Special Education Instructional Assistant - Bridge

Andover Public Schools; Andover (MA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The BRIDGE program at Andover Public Schools is an intensive, ABA-based initiative supporting students on the autism spectrum. The team includes a special education teacher, instructional assistants, and consultant professionals to promote independence across academics, communication, self-care, social, and daily living skills.

Responsibilities focus on daily routines, data collection, and implementing behavioral strategies while coordinating with staff and families to ensure consistent progress

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of college or equivalent two years experience working with children.
• Preferred knowledge/experience of working with students on the autism spectrum.
• Preferred Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) knowledge and/or experience.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and assist students as needed in their daily routines across classroom activities and/or settings.
• Assist in collecting data for behavioral or academic progress.
• Initiate and follow through with behavioral interventions as designated and demonstrated by the classroom teacher.
• Participate in staff meetings regarding classroom curricular expectations as well as student needs across all developmental areas.
• Lead and/or facilitate teaching of individuals in 1:1, small group, or whole class instruction.
• Assist individual students as necessary to follow routines, follow directions, follow an individual schedule, and/or complete tasks.
• Monitor students at all times including on/off the bus, lunch, and times of transition.
• Assist with students requiring self-help skills in the areas of safety, eating, and toileting.
• Create materials as time allows and directed by teacher.
• Prepare room daily for instruction in the morning or end of day as designated by teacher.
• Remain professional and keep student information confidential at all times.

Education

Two years of college or equivalent

Job description

The BRIDGE program is a specialized, intensive program based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis that serves students on the Autism Spectrum. The program consists of a special education teacher, supporting instructional assistants, and consultation from a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Speech and Language Pathologist, and Occupational Therapist. The services provide to students in this program include a combination of discrete trial training, supported inclusion, small group activities, and incidental teaching. The goal of the program is for students to increase their independent skills in all areas, including academics, recreation, social, communication, self-care, motor, behavior regulation, as well as the generalization of these skills to new situations and environments.

Responsibilities

• 1. Monitor and assist students as needed in their daily routines across classroom activities and/or settings.
• 2. Assist in collecting data for behavioral or academic progress.
• 3. Initiate and follow through with behavioral interventions as designated and demonstrated by the classroom teacher.
• 4. Participate in staff meetings regarding classroom curricular expectations as well as student needs across all developmental areas.
• 5. Lead and/or facilitate teaching of individuals in 1:1, small group, or whole class instruction.
• 6. Assist individual students as necessary to follow routines, follow directions, follow an individual schedule, and/or complete tasks.
• 7. Monitor students at all times including on/off the bus, lunch, and times of transition.
• 8. Assist with students requiring self-help skills in the areas of safety, eating, and toileting.
• 9. Create materials as time allows and directed by teacher.
• 10. Prepare room daily for instruction in the morning or end of day as designated by teacher.
• 11. Remain professional and keep student information confidential at all times.

Qualifications

• 1. Minimum of two years of college or equivalent two years experience working with children
• 2. Preferred knowledge/experience of working with students on the autism spectrum
• 3. Preferred Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) knowledge and/or experienceAndover Public Schools (APS) seeks candidates who embody our ethos, which includes valuing the identities of all students, high expectations for all students, teaching excellence, collaboration, innovation, respect, and responsibility.

APS is committed to hiring and supporting a racially and ethnically diverse faculty and staff. Racially and ethnically diverse teachers produce a myriad of positive outcomes for all students, especially the most historically marginalized students.