Classroom Assistant Teacher

St. Mary’s Catholic Church and School in Temple, Texas, seeks a dynamic disciple of Jesus who loves to encounter and make the beautiful. Our community commits daily to knowing, loving, and serving our Lord Jesus Christ and proclaiming the Good News of His Saving Grace to all we encounter. Our classical, parochial school lives out this mission by committing to our students' academic excellence and spiritual development toward prayer, service, and love. We abide by the philosophy outlined below in our educational endeavors. The Classroom Aide will bring the beauty of our faith alive for students in grades pre-K through 8 and assist the teacher(s) in all classroom management aspects. The ideal candidate should create an environment that fosters creativity and stimulates children's imagination, be capable of managing a classroom, and love what is good, true, and beautiful.

If you are a committed Catholic passionate about helping students grow closer to God while learning more about His creation, we invite you to apply today!

Philosophy of Education of St. Mary’s Catholic School:

We believe that God loves each child, and their ultimate purpose is communion with the Blessed Trinity. Therefore, we must help our students love God and neighbor wholeheartedly, think, judge, and act with the right reason, and use their education to embrace Catholic teachings and follow the example of Christ.

To accomplish this aim, the school strives to create a Christian atmosphere of care and concern in which all children may grow toward their full potential spiritually, morally, intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically. This is accomplished through encounters with what is good, true, and beautiful. The very nature of the child requires a coordinated education, which is the product of a cooperative effort by home, church, and school. Through this harmonious partnership, the aim of Catholic education is achieved.

We believe that the “effective Catholic School must call its pupils to the conviction that people are more important than material gain, justice is more important than success, love is more important than esteem, and that collaboration unites while competition divides. The truly successful Catholic School student is not necessarily successful in every endeavor, but one who accepts Christian responsibility for fulfilling personal potential and shares these gifts with others.” (Texas Catholic Conference Education Department)

Job Summary

Classroom Aide

The classroom assistant fulfills the school's mission by assisting the classroom teacher in planning, guiding, and evaluating the students' learning process in the Catholic school for whom the teacher is responsible within the framework of the school's philosophy, organization, and curriculum. The classroom assistant helps the teacher prepare instructional materials, assists with students, and supports learning activities defined by the teacher. The position is hired and evaluated by the principal.

Ministerial Character

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Austin are canonically obedient to the Bishop and assist him in fulfilling his ministry and canonical obligations. Pastors, presidents, and principals serve as leaders of the schools to make Christ's mission present and enduring in the schools. To fulfill Christ's mission, the school leaders employ suitable, chosen collaborators, sharing Christ's mission with them and entrusting them with various responsibilities.

Positions employed in this School help extend the ministry of the School leaders in particular ways as outlined in the job description. The employee in this position is closely connected to and assists the School leaders in the performance of their ministry and, therefore, engages in ministry for the Church.

Essential Duties

• Supports and upholds the philosophy of Catholic education and the mission of the school
• Acts as a witness to Gospel values by modeling the teachings of the Catholic Church
• Supports and adheres to the Code of Conduct and policies and procedures of the school and Diocese
• Maintains confidentiality regarding school matters
• Communicates effectively with students, parents, and other professionals
• Monitors and assists individual students in small instructional groups to support learning activities
• Supervises students at lunch, recess, and in routine movement
• Performs clerical tasks, prepares instructional materials, and bulletin boards as indicated by the classroom teacher
• Meets staff development guidelines as set forth by the Diocese/local administration
• Demonstrates professionalism in conduct, demeanor, and work habits
• Maintains a work schedule that maximizes availability to the school, students, and staff
• Maintains current and accurate records according to school policy
• Collaborates with peers to enhance the work environment and support instructional planning
• Demonstrates a willingness to respond to individual learning needs
• Ability to work well with students, parents, and colleagues in an instructional setting
• Ability to follow directions and handle multiple tasks
• Possesses proficient technology skills

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the basic teachings of the Catholic Church
• Able to communicate effectively in both written and verbal form
• Able to work well with others in the school community
• Skill in handling multiple tasks simultaneously
• Skill in motivating and engaging students in the learning process
• Skill in organizing and relating information in an understandable format
• Classroom Assistant Job Description (Continued Page 2 of 2)
• Skill in job appropriate technology
• Skill in critical thinking and planning

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent

Experience:

• None required

Certifications and Training:

• Sufficient training to perform tasks assigned by the principal
• Must submit an Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM) Application for Ministry within the first week of employment, participate in an EIM Basic abuse prevention training workshop within 30 days of submitting a complete Application for Ministry, and maintain EIM compliance during the entire term of employment.
• Must complete Religion Certification Part 1 within two years of the hire date, completing at least 25 hours each year.