Special Education Teaching Assistant SY26/27

Wellesley Public Schools•Wellesley, MA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Special Education Teaching Assistant supports the implementation of Individual Education Programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities across general and special education settings. Under the direction of a certified teacher and other designated school staff, the assistant provides instructional, social-emotional, behavioral, and other individualized supports to help students progress toward IEP goals. The role also supports classroom learning and student safety throughout the school day and at school-sponsored activities. The position requires regular attendance at specified contractual times, confidentiality regarding student and family information, and professional boundaries. The assistant is expected to work flexibly and collaboratively, adapt to changes in routines, and develop and consistently apply skills that support students’ engagement, learning, and social interactions. The position is evaluated by the Department Head or designee. Work year and salary/benefits are in accordance with the Wellesley Educators Association – Unit C CBA.

Requirements

Demonstrate aptitude for the work to be performed.
Successfully complete a Criminal Record Check (C.O.R.I.), Sexual Offender Record Check (S.O.R.I.), and fingerprinting.
Have a passion for working with children/students.
Have basic knowledge of child growth and development.
Have knowledge of basic behavioral strategies.
Have knowledge of basic learning strategies.
Complete district-approved de-escalation and safety training.
Maintain confidentiality regarding student and family information and educational records.
Maintain professional boundaries with students and their families.
Work effectively in teams, respond flexibly to changes in routines, and adapt skills and knowledge to support students.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist individual students or small groups with IEP goals, benchmarks, and related behavior plans under the guidance of teaching staff.
Provide support across school environments under the guidance of the special education liaison, related service providers, BCBA, Department Heads, and/or Principal.
Support assigned students’ academic programs, social-emotional needs, behavior programming, physical requirements, and activities of daily living (ADLs).
Use adaptive equipment, assistive technology, and instructional materials according to individual student needs.
Build positive relationships and provide appropriate support and engaging instruction to meet students’ social and emotional needs.
Collect data across settings and domains under supervision to inform relevant staff about student progress and challenges with IEP goals.
Provide coverage for special education staff and general education classroom teachers when appropriate.
Participate in in-service trainings, meetings, and training programs specific to the students served.
Reinforce materials or skills introduced by classroom teachers or special education staff.
Work with the classroom teacher to support classroom learning, prioritizing students with IEPs while contributing to the broader learning environment.
Implement IEP strategies, accommodations, and modifications supporting students’ learning, social-emotional, and behavioral goals.
Support social facilitation during school-sponsored activities.
Help implement school-wide goals for maintaining a safe environment.
Promote safety management during non-class times and activities, including recess, lunch, emergency drills, arrival and departure, hallways, field trips, bathrooms, and assemblies.
Perform other job-related tasks and duties as assigned.
Maintain regular attendance, arrive and depart at specified contractual times, and notify appropriate personnel when absent.
Complete district-approved de-escalation and safety training.
Protect the confidentiality of students’ and families’ personal information and educational records, and maintain professional boundaries.
Work flexibly and collaboratively, respond to changes in routines, and adapt and consistently apply new skills and knowledge to support student engagement.
Integrate into the classroom setting and support student engagement under the direction of the classroom teacher and/or special education department head.