First Grade Teaching Assistant Jobs in Chicago, IL

Description

Nexus Family Healing is hiring a Teaching Assistant for the Safe Harbor School at our Manteno, IL location! 

Provide support to education faculty in areas of student learning and provide support within both the educational and residential setting with student resident supervision and safety.  Our teachers enjoy small class sizes and support from Behavior and Residential Staff throughout the school day.  Join a team that values collaboration, care, and student success.  Apply today! 

Nexus Family Healing is a national nonprofit network of mental health agencies with over 45 years of restoring hope for thousands of children and families through outpatient/community mental health services, foster care and adoption, and residential treatment.

Safe Harbor School (SHS) is our very own private school that serves youth receiving treatment at Nexus-Indian Oak in Manteno, IL. SHS serves grades 6-12, and students participate in a curriculum tailored to their unique needs and current grade level. The school provides a special education curriculum accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement and approved by the Illinois State Board of Education. Credits transfer to any school upon the client's discharge. 

At Nexus Family Healing, we embrace diversity, promote equity, and foster inclusion. As a national mental health organization, we serve a diverse group of youth and families, and we strive for our workforce to support and represent that diversity.

Work Schedule & Salary:

• Full-time role - Hours: Monday-Friday 7am-3:30pm.  SHS follows a year-round academic calendar, including scheduled break weeks and holidays off. 
• Hourly rate:  $17-18 per hour based on credentials and years of experience.

Nexus' Comprehensive Benefits Include:

• Four weeks paid time off (PTO) in the first year of employment
• Floating Holidays!
• Multiple options for health insurance coverage
• No-cost life insurance
• Short/long-term disability insurance
• 401k match
• NEW - Talkspace Therapy Benefit for the whole family
• NEW - Hinge Health Benefit for the whole family
• NEW - Carrot Fertility Benefit
• Tuition assistance, discounts, and professional training opportunities
• Advancement pathways and internal promotion
• Internships opportunities
• And much more!

Position Summary: Provide support to education faculty in areas of student learning and provide support within both the educational and residential setting with student resident supervision and safety. 

Primary responsibilities:

1. Provide educational assistance to clients within a classroom setting.

• Provide instructional assistance to student residents on an individual basis per established lesson plans; communicate and interface with students with care, concern, patience and professionalism and work to contribute to and facilitate a save environment for students conducive to the best learning outcomes.  
• Carries out lesson plans as needed in the absence of a teacher and provide educational assistance to students on assigned subject materials, projects and assignments.  
• Assist with the preparation of classroom materials and handouts. 
• Assist with records management, i.e., student attendance, progress reports, etc. 
• Provide classroom supervision for study halls or in the absence of the teacher; demonstrate a spirit of cooperation and collaboration in an effort to support the teacher and classroom goals and initiatives. 
• Request supplies as needed or directed for classroom activities. 
• Understand and support student treatment plans and IEPs (Individual Treatment Plans). 

 2. Provide client supervision and mentorship.

• Assist in maintaining a positive learning environment by monitoring student resident behavior, redirecting residents when issues arise, and assisting with restraints when necessary. 
• Assist in monitoring and transporting students before and after school from the residential units. 
• Demonstrate an acceptance and respectfulness toward diversity concerning commonalities and differences such as gender, race, age, culture, ethnicity, class religion, disability and gender identify. 
• Serve as mentor and role model by demonstrating compassion and understanding for feelings, opinions, and experiences of others, and communicating and interacting in a manner that is honest, positive, respectful, and professional. 
• Continually strive to understand and grow knowledge in aeras of child and adolescent development principles in an effort to model and reinforce positive youth development and social and emotional growth. 

 3. Ensure student resident safety and collaborate with co-workers to maintain an environment that is positive, respectful, clean, and safe.

• Ensure compliance with all safety policies and procedures involving living classroom and school area, building, campus grounds and residential areas when assigned or when attending off-campus activities. 
• Perform First Aid/CPR procedures and respond according to established protocols in the event of an emergency situation. 
• Maintain appropriate boundaries in all interactions and contact with student residents. 
• Comply with Nexus policies involving privacy and confidentiality for student residents and their families. 

 4. Attend staff meetings and training sessions as required by Nexus. Understand and support the Nexus philosophy and treatment modalities. 5, Understand, upload, and comply with all Nexus policy and procedures regarding student resident confidentiality.

 6. Additional Duties as assigned.

Requirements

Required Education and Licensure:

• Minimum 21 years of age 
• Valid driver's license required. Must meet state regulating agency and Home Office driving requirements 
• Previous classroom support experience 
• Must have an active ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education) Paraprofessional Educator Endorsement (ELS PARA) 
• Must have the ability to build strong relationships with diverse individuals or communities and understand their unique needs and challenges.
• Must be open to meeting the cultural needs of individuals or communities, considering factors such as language, traditions, and values.

At Nexus Family Healing, our voices and actions are focused on recognizing, affirming and respecting people of every race, ethnic background, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender expression and faith.
 

ICARE Values & Behavioral Competencies:

• Innovation: Leading the way and implementing creative, cutting-edge ideas and approaches. 
• Compassion: Listening, honoring differences, and showing respect, kindness, empathy care, and concern. 
• Agility: Exhibiting flexibility and adapting quickly. 
• Responsiveness: Being quick, positive, and accurate. 
• Excellence: Demonstrating quality results that surpass ordinary standards. 

APPLY TODAY TO BE CONTACTED BY OUR RECRUITING TEAM! When you work at Nexus, you have the opportunity to change lives - including your own!