Special Education Teaching Assistant

Description

The Teaching Assistant is a member of a multidisciplinary team that provides special education services to preschoolers with disabilities.  This person works under the direction of the Special Education Teacher and is responsible for sharing in the planning and daily programming for children in an inclusive preschool classroom.  The Teaching Assistant implements curriculum activities and provides educational interventions and behavioral support to children as needed.  The Teaching Assistant is accountable for providing educational support in accordance with student individualized education programs (IEPs).

Responsibilities:

• Support a welcoming, clean and orderly classroom environment that is culturally responsive and fosters high expectations for children;
• Express a supportive and caring demeanor to relate sensitively to children, families, classroom staff, and multidisciplinary providers
• Work with the Special Education Teacher and other team members to develop lesson plans and implement learning activities in the daily program;  
• Assist in all daily functions of the classroom, including setting up of activities, meals, toileting, and cleaning; 
• Review IEPs for all children in the classroom, to understand the developmental needs of the children and to assist children in progressing toward IEP goals;
• Provide educational support to children on a one-to-one basis, in small groups, and in large groups as appropriate;
• Actively engage with children through conversation and play at all times of the day, in a way that is developmentally appropriate and on their level (e.g., on the floor);
• Implement positive classroom management strategies for effective functioning of the classroom and to promote positive student-teacher interactions;
• Assist in the design and modification of the classroom environment to meet the needs of the group and individual children;
• Assist the Special Education Teacher with monitoring children’s development and learning with ongoing assessment strategies and data collection strategies;
• Participate in the development of behavioral/therapeutic interventions, and maintain consistency with implementation of interventions;
• Ensure implementation of lesson plans and consistency in programming in the absence of the Special Education Teacher, including taking on lead teacher responsibilities when appropriate;
• Attend weekly classroom/team meetings and other program meetings as directed by the Special Education Teacher and/or Program Administrator;
• Maintain professional, positive, and productive relationships with children, families, agency staff, visitors, outside agencies, and the general public;
• Follow all State Education regulations and OCFS Daycare licensing regulations, as well as Elmcrest program policies and procedures;
• Maintain up-to-date child and classroom records, including health monitoring and attendance;
• Cooperate with other staff members to maintain standards of professionalism throughout the center;
• Attend workshops, conferences, and in-service training programs as required;
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Early Education Program Administrator;
• For teaching assistants who also work during daycare hours at the Early Education Center:
  • Participate in the planning of weekly lesson plans to implement developmentally appropriate activities during daycare hours
  • Communicate effectively with parents regarding their children
  • Complete all paperwork requirements for OCFS Daycare licensing regulations and program procedures

Qualifications

• High School degree required
• Associate’s degree or Bachelor’s degree preferred, in early education, psychology, human services, or related field
• New York State Teaching Assistant certification preferred, but not required for employment
• Experience with young children a must; 
• Ability to present with warmth, nurturing and kindness a necessity;
• Team player ~ able to work in a collaborative teaming environment;
• Knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory integration, developmental delays, and behavioral interventions helpful;
• Knowledge of child development helpful;
• Knowledge of OCFS Daycare regulations helpful;

Essential Job Qualifications:

• Ability to lift 50 pounds without assistance.
• Ability to sit, squat, crouch and stand for elongated periods of time
• Ability to lift arms over head in upward reaching motion
• Ability to walk up and downstairs up to several times per day.