Teacher Assistant

YAI • New York, NY

10d • $22 - $24

About The Position

The Teacher Assistant supports teachers and students in assigned classrooms, helping deliver educational activities and individualized instructional, therapeutic, behavioral, and personal-care supports in alignment with MSA’s mission. The role supports students’ independence and educational and social goals by following individualized plans, assisting with activities of daily living, monitoring and documenting student progress, and maintaining a safe and clean classroom. Teacher Assistants may facilitate small academic groups, provide one-on-one support, assist with special classes and activities, and help prepare instructional materials. They collaborate with teachers, therapists, classroom staff, and supervisors, and may provide coverage for 1:1 Teachers Aides or perform teaching duties using provided curriculum and lesson plans when a teacher is absent.

The position includes supporting students’ health and safety in classrooms and community settings, following feeding protocols, responding to challenging behaviors using approved techniques, assisting with emergency evacuations, and protecting confidential student information. Experienced Teacher Assistants may be assigned to the Behavior or Transition Department, where duties can include coordinating supports across settings, collecting data, implementing behavior or person-centered plans, and supporting students at internship or employment sites. Transition assignments may involve travel across New York City, travel training, and on-the-job skills coaching. Behavior assignments may involve students with complex social-emotional and behavioral needs.

Applicants must hold or be actively pursuing New York State Teacher Assistant certification and registration, meet the applicable examination and workshop requirements, and obtain certification within 90 days of appointment if not already certified. The role requires effective communication and collaboration, patience and empathy, sound judgment in stressful situations, willingness to provide personal care, basic Microsoft Office and office-equipment proficiency, and the physical capacity to meet the demands described in the posting. Additional qualifications apply to assignments in the Transition and Behavior Departments.

Requirements

• Hold current New York State Education Department Teacher Assistant certification and registration, or be actively pursuing them.
• Provide satisfactory proof of passing the NYSTCE Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills (ATAS) examination and completing required workshops: Child Abuse Identification and Reporting, Dignity for All Students Act, and School Violence Prevention and Intervention.
• Obtain NYSED Teacher Assistant certification within 90 days of appointment if not already certified, and maintain certification for the duration of the assignment.
• Show enthusiasm for working with children with disabilities and demonstrate initiative, positivity, patience, empathy, and compassion.
• Have effective written and oral communication skills, including the ability to motivate, listen, observe, and collect data supporting individualized plans and student goals.
• Remain calm, think clearly, use an appropriate tone, and exercise good judgment in stressful situations, including when responding to challenging behavior.
• Be willing and able to assist with a variety of supports and activities of daily living, including toileting and diapering.
• Have strong interpersonal skills and be able to collaborate effectively with classroom and other MSA staff.
• Have basic proficiency with Microsoft Word and Outlook and be able to use common office equipment and electronic systems.
• Meet the role’s physical demands, including frequent walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling, reaching, and handling objects or controls.
• Be able to assist with lifting or moving students of any weight using mechanical lifts or other equipment, support students with standing or sitting, push students in wheelchairs, and occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds.
• Have the physical capacity to implement emergency interventions in accordance with a student’s Behavior Support Plan, including lifting or moving individuals with or without equipment or staff assistance, or running.
• For Transition Department assignments: hold and maintain current NYSED Teacher Assistant certification; have at least two years of experience working with students in special education, ideally ages 12–21, or a satisfactory equivalent combination of education, experience, or training authorized by school leadership.
• For Transition Department assignments: be willing to work a flexible schedule and regularly travel across New York City to accompany students to internship and employment sites.
• For Transition Department assignments: be able to provide workplace support, interact with employers, and model work-readiness skills and appropriate workplace behavior.
• For Behavior Department assignments: hold and maintain current NYSED Teacher Assistant certification; have at least two years of experience with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and complex social-emotional and behavioral needs in an ABA or similar setting, or qualifying formal training/coursework or pursuit of a Behavior Analysis Certification Board credential, or a satisfactory equivalent combination authorized by school leadership.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience with neurodivergent children ages 3–21.
• College coursework or formal training in special education or a related discipline.
• For Transition Department assignments, experience working with students in special education, ideally students aged 12–21.
• For Behavior Department assignments, experience working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and complex social-emotional and behavioral needs in an ABA or similar setting, or relevant formal training or coursework.

Responsibilities

• Support the teacher with classroom educational activities and provide general and instructional assistance to teachers and individual students.
• Follow applicable classroom health and safety policies, individualized student plans, schedules, and behavioral interventions.
• Support students’ independence and educational needs, including personal care and activities of daily living such as toileting and diapering.
• Observe student behavior, prompt students, implement individualized supports, and document relevant data in collaboration with classroom staff.
• Facilitate small academic groups according to teacher instructions, lesson plans, student needs, and academic goals; provide one-on-one support as requested.
• Assist with special classes and classroom activities, including gym, art, and music, and support students or 1:1 Teachers Aides during activities.
• Obtain and prepare equipment, materials, and resources for instruction; make copies and collect, file, or distribute classroom items and documents.
• Document or escalate information about student progress, concerns, or issues to the teacher or supervisor in accordance with applicable procedures.
• Follow student feeding protocols and ensure meals are prepared and provided safely and appropriately.
• Promote the health and safety of students, self, and others, including responding to challenging behaviors and using approved physical-intervention techniques when needed.
• Help keep the assigned classroom clean, including cleaning the kitchen, pantries, and classroom and ensuring 1:1 Teachers Aides maintain students’ desks.
• Help coordinate student schedules and activities and facilitate communication between classroom teachers and therapists.
• Support students’ health and safety in community settings, including keeping groups together, helping students navigate obstacles, and implementing behavioral supports.
• Attend classroom, student-specific, schoolwide, interdepartmental, and training meetings as requested.
• Assist with facility evacuations during emergencies in accordance with applicable procedures.
• Comply with regulatory requirements, HIPAA, confidentiality rules, and protections for sensitive student data.
• Provide coverage by performing 1:1 Teachers Aide duties when needed.
• May provide instruction based on provided curriculum and lesson plans when the teacher is absent.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• For Behavior or Transition Department assignments, collaborate with education, related-services, and classroom staff regarding student plans, goals, data collection, and supports.
• For Transition Department assignments, accompany students to internship and employment sites across New York City and provide travel training, job-skills coaching, and workplace-readiness support.
• For Behavior or Transition Department assignments, help identify student goals and ambitions and participate in developing and implementing person-centered strategies and plans.
• For Behavior Department assignments, provide positive social and emotional support in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team and help de-escalate situations requiring immediate intervention.
• Attend additional training and meetings related to students’ specialized behavioral, social-emotional, transition, or other support needs.

Benefits

• Tuition reimbursement
• Medical and dental insurance, with family and more extensive medical plan options, as well as vision
• Paid Time Off and School Holidays
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Discounts on travel, entertainment, wireless services, shopping, and more

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed