AmeriCorps Teaching Assistant, Grace Academy

This is an AmeriCorps Service position which requires U.S. Citizenship or Legal Permanent Residency in compliance with federal guidelines. Notre Dame Mission Volunteers, AmeriCorps members serve full time (900 hours) from January 2nd - June 30th and receive a modest living stipend, education award, and additional benefits.

Grace Academy is an accredited, tuition-free middle school serving girls of all faiths from underserved families residing in Hartford and the surrounding areas. Grace Academy’s academically challenging and highly structured environment helps students grow in a love for learning and an abiding sense of responsibility to their community. In the NativityMiguel tradition, the school promotes the intellectual, creative, social, spiritual, and physical growth that inspires girls to reach for a college education and rewarding career.

Grace Academy achieves impressive academic and high school placement results through an innovative co-teaching model, a model which compliments the experience of veteran effective educators (Lead Teachers), with the enthusiasm and promise of talented recent college graduates (Grace Academy Fellows).

Job Purpose:

To assist Grace Academy teachers on a day to day basis and to foster the development of students within the NativityMiguel tradition. The Academic Fellow plays an integral role in the smooth operation and effectiveness of the overall program. Grace Academy’s holistic program includes: breakfast meals, free lunch for students (2 days/week) recess, study hall, club activities, sports, field trips and summer school. The academic fellow also assists teachers in their efforts to educate the students we serve. This includes assistance with Unit and Lesson Plans, library services, progress report, facilitation of parent relationships.

Fellow Responsibilities:

Be present, ready to work and on time for all scheduled hours - school days, field trips & PD workshops as defined by the school calendar.

• Promote social emotional learning and student success through extracurricular activities
• Organizes Club activities and athletic competitions
• Assists with student discipline according to the Handbook, keeping in mind the needs of the students.
• Communicates with parents/guardians
• Helps organizes and Attends Parent Council meetings
• Working with teachers, helps identify student needs and cooperates with other professional staff members in assessing and helping students solve health, attitude, and learning problems.
• Creates an effective environment for learning through attractive displays such as bulletin boards, etc.
• Maintains professional competence through in-service professional development activities provided by the school, attends professional development workshops/conferences, and/or university courses.
• Supervision duties as assigned, including, but not limited to: substitute teaching, lunch/recess duty, chaperoning of field trips, Clubs, sports, etc.
• Works in collaboration with the Executive Director, Instructional Coaches, and School Counselor(s) to provide a quality faith-based education for each student.
• Attends and participates in faculty meetings.
• Maintains professional appearance.

Applicant Qualifications and Attitude:

• A pledge to engage in a caring, responsible, and loving human relationship with each student entrusted to their care, looking upon each student as a younger sister.
• An understanding of the NativityMiguel model and mission, of their role as a vocation, which necessitates a willingness to engage in professional growth and one’s own spiritual reflection and formation.
• Patience, generosity, excellent work ethic, humility, confidence, and a good sense of humor.
• A Bachelor’s Degree is required.
• Experience working with youth, middle school grades preferred.
• A firm commitment to social justice and equitable education
• Generosity of spirit, exceptional work ethic, flexibility, and a willingness to consistently learn.
• U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident