Lower School Teaching Assistant

Chandler School is an independent K-8 school located in Pasadena, CA, with an enrollment of 450. Founded in 1950, Chandler School abides by its mission to provide each student with the highest quality and most academically challenging education in a nurturing, balanced and diverse environment.

We strive to have our students gain a love of learning, a means of thinking independently and an ability to work collaboratively. A Chandler education seeks to develop good character, self-reliance and a commitment to community in students as a foundation for academic and personal success.

We take pride in our thriving community with diverse perspectives and backgrounds. We learn and grow from one another and respect each others’ creativity and knowledge to promote a nurturing and healthy workplace.

This position willplay a vital role in supporting the social, emotional, and academic development of our students through direct and indirect services. The Teaching Assistant (TA) will work closely with both classroom and specialist teachers, assisting in the implementation of instructional activities. The TA’s primary responsibilities will include supporting classroom management, facilitating lesson implementation, and supervising students during lunch and recess.

Additionally, you will guide students as they engage in activities and play. Teaching assistants may also be provided the opportunity to gain experience as a teacher by acting as a substitute for your lead teacher when possible.

• Providing instructional support,especially during math and language arts instruction,at the direction of the classroom teachers
• Working with students in small and large groups as part of differentiated instruction
• Supervising children at play, promoting and maintaining a safe and inclusive environment
• Promoting students’ social-emotional learning and development
• Maintaining a focus on observing students closely
• Communicating and collaborating with faculty and staff, sharing insights into student learning and behaviors
• Attending monthly teaching assistant meetings during the school day
• Lead and facilitate the school experiences for children who stay for the extended day
• Provide instructional coverage for classroom teachers during professional development or meetings

Chandler School is committed to providing students with multiple opportunities to engage in physical activity and play each day. Upon hire, teaching assistants are assigned lunch and recess supervision duties. Teaching assistants also monitor student transitions between classroom spaces. When supervising students during these times, employees are expected to:

• Avoid anything that might distract them from engaging in careful observation.
• Spread out from other adults supervising recess and PE
• Model Chandler’s Pillars of Character
• Support students as needed with problem solving and conflict resolution
• Enforce all school rules and policies to promote positive discipline
• Help students maintain facilities and play equipment
• Report any behavior concerns and/or injuries to the classroom teacher, lower school director, and any other relevant personnel

• Clear and professional verbal and written communication with teachers, students, and parents
• Effective organizational skills and interpersonal skills
• Reliability in maintaining routines and following through with tasks
• Patience, energy, and physical stamina
• Ability to reinforce lessons under the direction of the lead teacher
• Active listening and observational skills to report on student behavior and learning
• Flexibility to support multiple classrooms or grades as needed
• Strong classroom management skills that foster a respectful, inclusive, and engaging learning environment
• Proactive engagement during instructional and non-instructional times
• Basic familiarity with educational technology (e.g., Google Workspace, iPads, digital learning tools)
• Patience, empathy, and ability to model positive behavior
• Highly attuned to the unique needs of each learner and thrives in dynamic and ever-changing situations
• Skill in gently redirecting or supporting children…