Bridges Academy is dedicated to understanding and educating gifted and highly gifted students with learning differences (twice-exceptional or 2e students) and fostering a successful academic and social experience for our students and the broader community. We do this through the work of two divisions: Bridges Academy (LA) and The Center for Twice-Exceptional Research and Professional Development (The 2e Center).

Bridges Academy (LA), a college preparatory school for Grades 3-12, empowers its students to thrive academically and socially through small classes and differentiated instruction, creating an environment in which gifts are recognized and developed and learning differences and disabilities are accepted. Many students come to Bridges defined by their challenges but graduate defined by their strengths and talents.

For the 2025-2026 school year, Bridges Academy LA is looking for an enthusiastic and committed 3rd grade teaching assistant. Bridges seeks a candidate who loves kids, has some experience working with primary and/or intermediate elementary-age children in a school, camp, or extracurricular setting, and who is eager to learn more about the education of gifted, neurodiverse students. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Supporting students and lead teacher during class time
• Assisting in the preparation and implementation of project-based learning experiences guided by students’ strengths, talents, and interests
• Assisting in the planning for students’ language, literacy, and numeracy development
• Occasional group or one-on-one instruction
• Supervising students during recess and lunch time
• Chaperoning field trips and other excursions
• Participating in division, department, grade level, and all school meetings

Bridges Academy wishes to prepare students for life by offering a rich experiential learning environment in which students are safe to explore, discover, and make meaning. To that end, students are offered choices that challenge them while bolstering their strengths and talents.

Nondiscrimination Policy

Bridges Academy is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions based on merit. We aim to have the best available person in every job. School policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), religion (including religious beliefs, observance, or practice, including religious dress or grooming practices), color, sex (including gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, transitioned, transitioning, or perceived to be transitioning), sexual orientation (including heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality), national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital status, pregnancy and breastfeeding, age, medical condition, genetic characteristics or information, military and veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. The policy also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of these characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of these characteristics. Additionally, Bridges Academy does not permit discrimination based on dressing consistently with one’s gender identity or gender expression, or preferred gender, name, or pronoun usage.

Required education and experience:

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in education, child development, or related field
• Previous experience working with primary to intermediate-age children; prior school setting preferred

A successful candidate will:

• Develop warm, trusting relationships with students and adults
• Provide a positive environment in which students are encouraged to be actively engaged in the learning process
• Demonstrate integrity, initiative, self-awareness, and a growth mindset for both students and themselves
• Demonstrate flexibility, sound judgment, strong social skills, and the ability to read, assess, imagine, evaluate, calculate, and make wise decisions
• Demonstrate strong communication skills in person, in writing, by phone, and via Zoom
• Show enthusiasm, creativity, and compassion
• Work comfortably in a team environment

Lastly, ideal candidates will have the following knowledge base:

• Understanding of gifted, neurodiverse elementary students and their development
• Understanding of social emotional development, executive function support, and a willingness to learn more
• Knowledge of problem and project-based learning
• Knowledge of Google Classroom and the willingness to learn new technology