St. Joseph, Fort Wayne - Teacher Aide: K-1 ELL Support

Essential Responsibilities:

English Learner Support

• Provide targeted support to EL students under the direction of the classroom teacher and school administration.

• Help students understand classroom directions, routines, expectations, and academic vocabulary.

• Reinforce English language development through conversation, modeling, repetition, visuals, gestures, and hands-on activities.

• Provide small-group or individual support as directed by the classroom teacher.

• Help EL students participate meaningfully in classroom lessons and activities.

• Support students in developing confidence and independence in using English.

• Reinforce vocabulary, phonics, early literacy, mathematics, and other foundational academic skills.

• Use appropriate visual and language supports to increase student comprehension.

• Encourage positive peer interactions and opportunities for students to practice English in authentic settings.

• Support implementation of accommodations, language supports, and strategies identified through the student's EL/ILP or other school support plans, as directed by appropriate school personnel.

Classroom Support

• Assist the classroom teacher with instructional activities, learning centers, small groups, and individual student support.

• Help maintain a safe, orderly, welcoming, and productive classroom environment.

• Assist students with classroom routines, transitions, organization, and age-appropriate self-management skills.

• Supervise students as assigned during arrival, dismissal, transitions, recess, lunch, and other school activities.

• Prepare, organize, and distribute instructional materials.

• Assist with bulletin boards, learning centers, classroom displays, copies, and other classroom preparations.

• Provide additional support to students when the classroom teacher is working with another group or individual student.

• Assist with maintaining classroom cleanliness and organization.

Student Support

• Build positive, respectful relationships with students while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

• Encourage students through positive reinforcement and consistent expectations.

• Help students develop social-emotional skills, appropriate classroom behaviors, and independence.

• Communicate concerns about student academic, behavioral, social, or emotional needs to the classroom teacher.

• Maintain confidentiality regarding students, families, and school matters.

• Follow all school policies and procedures related to student safety, supervision, confidentiality, and child protection.

Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with K–1 classroom teachers, EL/resource staff, school administration, and other members of the instructional team.

• Follow the instructional direction of the classroom teacher and designated school personnel.

• Participate in staff meetings, professional development, and training as appropriate.

• Maintain open and professional communication with colleagues.

• Fulfill supervision duties in and outside the classroom setting.

• Support the mission, Catholic identity, and educational philosophy of Saint Joseph Catholic School.

Qualifications

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• Experience working with young children preferred.

• Ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative school team.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Patience, flexibility, dependability, and a positive attitude.

• Ability to maintain student confidentiality and professional boundaries.

• Commitment to providing a safe, respectful, and nurturing environment for children.

Preferred:

• Fluency in Spanish and English.

• Experience working with English Learners or multilingual students.

• Experience in an elementary classroom or early childhood setting.

• Associate degree, college coursework, or other training in education, child development, ESL/ELL, or a related field.

• Familiarity with language-development strategies and culturally responsive practices.

Physical and Work Requirements

The employee must be able to:

• Move throughout an elementary school and classroom environment.

• Assist young children with age-appropriate classroom needs.

• Stand, walk, bend, kneel, and sit for extended periods as needed.

• Lift or move classroom materials and supplies as reasonably required.

• Maintain active supervision of students.

Catholic School Expectations

All employees of Saint Joseph Catholic School are expected to support the school's Catholic mission and contribute to a school culture grounded in faith, respect, responsibility, honesty, and kindness. The successful candidate will demonstrate respect for each child's dignity and contribute positively to the mission of forming students who are learning to lead and serve as Saints.

Position Type

Teacher Aide – K–1 / English Learner Support

Reports To

Principal and designated classroom teacher(s)