Instructional Aide (Year Round School)

Instructional Aide / Librarian / Substitute Teacher (Year-Round Campus)

Wage/Hour Status:

187 Days - Divided by 12 monthly checks

Gross Income: $24,560-38,675 for 187 days- Depending on experience in the classroom

Reports To:

Campus Principal

Campus:

Waco Center for Youth (WCY) – Axtell ISD, 3501 North 19th Street, Waco

Primary Purpose

Provide instructional support while maintaining a safe, structured, and therapeutic learning environment. The primary responsibility is serving as campus substitute teacher, ensuring instructional continuity. When not substituting, assist with library services, instructional support, and campus duties.

Requires dependability, adaptability, and commitment to adolescents in residential psychiatric treatment.

Excellent opportunity for individuals entering education, counseling, psychology, social work, nursing, or criminal justice to gain hands-on experience in a multidisciplinary therapeutic setting.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
• Excellent attendance, reliability, and dependability.
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate initiative with minimal supervision.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to remain calm and professional during emotionally challenging situations.
• Ability to build positive relationships while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Ability to work effectively with students who have experienced trauma and exhibit emotional or behavioral challenges.
• Commitment to supporting both the educational and therapeutic goals established for students.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with adolescents in an educational, behavioral, therapeutic, or juvenile justice setting is preferred.
• Experience as an instructional aide, substitute, or library aide preferred.
• College coursework or degree in Education, Psychology, Social Work, Criminal Justice, Nursing, or related field preferred.

Major Responsibilities and Duties

Instructional Support

• Serve as the substitute teacher for classroom teachers during planned and unplanned absences.
• Follow lesson plans and instructional materials provided by the classroom teacher.
• Maintain classroom routines, expectations, and instructional continuity.
• Assist teachers with classroom activities, small-group instruction, and student support as assigned.
• Promote a positive, structured learning environment that supports student success.

Student Support

• Build respectful, supportive relationships with students while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Encourage positive student behavior through consistency, patience, and professionalism.
• Support students' academic, behavioral, and emotional growth while following established campus procedures.

Therapeutic Support

• Follow all Waco Center for Youth therapeutic expectations and behavior management procedures.
• Work collaboratively with educational staff, treatment teams, and administration to support individualized student needs.

Documentation

• Accurately document student behaviors, classroom incidents, and observations according to campus procedures.
• Maintain accurate records as assigned.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding student educational and treatment information.

Library Responsibilities

• Assist with the organization, inventory, and daily operation of the campus library.
• Maintain instructional resources and library materials.
• Support students and staff with access to educational resources.

Other Duties

• Participate in required staff development and campus meetings.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the Campus Principal.

Working Conditions

Mental Demands

• Maintain emotional control under stress.
• Exercise sound judgment in challenging situations.
• Adapt to changing assignments and daily priorities.
• Work effectively as part of a collaborative educational and treatment team.

Physical Demands

• Frequent standing, walking, bending, lifting, and classroom supervision.
• Ability to move throughout the campus during the school day.
• Ability to respond appropriately during behavioral crises while following district and WCY safety procedures.

Work Environment

Waco Center for Youth is a residential psychiatric facility serving adolescents ages 13–17. Employees work closely with teachers, administrators, and direct care staff in a structured, trauma-informed environment.

Work Calendar

This is a full-time, year-round position.

WCY–Axtell ISD operates on a year-round schedule providing continuous educational services for students receiving full time residential therapeutic services.

The calendar generally includes:

• Three-week intersession breaks in October and March.
• Traditional holiday breaks, including Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year.
• The school year typically concludes during the last week of May.
• Staff generally return shortly after the Fourth of July to prepare for the new school year.

Why Work at WCY?

Our small campus allows staff to develop meaningful relationships with students while collaborating with a close-knit multidisciplinary team.

Beyond academics, we help students rebuild confidence, develop resilience, and prepare for successful futures.

If you are compassionate, dependable, flexible, and passionate about making a lasting difference in the lives of young people, we encourage you to apply.

Contact

Chuck Freeto

Waco Center Principal

254-745-5339

cfreeto@axtellisd.net