Position Title: Academic Assistant | Elementary School
Location: New Haven, CT
Reports To: School Principal
Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt
Start Date: Immediate Opening (SY26-27)
Salary Range: $30,000 - $35,000, commensurate with experience
- Note: Candidates who are interested in and eligible for participation in our Teacher Residency Pathway may be considered for compensation of up to $40,000.
About Booker T. Washington Academy
Booker T. Washington Academies (BTWA) in New Haven, CT, serves K–4 scholars at its Elementary campus and grades 5–8 at its Middle School campus. Founded in 2014 around Booker T. Washington’s credo - “Excellence is doing common things in uncommon ways” - BTWA balances a rigorous academic program with the cultivation of morals, character, self-discipline, responsibility for one’s actions, lifestyle, work ethic, and educational uplift.
Scholars develop proficiency in reading, writing, critical thinking, discussion, and problem-solving to meet college and career goals, while embracing and demonstrating the morals, character, self-discipline, and work ethic to be leaders in life and community.
Recognized as a Connecticut School of Distinction in 2018 (Category 1) and again in 2024 (Category 2) - the only New Haven public school honored that year - BTWA equips graduates to work hard, harness the power of education, elevate themselves, and give back to their communities in a transformational way.
For more information about Booker T. Washington Academy, please visit www.btwanewhaven.org http://www.btwanewhaven.org
About the Opportunity
Booker T. Washington Academy Elementary campus is seeking a full-time Academic Assistant to join our inclusive, equity-centered team. In this hands‑on role, you will work closely with teachers to support classroom instruction, school operations, and the overall student experience. Academic Assistants play an important role in supporting and contributing to a positive learning environment that helps foster positive student experience and outcomes, both academically and socially. The ideal candidate is reliable, student‑centered, and eager to contribute to a joyful, well‑run school community.
This is an excellent opportunity for a mission‑aligned professional who wants to enter and grow in the field of education while supporting an innovative school environment in pursuit of making a meaningful impact on the lives of students and families in New Haven.
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Key Responsibilities of the Role
As an Academic Assistant (AA) at BTWA ES, you will be primarily responsible for:
- Support for Teachers & Staff
- Support teachers with classroom routines, lesson preparation, and essential administrative tasks.
- Help organize and maintain classroom materials, resources, and equipment.
- Coordinate with teachers to ensure smooth implementation of academic and enrichment programs.
- Assist with supervision during arrival, lunch/recess, transitions, dismissal, and other common school routines.
- Provide classroom coverage and support as needed.
- Student Support
- Provide academic support to students, including tutoring, small‑group help, and assistance with assignments.
- Monitor and encourage student engagement, contributing to focused, joyful, and supportive classroom environments.
- Support students throughout the day in core content classes and enrichment blocks.
- Assist with supervision of extracurricular activities, school events, and community‑building experiences.
- Collaborate with teachers and administrators to enhance the academic and social experience for all students.
- Administrative Support
- Maintain accurate records and documentation, including attendance and basic student information.
- Assist with scheduling and organizing parent‑teacher conferences, meetings, and school events.
- Support the preparation and distribution of school communications, newsletters, and family updates.
- Resource & Materials Management
- Help manage and update the inventory of instructional materials and supplies.
- Assist with the coordination and upkeep of educational technology and classroom tools.
- Collaboration, Programmatic Support, & Contribution Beyond the Classroom
- Support common school routines - Contribute to smooth, safe, and joyful daily operations by supporting arrival, dismissal, lunch, recess, and transitions with consistency and care.
- Build community through homeroom/advisory support - Help create welcoming homeroom or advisory spaces that foster authentic relationships, community‑building, and positive social‑emotional development.
- Strengthen school-wide systems and traditions - Support the design and implementation of school-wide routines, rituals, and celebrations - including exhibitions, performances, and community events that uplift BTWA’s identity and celebrate scholar voice.
- Contribute to school-wide initiatives - Take ownership of special projects and shared responsibilities that advance BTWA’s mission and enhance scholars’ academic and character development.
- Model professionalism and a growth mindset - Approach all responsibilities with reliability, flexibility, and a commitment to contributing positively to the broader school community.
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Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate
While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:
Required Qualifications
- High school diploma required; bachelor’s degree preferred.
