Teaching Assistant (Brooklyn)

Gersh Autism Academy•New York, NY

109d•$23 - $23•Onsite

About The Position

The Teaching Assistant supports teachers working with students who may have academic, behavioral, and/or social deficits. The role involves teaching academic subjects and life skills, modifying instruction and materials to meet individual student needs, and helping maintain a safe, consistent, and supportive classroom environment. The Teaching Assistant collaborates with teachers and other professionals, supports students’ Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Behavior Intervention Plans, and contributes to student assessment, documentation, health, safety, and daily care. The position is based in a school/classroom setting and includes physical support of students and classroom upkeep.

Requirements

Ability to keep students safe from themselves and others and, in some cases, implement CPI therapeutic-hold procedures.
Ability to remove oneself and/or others from potentially harmful situations quickly.
Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and move throughout the workday.
Ability to lift at least 50–65 pounds and assist or physically support students, including lifting or guiding students of varying sizes.
Ability to maintain attention and focus in a dynamic, high-stimulation environment.
Ability to multitask and shift priorities quickly.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions, particularly in high-pressure or safety-sensitive situations.
Ability to work effectively as part of a team and maintain professional relationships.
Ability to perform duties under stress, including during behavioral escalations.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree preferred.
Teaching Assistant Skills Test (ATAS) preferred.
Experience working with children on the autism spectrum in a Teaching Assistant role preferred.

Responsibilities

Support teachers in using appropriate methodologies, such as Applied Behavior Analysis or Collaborative Problem Solving, or other agreed-upon methods in the student’s best interest.
Create an authentic environment by displaying student work and projects in and outside the classroom.
Maintain a consistent and safe environment for students.
Support planning and delivery of daily lessons for individual students and groups.
Modify materials as needed to teach students successfully.
Maintain accurate records by documenting relevant information in each student’s binder.
Write annual reports for each student according to specific guidelines.
Support implementation of each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) and Behavior Intervention Plan.
Administer assessments to evaluate student progress and identify areas of deficit or concern.
Collaborate with guidance staff, speech therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, behavior specialists, vocational directors, and other professionals.
Promote health and safety concepts and social interaction among students.
Participate in required trainings, team meetings, community activities, school functions, staff meetings, workshops, and open houses.
Communicate regularly with supervisors about classroom dynamics and student development.
Complete daily attendance reports.
Supervise and assist students with bathroom activities, including hourly diaper checks and diaper changes when required.
Supervise mealtime activities and clean up after snacks and meals.
Assist with rest time, including setting up and putting away cots, folding blankets, and washing and returning bottles when required.
Help maintain the arrangement, appearance, and learning environment of rooms, including sweeping floors and cleaning counters, shelves, refrigerators, and microwaves.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Keep students safe, including implementing CPI therapeutic holds when required and trained, and remove oneself or others from unsafe situations.
Lift, assist, and physically support students as needed.