highfive THRIVE Lab therapeutic classroom setting. They play a crucial role in bridging academic instruction with emotional and behavioral support, fostering a safe and restorative learning environment. This is an on-site role based in New Castle County, Delaware.

Direct Student Support:

• Assist with delivering/facilitating academic instruction, providing individualized academic and social-emotional instruction and support aligned with students' home school curriculum and personalized learning plans.
• Implement individualized behavior support plans and therapeutic interventions.
• Facilitate group activities, including daily circles and mindfulness exercises.
• Provide real-time progress monitoring and coaching for each student throughout the day.
• Model and co-regulate with students, reinforcing emotional safety and self-regulation strategies.

Therapeutic Intervention Implementation:

• Support the implementation of Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) through collaborative problem‑solving conversations with students.
• Integrate DBT‑informed skills training (e.g., mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness) into daily interactions and lessons.
• Utilize and guide students in "Calm Down Corners" or "Zones of Regulation."
• Support daily Social‑Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons and facilitate behavior reflections.
• Apply restorative justice techniques when conflicts or rule violations occur, focusing on repairing harm and building accountability.

Collaboration & Communication:

• Participate in bi‑weekly Highfive THRIVE Lab staff meetings to review student cases and feedback.
• Collaborate with the Program Director, classroom teacher, Student Development Learning Specialist, and site staff to ensure IEP/504 accommodations are met.
• Engage with families through daily communication and home‑based implementation support.
• Work closely with the Program Director and other team members to ensure consistent application of the Highfive THRIVE Lab model.

Community Engagement:

• Facilitate and support building a community engagement event to engage the Appo Community.
• Facilitate learning opportunities for Appo Community stakeholders.

Logistics:

• Working hours follow the regular school day schedule of the assigned school site within the Appoquinimink School District at a maximum of 29 hours a week. Weekly schedule is to be determined by the Program Director.
• Laptop will be provided by district with district and Highfive access for resources.

• Certified para‑professional or equivalent experience in an educational or therapeutic support role.
• Demonstrated understanding of trauma‑informed care and restorative practices.
• Experience working with students in need of intensive behavioral and emotional support and engage in de‑escalation and physical management strategies.
• Ability to implement academic and therapeutic interventions effectively.
• Strong communication, empathy, and relationship‑building skills.
• Capacity to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.