Student Development Assistant (29 hours/week)

Job Summary

A Student Development Assistant, reporting to the Program Director, supports students within the Highfive THRIVE Lab therapeutic classroom setting by providing direct, trauma-informed social, emotional, behavioral, and academic support.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct Student Support: Assist with delivering/facilitating academic instruction, providing individualized academic and social-emotional instruction and support aligned with students' home school curriculum and personalized learning plans.
• Implement individualized behavior support plans and therapeutic interventions.
• Facilitate group activities, including daily circles and mindfulness exercises.
• Provide real-time progress monitoring and coaching for each student throughout the day.
• Model and co-regulate with students, reinforcing emotional safety and self-regulation strategies.
• Therapeutic Intervention Implementation: Support the implementation of Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) through collaborative problem-solving conversations with students. Integrate DBT-informed skills training (e.g., mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness) into daily interactions and lessons. Utilize and guide students in "Calm Down Corners" or "Zones of Regulation."
• Support daily Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons and facilitate behavior reflections.
• Apply restorative justice techniques when conflicts or rule violations occur, focusing on repairing harm and building accountability.
• Collaboration & Communication: Participate in bi-weekly Highfive THRIVE Lab staff meetings to review student cases and feedback. Collaborate with the Program Director, classroom teacher, Student Development Learning Specialist, and site staff to ensure IEP/504 accommodations are met. Engage with families through daily communication and home-based implementation support. Work closely with the Program Director and other team members to ensure consistent application of the Highfive THRIVE Lab model.
• Community Engagement: Facilitate and support building a community engagement event to engage the Appo Community. Facilitate learning opportunities for Appo Community stakeholders.
• Logistics: Working hours follow the regular school day schedule of the assigned school site within the Appoquinimink School District at a maximum of 29 hours a week. Weekly schedule is to be determined by the Program Director. Laptop will be provided by district with district and Highfive access for resources.

Qualifications

• Certified para-professional or equivalent experience in an educational or therapeutic support role.
• Demonstrated understanding of trauma-informed care and restorative practices.
• Experience working with students in need of intensive behavioral and emotional support and engage in de-escalation and physical management strategies.
• Ability to implement academic and therapeutic interventions effectively.
• Strong communication, empathy, and relationship-building skills.
• Capacity to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.