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SF Friends School
SFFS Middle School Teaching Assistant
The San Francisco Friends School (SFFS), located in the heart of the Mission District in San Francisco, educates K-8 students in the tradition of Quaker learning. By example and commitment, we hope to inspire all connected with our school to work together toward a peaceful and caring society. For further information about San Francisco Friends School’s beginnings, mission and philosophy, please visit our website at www.sffriendsschool.org.
Job Summary:
Teaching Assistants are important members of the SFFS teaching team. We seek teachers compelled by the Friends school mission, which includes an exemplary education supported by a community dedicated to peaceful problem solving, service to others, simplicity, respect for the individual, and silent reflection.
Overview of Responsibilities
Our middle school has four sections in each middle school grade level, 5-8. Middle school assistants support lead teachers across their respective grade. Assistants will be involved in most, if not all, of the following duties:
● Supervision of children, including recess, lunchtime, arrival and dismissal
Social emotional learning support for students
● Maintaining classroom spaces, and preparing materials for lessons
● Support with evaluations, reports and conferences
● Teaching individual, small and large groups of children in many subjects
● Support the planning and implementation of curriculum and lessons
● Accompanying students and attending some specialist classes, as needed
● Providing student observations, feedback, and supporting the Portfolio process
● Provide short-term coverage for lead teachers, as needed
● Assist in coordination of field trips, service learning programs and outdoor education
● Participation in all team, grade level and faculty meetings
Additional responsibilities may be negotiated based on individual interests and experience. TA’s will attend a few evening special events, like Back to School Night and New Family Orientation evenings. Assistants may attend parent conferences and may support teachers in designing curriculum,
assessments and preparations for report writing, as requested. TA’s are encouraged to join committees and school-wide activities. With a direct teaching mentor, TA coordinator and the Middle School head in support, we are eager to work with assistants who wish to develop their skills as educators, or are enrolled in a training program that requires reflection and experimentation with lesson and curriculum design for student learning and growth in all realms. We seek to staff our school with assistant teachers who are flexible and willing to adapt to the needs of their mentor teacher, students, and the overall school; educators who have a pioneering spirit, take initiative, have an interest in Quaker educational pedagogy, and are developing creative problem solving skills will find SFFS to be a lively and engaging community.
Job Requirements:
● High School diploma or equivalent
● Education experience i.e summer camp counselor, tutor, student mentor
● Flexible, adaptable, reflective and collaborative spirit
● Willingness to learn from mentors
● Ability to take initiative
Desired Qualifications:
● B.A Degree
● ECE and/or education coursework
● Expressed desire to become a classroom teacher, or consideration to enroll in a teaching program
● Spanish, Mandarin, Farsi or Hindi speaker
● Interest in Quaker pedagogy
Physical requirements:
Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate a computer, hand-held learning devices and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
Compensation and Benefit summary:
Competitive, non exempt salary based on experience and qualifications. Excellent benefits offered including medical, dental, vision and life insurance.
EEO Commitment:
The San Francisco Friends School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, marital status or any other category protected by law. The school also makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants with disabilities; candidates who need accommodations in order to apply for this position should request an accommodation as part of the submission of interest.
Please email a resume and letter of interest to jobs@sffriendsschool.org, with attention to Clarke Weatherspoon, Head of Middle School
Addendum:
Our TA program is a two year program aimed at service to and in support of pre-service teachers. Teaching assistants at SFFS are expected to move on to full time teaching positions at other institutions after two years in the SFFS TA program. Teaching assistants who enter into the TA program at SFFS who are not already enrolled in a teacher training program such as BATTI have until the start of their second year to enroll. In this case, if the TA is meeting expectations determined by their supervisor, SFFS would extend a contract for a third year, but not beyond a third year, so that the TA can complete their program while at SFFS. If a TA chooses to move more slowly through a training program, their contract at SFFS will not be extended beyond a third year.