- Experience in an educational setting is preferred but not required.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively and contribute positively to a team environment.
- Demonstrated commitment to educational equity, youth development, social‑emotional learning, restorative practices, and culturally responsive approaches.
- Ability to help create classroom environments where students feel safe, supported, and challenged.
- Comfort with basic educational technology (e.g., Chromebooks, Google Suite, learning platforms).
- Familiarity with culturally responsive practices, restorative approaches, or social‑emotional learning frameworks.
- A reflective mindset and personal accountability for supporting student growth and positive school culture.
- Deep alignment with the mission and values of Elevate Charter Schools and Booker T. Washington Academy, including a steadfast belief in the potential of every student.
Preferred Qualifications
- Associate’s degree or higher - Coursework in education, child development, psychology, or a related field is a plus.
- Interest in pursuing a career in education, including potential participation in BTWA/ECS’s Resident Teacher Pathway.
- Experience working with students in a teaching, mentoring, tutoring, camp counseling, or youth development setting.
- Prior experience in a school environment supporting teachers, students, or classroom routines.
- Experience supporting diverse learners, including multilingual students and students with IEPs or 504 plans, is helpful but not required.
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Mindsets We Value
Our team is passionately committed to the vision and values of Elevate Charter Schools and Booker T. Washington Academy. The ideal candidate will have a positive mindset, a very strong work ethic, an inner drive for excellence, and will thrive working in an entrepreneurial and results-driven environment
Additionally, we deeply value, and are actively seeking candidates who demonstrate the following mindsets and beliefs:
- Mission-Driven: In addition to deeply aligning and embodying the mission and values of ECS and BTWA, you believe in the brilliance and promise of all students, particularly students of color, and want to be part of their success story.
- Growth-Oriented: You welcome feedback, are deeply reflective on your personal practices, and are constantly seeking to improve your craft.
- Entrepreneurial: You are flexible, solutions-focused, and energized by the opportunity to build something from the ground up.
- Collaborative: You thrive in a team-based culture and believe that collective effort drives school success.
- Commitment to Excellence: You hold yourself, and others, to the highest of standards and have a student-centric, “whatever it takes” mentality to create a learning community where all students and stakeholders can grow and thrive.
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Compensation and Benefits
At Elevate Charter Schools, we are committed to ensuring fair and equitable compensation based on the skills and qualifications required for the role. Our salaries are set through a lens of equity and based on an individual’s skills, education, and years of experience relevant to the role.
The salary range for an Academic Assistant is $30,000 to $35,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications, and reflective of the responsibilities and expertise needed to succeed in this position.
- Note: Candidates who are interested in and eligible for participation in our Teacher Residency Pathway may be considered for compensation of up to $40,000.
In addition to competitive compensation, Elevate offers a range of comprehensive benefits packages to all regular, full-time employees at a competitive value.
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Physical Requirements
This position requires the ability to perform the following physical activities with or without reasonable accommodation:
- Mobility: Ability to move around the school building and classrooms, attend meetings, and participate in professional development activities.
- Vision: Clear vision to engage with students and stakeholders in a variety of settings and to monitor classrooms/school environments for student safety and well-being.
- Hearing: Ability to hear conversations and presentations in various settings.
- Communication: Clear speech to effectively communicate with teachers, staff, administrators, and families/caregivers.
- Occasional Physical Demands: Ability to lift and carry light materials (such as books and documents), bend or reach to access files or materials, and stand for extended periods during meetings or presentations.
- Stamina: Ability to lead instruction across the school day with sustained energy and focus.
Elevate Charter Schools is committed to providing a supportive work environment and will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.
Elevate Charter Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Elevate Charter Schools is a non-profit charter management organization serving charter schools in Connecticut's inner cities. Our scholars are 99% Black and brown, and Elevate greatly values inclusion and diversity in our staff.
Guided by a commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment for all stakeholders, Elevate encourages individuals of all backgrounds and experiences to apply, especially those who share a similar background to the communities we serve.
If you have questions about the application process, experience any challenges, or need support completing your application, please reach out to our talent team at talent@elevatecharters.org. We are committed to ensuring an accessible and welcoming experience for all candidates.
