Co-Teaching Instructional Assistant

WHO WE ARE

Pinnacles Prep believes that ALL students, regardless of background, deserve a meaningful education in a culture where every student matters.  We are deeply committed to our mission of cultivating curious, confident, and self-directed students that lead and succeed in college, career, and their communities; with the vision of our graduates becoming the leaders who drive our Valley’s future forward--making it a thriving economic, scientific, and artistic hub for the 21st century. Our school is grounded in the following essential characteristics, which shape the Pinnacles Prep experience for our faculty, students, and families. Our school is small by design. We know every student by name, story, strength, and need. All students meet with their mentor, daily, and we communicate with their parents weekly. 

We have high expectations: Our EPIC core values guide us: 

• Equity | creates a school culture that celebrates equity and inclusion for all 
• Purpose | leads to resilience which builds agency and empowerment
• Integrity | leads to loving accountability and a strong community where everyone belongs 
• Collaboration | leads to change we want to see in our school, community, and world

We are intentionally diverse:
Pinnacles Prep’s students, staff and board is intentionally diverse. We come from different backgrounds and experiences in order to be reflective of the collective diversity of our student body and community. Our staff validates and reflects the multiple identities, intersectionalities and experiences of our students.

We value context over content:
Students engage in 9-week, place-based interdisciplinary projects rooted in the Wenatchee Valley, with a community partner. These projects apply the standards and competencies students are learning in their foundational courses. 

WHO YOU ARE

• You have an asset-based mindset: You see every student, their background and story as an asset 
• You authentically value relationships: You are excited to mentor scholars daily, helping them find their purpose.  
• You love kids AND have high expectations for all: Your love and empathy don’t preclude you from ensuring students meet their growth goals. 
• You are excited by Pinnacles Prep’s Mission and Vision: You believe that ALL students can be fully ready for college, career and to engage with their community.   
• You have a growth mindset: You thrive on feedback so you can grow, and you expect the same for kids   
• You are passionate about student voice and choice: You believe that students should have ownership of their learning and facilitating passion projects is a goal. 
• You are a data geek: You use data to drive decisions in your classroom, and collaborating with staff around data to make our school a better place is refreshing. 
• You love to collaborate: You are craving to work with teachers outside of your content area on projects.

WHAT YOUR SCHOOL YEAR / DAY LOOKS LIKE:

SUMMER INSTITUTE: In order to become fully prepared for Pinnacles Prep’s Interdisciplinary, project-based high school model, you will attend a 2-week summer institute. Here, you learn and practice our values, culture, systems, and curriculum. You will visit each of your mentees through a family visit where you connect with each student, meet their families, make authentic connections, and build relationships. 

INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION  Each week, you meet with the high school team to track team progress towards place-based projects. You meet at least once per week for 30 minutes with the high school special education specialist on UDL modifications for your curriculum. You meet for another 30 minutes with your co-teacher to internalize the lessons for the week and the roles each of you play. Additionally, with your co-teacher, you ensure grades are up to date and entered into the LMS at the end of each week. 

EACH QUARTER: At the end of each quarter you celebrate our student learning through Exhibition Night where students showcase their project creations to our whole community. You meet every parent through student led- conferences, and feel excited that you're not the one doing all the talking.  You have one non-teaching day at each quarter’s end where you participate in a school-wide data day, tracking school-wide growth goals. 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Instructional Assistant Co-Teacher supports classroom teachers in providing high-quality instruction and individualized support to middle and/or  high school scholars. This role works directly with students in small groups and one-on-one settings to reinforce academic skills, support mastery of learning targets, and help create a positive, engaging classroom environment.

Instructional Assistants play an important role in ensuring that all students—particularly those who benefit from additional support—can access rigorous instruction and achieve academic growth.

Student Academic Support

• Co plan with teacher and help facilitate full group   
• Provide small-group and one-on-one academic support in core subject areas such as math, literacy, science, and social studies.
• Reinforce teacher-designed lessons, learning targets, and assignments.
• Support scholars in completing classwork, projects, and performance tasks.
• Assist students in developing organization, study habits, and time management skills.
• Monitor student progress and provide feedback to the classroom teacher.

Classroom Support

• Assist teachers with classroom routines, transitions, and supervision.
• Help prepare instructional materials and classroom resources.
• Support differentiated instruction and inclusive learning environments.
• Help maintain a positive, respectful, and productive classroom culture.
• Work closely with classroom teachers to support instructional goals.
• Communicate observations about student progress and needs.
• Participate in team meetings or professional learning when appropriate.
• Collaborate with special education staff and intervention teams when assigned.

Student Engagement and Support

• Build positive relationships with scholars and encourage engagement in learning.
• Support students in developing confidence, persistence, and independence.
• Assist in supervising students during transitions, advisory, lunch, and other school activities.
• Support restorative and positive behavior approaches when needed.

Additional Operational Duties

• Support field trips, exhibitions, performances, and school events.
• Assist with student supervision before school, lunch, during passing periods, and after school as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned by school leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS

• AA or Undergraduate degree preferred
• Ability to make good decisions. 
• Patient, flexible, self-motivated, good communication, teamwork, academic skills and positive social skills and a sense of humor. Ability to relate well to students, parents and staff.  
• May require lifting, prolonged sitting or standing.  Attendance and punctuality are important functions of this position.  

COMPENSATION

Salary is  $18.00-25.00/hr. All employees receive a full benefits package, and enrollment into the WA School Employees Benefits program.   

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: Equal employment opportunity and respect in the workplace are fundamental principles at Pinnacles Prep. Pinnacles Prep prohibits and does not tolerate harassment, intimidation, bullying, discriminatory, or retaliatory behavior. All aspects of your employment are based upon your personal capabilities and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion/creed, sex/gender (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, disability, age, military status, marital status, partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or any other protected class as established by federal, state, or local law.  The following employee has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Please contact Jill Fineis, Principal, jill@pinnaclesprep.org.