Teaching Assistant-Genesis - Villa Maria School

Catholic Charities of Baltimore•Timonium, MD

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Assists in the care and education of severely emotionally disabled children within the Residential Treatment facility and within the Villa Maria School system. Within the residence, assists in supervising and helping children with before school tasks (including wakeup, dressing, personal hygiene, and breakfast, as well as all residential activities (meals, games, trips, etc.) on school holidays. Within the school, the Residential Teaching Assistant (RTA) assists in supervising children, supporting the teacher in classroom activities, and providing individual and small-group instruction as directed. The RTA escorts children within and between the residence and Villa Maria School. The work schedule is Mon-Fri 7:00am-3:00pm. Villa Maria School is a 12-month program that provides educational and clinical services for children with significant emotional, behavioral, and learning challenges. We offer multiple programs serving students from kindergarten through 8th grade in small classrooms (up to nine students) who are experiencing emotional, behavioral and learning challenges such that their local school system refers them to VMS for placement.

Requirements

High School/GED and 1 year of experience working with special populations.
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) training within 45 days of hire.
Children and Residential Experiences (CARE) training within six (6) months of hire.
CPR/First Aid within 45 days of hire.
Student-centered approach, including the ability to build trusting, respectful relationships with children who have diverse emotional, behavioral, learning, and daily living needs.
Therapeutic presence, including patience, consistency, nurturing engagement, and the ability to reinforce expectations using approved behavior management and trauma-informed practices.
Sound judgment in crisis prevention and intervention, including the ability to assess challenging situations and support effective, least-restrictive responses aligned with therapeutic goals and agency standards.
Clear communication and collaborative engagement, including oral and written communication, active listening, and professional information sharing with teachers, therapists, parents, and interdisciplinary team members.
Strong observation and documentation capabilities, including the ability to accurately recognize, record, and communicate student behavior, incidents, progress, and other information needed to support coordinated care and compliance requirements.
Professional demeanor, including courteous, respectful, and supportive interactions with students, colleagues, families, visitors, and community partners.
Reliability and accountability, including punctuality, consistent attendance, follow-through, and readiness to support classroom, residential, and program needs.
Basic technology proficiency, including the ability to use or learn computer systems, email, web-based tools, online training platforms, and software needed to perform position functions.
Performs the essential physical functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, including moving throughout classroom, residential, campus, and community settings to supervise and support students.
Maintains the physical activity needed during the workday, including standing, walking, bending, reaching, and participating in student activities as needed to support supervision, safety, and engagement.
Lifts, carries, pushes, pulls, or moves objects or equipment up to 50 pounds when necessary to support program operations and student safety.
Responds to student crisis situations using approved TCI techniques, including physical interventions only when required, in accordance with training, policy, and least-restrictive intervention standards.
Obtains and maintains required TCI certification and demonstrates continued competency in approved crisis prevention and intervention practices.
Observes student behavior, communicates effectively, and responds to safety needs in classroom, residential, campus, vehicle, and community environments, with assistive devices or accommodations as applicable.
Driving (Agency and/or personal vehicle) is required for this position. Driver must be at least 21 years of age, with a minimum of 2 years of driving experience, and a valid driver’s license issued by the state of residence. There can be no state issued restrictions on the licenses that would impede drivers’ ability to operate the vehicle as required by the Agency, and there must not be more than three (3) points on their driving record.

Responsibilities

Supports implementation of classroom lesson plans, individualized supports, and IEP-directed activities under teacher direction to promote student engagement, skill development, and progress toward established educational and therapeutic goals.
Maintains active supervision of students across classroom, residential, campus, vehicle, and community settings to promote safety, reinforce expectations, and sustain a structured therapeutic environment consistent with agency policies.
Provides individualized and small-group support for students’ learning, behavioral, emotional, and daily living needs to increase participation, independence, self-regulation, and progress toward identified goals.
Applies approved CARE, TCI, and trauma-informed practices to prevent, de-escalate, and respond to challenging or crisis situations in a manner that restores safety, supports student regulation, and uses the least restrictive intervention appropriate to the situation.
Models respectful, consistent, and developmentally appropriate interactions to build therapeutic relationships, reinforce positive behavior, and support a classroom and residential culture focused on dignity, structure, and belonging.
Documents and communicates observations, incidents, student progress, and safety concerns accurately and timely to support coordinated care, regulatory compliance, and informed decision-making by teachers, clinicians, families, and program leaders.
Collaborates with teachers, therapists, counselors, parents or guardians, residential staff, and interdisciplinary team members to align support strategies, share relevant information, and respond to student needs consistently across settings.
Escorts and transports students, including driving when assigned, within and between buildings, residences, appointments, and community activities to ensure safe, timely movement and continuous supervision.
Provides classroom coverage or instructional support in the teacher’s absence to maintain continuity of instruction, supervision, and established classroom expectations.
Follows infection control, health, safety, and reporting requirements by completing required training, modeling and reinforcing protocols, and documenting or reporting incidents, exposures, and concerns in accordance with agency and regulatory standards.
Performs other related duties as assigned to support student needs, program operations, and departmental priorities consistent with the purpose and level of the position.
Works a 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., Monday–Friday schedule to support Genesis Unit routines, school-day transitions, and assigned program coverage.
Begins the shift in the Genesis Unit to support students with morning routines and before-school expectations, helping ensure students are prepared for school or scheduled day activities.
Provides assigned Genesis Unit coverage on school-closure days, including holidays and inclement weather days, to maintain supervision, structure, and continuity of care during non-school periods.
Supports planning and implementation of developmentally appropriate activities during holidays and school breaks to promote student engagement, safety, and consistency in the Genesis residential environment.
Transports students between buildings as assigned while maintaining safe movement, supervision, and adherence to agency transportation expectations.
Obtains and maintains the required RCYCP (Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioners) license within six months to meet residential program requirements.
Receives the Villa Maria School Teacher Leave plan applicable to this position.