5-8 Special Education (VINE) Teacher's Assistant

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Teacher’s Assistant to join our Junior High Special Education team. The successful candidate will handle running the VCS Resource Room for students with diverse learning needs while supporting their academic growth.

Job Summary:

The Special Education (VINE) Assistant shows a strong understanding of students with diverse learning, emotional, and sensory needs and the ability to deliver effective, individualized support. This position requires proficiency with technology including Microsoft Office Suite. The Special Education (VINE) Assistant will demonstrate a passion for ministering to children through assisting with sensory needs and test taking while work collaboratively with the VINE team and general education teachers to support student learning and ensure overall success. The Special Education (VINE) Assistant will be expected to provide academic, emotional, sensory, and spiritual support, as well as guidance on study skills and executive functioning skills such as planning, organization, and time-management. The Teacher's Assistant must be a professing and maturing Christian enthusiastically supporting Valley Christian’s statement of faith and mission statements.

Role and Responsibilities:

• Oversee services provided through our Resource Room based upon student Individual Learning Plans (ILP’s) as assigned
• Consult and collaborate with Manager of special education and classroom teachers who have VINE students in their classes about behavior and testing
• Assist students with intervention other specific learning needs
• Connect with K-8 Manager of Special Education on decisions related to student support
• Must have an excitement about working with junior high school students
• Display an ability to support students in 5th-8th grade curriculum
• Display the ability to connect Biblical truth to students lives
• Demonstrate a passion for ministering to students through teaching, counseling, encouragement, and mentoring
• Maintain a healthy learning environment for the students in the Resource Room by using proper enforcement of student behavior rules
• Exercise open and respectful communication with students, families, co-workers, and supervisors
• Attend professional development workshops provided by Valley Christian Schools
• Participate in required staff meetings, events, and activities.
• Attend professional development workshops provided by Valley Christian Schools
• Adheres to and honors Valley Christians standards, policies, procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Performs other related assigned duties

Qualifications and Skills:

• Have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that is a consistent testimony among others
• Agree to uphold Valley Christian’s Mission & Beliefs which can be found at http://valleychristianaz.org/about/philosophy/
• Faithfully attend and financially support a local church whose beliefs are in agreement with our school’s Mission & Beliefs
• Attain ACSI Standard Certification within one year of employment
• Must have and maintain a valid level one IVP fingerprint card
• Ability to communicate effectively both written and verbally
• Must have excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Must have ability to build report with students and remain calm under pressure
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software
• Ability to multitask, be highly organized, self-motivated, and willing to learn about special educational services unique to VCS
• Ability to exercise initiative and sound judgment and to react with discretion under varying conditions
• Ability to maintain peaceful environment, enforce structure and behavior expectations of the Resource Room
• Ability to manage multiple students’ needs simultaneously
• Willingness to learn, be flexible, and adjust to changes regularly
• Willingness to participate in professional development related to special education

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education or a related field from an accredited college is required
• Previous experience with diverse students and special education students

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to work a flexible schedule including weekends and evenings 
• Must be able to work during prolong periods of standing and walking at events 
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times 
• At times requires stooping, bending, turning, pushing, pulling, reaching and climbing stairs (2-story)
• Use of hands, fingers, arms to reach, grip and maneuver objects
• Must be able to respond quickly to sounds (fire/security alarms)
• Work in noisy and crowded school environment
• Able to work a flexible schedule including weekends and evenings when needed
• Frequent walking throughout the campus

Background Check Statement

VCS conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.

About Valley Christian Schools

Valley Christian Schools offers students in Kindergarten through 12th Grade big school opportunities in a small school environment. Established in 1982, VCS provides 1100+ students a distinctly Christian education with excellent academics, championship athletics, award-winning fine arts and a supporting community that encourages spiritual growth and the success of our students in and out of the classroom across our two East Valley campuses. Valley Christian is ranked as one of the Top 50 Christian high schools in the U.S., the #1 Christian High School in Arizona, and as one of the Top 125 Places to Work in Arizona. For more information visit valleychristianaz.org.

PLEASE NOTE: Subject to the Constitution of the United States and all applicable state and federal laws, Valley Christian Schools does not discriminate against applicants or students on the basis of race, color, and national or ethnic origin in its admissions or in the administration of its education policies, programs, or activities. In addition, subject to Subject to the Constitution of the United States and all applicable state and federal laws, Valley Christian Schools does not discriminate in its employment practices. Valley Christian Schools is a Christian education institution and, in compliance with Title VII of Civil Rights Act of 1964, reserves the right to give preference in employment based upon religion. It is our desire to build an employee community of individuals who are currently living out their Christian faith that agree with our Statement of Faith, beliefs, philosophy, and qualifications.