Teaching Assistant/Tutor, Asian Arts Initiative

Posted by on August 05, 2010

[emailed 7/28/10]

Asian Arts Initiative is a multi-disciplinary community-based arts center offering performances, exhibitions, workshops, and training for artists, youth, and adults of all racial backgrounds. Founded in 1993, the organization is in a critical phase of growth, with the development of a new multi-cultural multi-tenant arts facility in Philadelphia’s Chinatown neighborhood, visioning for the expansion of our visual arts program, and planning for the launch of new after-school services at two Philadelphia public schools.

We are seeking four teaching assistants/tutors to work in our after-school programs at Taggart School and South Philadelphia High School starting in the 2010-2011 school year (Sept. 2010 to June 2011).  This new program is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) funds.

YOUTH ARTS WORKSHOP PROGRAM
Asian Arts Initiative will offer multi-disciplinary arts and cultural activities during the after-school hours for youth attending John H. Taggart School (grades 6-8) and South Philadelphia High School (grades 9-12).  The goal is to serve a total of sixty (60) students at each school.  The programming aims to strengthen cross cultural understanding and support academic achievement and motivation/attendance needs.

POSITION OVERVIEW
The Teaching Assistant/Tutor will be supervised by the Program Assistant and will perform support services to help youth thrive in the Youth Arts Workshop program.  The Teaching Assistant/Tutor will work with a Teaching Artist to help lead a class of 30 students four afternoons per week, Mondays to Thursdays.  Disciplines may focus on video-making and new media, creative writing, poetry, performance, painting, drawing, music and/or movement.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1.    Maintains accurate attendance records and provides information to Program Assistant.  Assists with data collection for program records.
2.    Works with individual or small groups of students on activities as directed by the Teaching Artists.
3.    Monitors small group activities and assists students with the development of skills being taught.  Provides positive reinforcement to motivate and acknowledge acceptable behavior
4.    Assists in preparation of and distribution of materials.  Maintains and inventories equipment and supplies.
5.    Supervises the safe arrival and departure of students in the classroom (or program location).  Assist with supervision of students on field trips.
6.    Performs other related duties as assigned.

Additional Responsibilities:
•    Paid attendance at an orientation meeting at Asian Arts Initiative in August/September, 2010.
•    Paid attendance at a weekly one-hour planning meeting with Asian Arts Initiative staff

REQUIREMENTS:
•    Previous experience as a community teaching assistant/instructional aide.
•    Previous experience working with urban youth and a strong classroom presence.  Experience working in Philadelphia public school context helpful.
•    Access to reliable transportation.
•    A criminal record check and PA Child Abuse Clearance must be provided.

SCHEDULE:
•    August/September 2010:  orientation meeting at Asian Arts Initiative, exact day and time TBA
•    September 13, 2010 – June 17, 2011:  Mondays – Thursdays, at schools 2:45PM to 5:30PM (times subject to change but will be 2.75 hours daily) plus additional 1-hour weekly staff meeting

COMPENSATION:  $8/hour

APPLICATION: Please prepare a cover letter describing your interest and experience, resume and references.  Please indicate “Teaching Assistant Position” on email subject line.  For delivery instructions and updates about status of the position, please visit: http://asianartsinitiative.org/involved/jobs.php

DEADLINE: August 6, 2010 or until positions are filled