Teacher Assistant (Certified)

SCO Family of Services•New York, NY

10d

About The Position

The Certified Teacher Assistant supports students and teachers throughout the school day. Under teacher direction, the assistant helps deliver individual, small-group, and whole-class instruction; provides academic reinforcement and other instructional supports; and helps implement applicable IEP components and student academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and functional goals. The role also includes reinforcing classroom expectations and routines, applying positive behavioral supports and de-escalation strategies in accordance with student plans, documenting data and observations as directed, and supervising students to support their safety and well-being. The assistant collaborates with educators, service providers, families, and other team members, and helps students develop independence, communication, social interaction, self-regulation, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Hold appropriate New York State Teacher Assistant certification or actively pursue applicable certification requirements.
Patience, flexibility, professionalism, reliability, consistency, and commitment to learners with diverse learning and behavioral needs.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Education, Special Education, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field.
Experience supporting students with ED and/or ID.

Responsibilities

Assist with individual, small-group, and whole-class instruction under teacher direction.
Provide teacher-directed academic help, reinforcement, prompting, redirection, and other instructional supports.
Reinforce classroom expectations, routines, and positive behavior; redirect inappropriate behavior and help maintain a structured, safe classroom.
Apply positive supports, interventions, and appropriate de-escalation in accordance with each student’s educational and behavioral plans.
Help implement applicable IEP components and advance students’ academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and functional goals.
Collect and document student data, observations, behaviors, academic progress, and other relevant information as directed by a teacher or team.
Assist during instruction, transitions, meals, recreation, physical and health education, vocational activities, and other assigned school programs.
Foster student independence, communication, appropriate social interactions, self-regulation, problem-solving, and responsible decision-making.
Supervise students appropriately throughout the day to protect their health, safety, and well-being.
Respond calmly and professionally to challenging behaviors and crises, following school procedures and individual behavioral plans.
Collaborate with special and general educators, related-service providers, counselors, behavioral staff, administrators, families, and other team members.