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KairosPDX is a non-profit organization focused on delivering excellent, equitable education to underserved children, their families and their communities. Through innovative pedagogy, community collaboration and family partnership we are closing Portland’s persistent achievement and opportunity gaps in measurable and sustainable ways. Our mission is to eliminate the prolific racial achievement and opportunity gaps by cultivating, confident, creative, compassionate, leaders. We do this through an organizational approach that includes: Kairos Learning Academy, Family Connections Programming, Professional Development and Policy. Please visit www.kairospdx.org.
Working at KairosPDX
KairosPDX is currently seeking candidates for several full-time, year-round educational assistant positions starting in mid-July 2021. Persons of color and members of other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
KairosPDX Learning Academy was launched in 2014. It is a public charter school sponsored by Portland Public Schools, located on N. Gantenbein Avenue in Portland. Our educational model is inquiry-based. Our curriculum approach is culturally-responsive, workshop model that infuses mindfulness, restorative practice, studio art, STEM, music and fitness in our teaching. Small class sizes and year-round schooling are two of our distinguishing elements.
Kairos is Greek for a special moment in time and we believe we are creating this time and space for children and families, making KairosPDX a very special place to work. We are committed to the core values of Respect, Responsibility, Excellence, Honesty, and Service. We value data, reflection, feedback and continuous improvement as we work together on behalf of our children and families. We are collaborative, creative and passionate about being voices for change in our city. We believe that attacking systemic racism is foundational to our work and that considering our own identity, biases and experiences is a necessary step toward igniting change. Our expectation is that staff at Kairos are invested in our mission and participate in creating structures, developing school culture and communicating our work to families and the larger community. Staff work together to support the whole child – academically, socially, emotionally and culturally, using published curriculum, current research and children’s own interests to build their curriculums. KairosPDX values data, reflection, feedback and continuous improvement as we work together on behalf of our children and families.
Educational Assistant Core Responsibilities
Share responsibility with a team of colleagues and parents to honor the mission of the school:
to eliminate the prolific racial achievement and opportunity gaps by cultivating confident, creative and compassionate leaders;
Practice the values of KairosPDX in professional conduct and daily interactions:
respect, responsibility, honesty, excellence and service to community
Incorporate the beliefs of KairosPDX in all approaches and instruction
Every child is uniquely capable, innately curious and inherently creative,
Character and agency are essential to achievement and are developed through relationship and service to others,
A multi- cultural context delivers a strong sense of self and is a requirement for participation in our global society,
Children must be supported in the context of their families;
Support multicultural practice and inquiry based approaches that are:
1.Actively anti-racist – confronting bias in all of its forms,
2.Education for social justice – acknowledging history and studying the present to make informed decisions regarding a more equitable future,
3.Pervasive – Examining practices in all levels of school culture and organization,
4.Personal –Beginning with the necessary consideration of self as a cultural being,
5.Critical Pedagogy – Pursuing multiple perspectives, anticipating contradictions and challenging assumptions,
6.Empowering – Providing children the ego strength to challenge racist societal views,
7.Helping children think deeply about themselves and others.
Responsible for upholding classroom expectations and language as set by classroom teachers while providing supervision of children
Assist classroom teacher and support team with development and implementation of individualized academic and behavior supports by:
Collaboration and communication of all observations and experiences while implementing support needs
Participating in professional development and training around trauma-informed care
Supporting individualized plans and providing consistent responses to daily behavior
Daily documentation in internal student databases
Responsible for leading students in recess, park, nutrition beaks, transitions, lunch duty and community action sessions
Assist classroom teacher with preparing the environment for the academic and non-academic needs of children
Assist classroom teacher with individual and/or small group instruction for children
Assist classroom teacher with facilitation of home/school information and relationship:
Responsible for the exchange of information between home and school ie: creation of flyers, conference reminders, etc.
Supporting classroom teachers to communicate with families regarding student behavior, needs and growth
Assist classroom teachers to develop culturally relevant instructional opportunities that engage and empower all students
Distributing food during nutrition breaks in classrooms
Tracking and maintaining first aid and safety supplies in classrooms
Participate in continuous improvement practices including observations, reflections and collaborations
Preparing materials and technology needs in support of learning
Perform other related duties as needed by teaching staff
Participate in professional development to facilitate growth of each student, staff member and the organization overall;
Attend several KairosPDX staff and family events;
Participate in supervising students during recess and other non-class times and
Assist in planning and supervising field trips (both local trips and overnights).
Educational Assistant Qualifications
Two (2) years, relevant college experience
Minimum two years of experience working in school, nonprofit, or community setting.
At least one or two years relevant experience working with children from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds
Interested in exploring the field of education
Training in early education and/or human development, preferred
Experience working with children ages 5 to 11, preferred
Ability to work with children and families from a low-income background and with whom English is a second language
Demonstrated ability to manage student behavior
Willingness to learn about and adapt to KairosPDX culture
Effective interpersonal skills in managing and interacting with diverse groups of stakeholders.
Excellent time management and organizational skills
Demonstrated ability to manage conflict through equitable decision-making and effective problem solving
Open to learning and practicing a new approach to teaching and learning
Commitment to culturally relevant practices
Share KairosPDX’s stance that excellent public education is a civil right of all children and families
Possess a passion for helping each child reach his or her social, emotional and academic potential including a commitment to differentiated instruction and ongoing assessment
Current Food Handlers Card and CPR First Aid Certificate required (cost paid by applicant)
Ability to pass a criminal background check
Salary and Benefits
Salary: Dependent on qualifications.
Benefits include: Up to three weeks of school closure breaks, paid sick/personal leave days, paid holidays, participation in Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), employer contribution for health insurance, professional development opportunities.
How to Apply
Interested candidates please submit a cover letter and resume via email to: careers@kairospdx.org. Please state “Educational Assistant application” in the subject line. In the cover letter please briefly describe any previous experience you have working with children, why you are interested in this position and what strengths you will bring to the job. Resumes will be accepted until the positions are filled.
