ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

Launch EL Charter School is part of a network of 12 EL Education (formerly Expeditionary Learning) and NYC Outward Bound schools in New York City and is the NYC network’s first charter school. EL is a proven educational model being implemented in over 150 district, charter and independent schools across the country. Launch's mission is to prepare students in under-resourced communities to thrive in college and careers by providing a public education rooted in active learning experiences and powerful character development. We believe that students at all levels can be pushed and supported to do more than they think possible.

As an EL school, we believe that when a student is done with school and enters adult life, she will be judged for the rest of her life not by her performance on tests of basic skills, but by the quality of her work and the quality of her character. Our vision of student achievement therefore has three dimensions: Mastery of Academic Skills and Content, High-Quality Work, and Character. 

Launch Middle School was founded 8 years ago to provide students with the opportunity to experience a middle school education under the EL Education model, an approach that believes in creating classrooms where learning is “challenging, active, meaningful, character driven, and public.”

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Launch is seeking a middle school math teaching assistant.  Teaching assistants work closely with lead teachers to support and differentiate instruction and play an integral role in creating a joyful school environment for adolescent learners.  Effective partnerships between both teachers helps to ensure that all students engage in rigorous tasks and projects, master grade level standards, produce high quality work and develop their habits of character.  Beyond the classroom, teaching assistants live the school’s vision and mission to support joyful learning where students achieve more than they think possible.  Teaching assistants receive ongoing professional development to support their growth and those who demonstrate their ability to effectively engage and teach young learners may be considered for a lead teacher position.

The ideal candidate will model our Launch’s Habits of Heart & Mind: Integrity & Stewardship, Kindness & Collaboration, Imagination & Spirit, and Dedication & Practice. (See attachment)

THE WORK

The Math Teaching Assistant will support all students in Launch’s three dimensions of student achievement: Mastery of Knowledge and Skills; developing strong Character; and producing High Quality Work.

• Support cooperating teacher in upholding consistent classroom expectations and routines for a student-centered classroom
• Own the preparation and organization of instructional materials to maximize learning time for all students
• Own the preparation and organization of the classroom space to maximize learning time and celebrate student achievement in all three dimensions
• Lead data-driven small groups daily and prepare curricular modifications and accommodations to ensure students achieve mastery of all learning targets
• Support cooperating teacher in using the school-wide data system to collect and analyze student data and modify instruction accordingly and support with grading and inputting of grades on a regular basis
• Complete a weekly 1:1 check-in with your cooperating teacher to outline specific tasks and deliverables to accomplish for the week
• Communicate frequently and maintain strong relationships with students, students’ families, colleagues and all other school personnel
• Develop character by always modeling our Habits of Heart & Mind and teaching/holding students accountable to demonstrating our habits: Integrity and Stewardship, Kindness and Collaboration, Imagination and Spirit, and Dedication and Practice
• Collaborate with the Director of Crew to support core programmatic systems and structures (i.e., planning, crew coverages, etc…)
• Maintain strong school culture by supervising students at lunch, recess, or at various other duties