Special Education Teacher Aide

Racker • Ithaca, NY

9d

About The Position

Racker is hiring a full-time Special Education Teacher Aide to support the development and well-being of children ages 3–5 in an inclusive educational setting. The position is 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, and is a 12-month role that follows the daycare calendar. The aide spends time in each of Racker’s classrooms, working alongside Special Education Teachers, Teacher Assistants, other Teacher Aides, Daycare Teachers, and clinical services such as physical, occupational, and speech therapies.

The role supports individual children and classroom needs under the guidance of the classroom teacher. It includes helping children participate in learning and daily routines, implementing individualized strategies, maintaining records, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team. The hourly rate is $17.75. Racker offers tuition assistance, health insurance, and a 20% childcare-services discount for children and grandchildren of full-time staff.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Must be at least 18 years old on the date of hire.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, organizational abilities, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to physically assist children to participate in the program.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to engage in repetitive movements such as sitting or kneeling on the floor, bending, and stooping.
• Ability to move quickly to attend to a running child.

Nice To Haves

• One year of special education or early childhood-related work experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support individual children and overall classroom needs under the guidance of the classroom teacher.
• Contribute to implementing IEPs to support children’s instructional and social-emotional growth in large-group, one-on-one, and small-group settings, embedding learning throughout the day.
• Assist children with daily tasks such as toileting, feeding, dressing, lifting, and positioning.
• Implement individualized strategies consistently as directed by the teacher.
• Maintain accurate records and complete program-related documentation.
• Participate respectfully in a multidisciplinary team, including daily debriefs and weekly team meetings.
• Adhere to professional standards of behavior and dress while contributing to a positive work culture.
• Attend required training and uphold program regulations.
• Accept feedback, show initiative, and contribute to the development of the educational setting.

Benefits

• Tuition assistance.
• Health insurance.
• 20% discount on childcare services for children and grandchildren of full-time staff.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED