Special Education Teaching Assistant

Appletreeinstitute; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 47,000 - 49,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits in the 95th percentile of schools

Fully covered dental

Competitive Paid Time Off

AppleTree Scholarship for continued education

Job summary

Appletreeinstitute is hiring a Special Education Teaching Assistant in Washington, DC. The role involves providing tailored support to children with Individualized Educational Plans (IEP) under the guidance of instructional teams. As a crucial part of the classroom, you will engage with students and families to enhance learning environments.

The position offers competitive health benefits and opportunities for professional development, making it ideal for those passionate about supporting children with special needs.

Qualifications

• Prior work or volunteer experience with children or students with special needs.
• Must be able to climb stairs and lift 45 lbs.
• Interested in working with students with disabilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual instructional support for children with IEPs.
• Collaborate with families to support children’s development.
• Teach acceptance and appreciation of others.

Skills

Strong writing skills to document daily outcomes

Energetic and reliable

Strong communication skills

Solution-focused, collaborative work style

Ability to work with diverse student populations

Education

Associate's degree or higher

Child Development Associates credential

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Special Education Teaching Assistant

Professional Washington, DC, US

Salary Range: $47,000.00 To $49,500.00 Annually

Position Summary

During the instructional day, the Special Education Teacher Assistant works within the instructional team consisting of either the lead teacher or co‑leads. This incumbent provides individual instructional support for children with Individualized Educational Plans (IEP) using intensive, evidence‑based strategies under the direct supervision of the Compliance Manager and secondary supervision from the campus principal. Training will be provided upon hiring.

What you’ll do

• Supports the creation of environments and instructional opportunities that meet the needs of diverse learners.
• Coordinates with related service providers, as appropriate, to integrate best practices into daily learning opportunities.
• Uses information and data from a variety of sources to understand children’s instructional needs and progress against IEP goals.
• Provides individualized developmental, behavioral, and academic supports to improve children’s skill development in support of children’s IEP goals.
• Consistently implements developmental, behavioral, and academic strategies outlined in children’s IEPs through individual, small group, and whole‑group instructional opportunities.
• Interprets written teaching strategies, collects and documents data, and summarizes the results.
• Supports the establishment of rich and engaging physical learning environments.
• Ensures a safe, clean, attractive and engaging centers‑based classroom that encourages both exploration and complex play for children with special needs.
• Fosters tolerance and a sense of community in classrooms, modeling and explicitly teaching acceptance and appreciation of others.
• Works with the teaching team to ensure the classroom contains sufficient supplies and materials for individualized instructional support.
• Assists young children with personal hygiene, meals and other daily activities.
• Collaborates with families and communities to support children’s social, emotional and cognitive development.
• Actively seeks to make connections with the families of children.
• Develops an effective rapport with children and families.
• Communicates the individual children’s goals and progress to families and ways in which the family can support their child at home.
• Listens to families’ feedback and suggestions regarding their children’s strengths, opportunities, challenges and successes.
• Contributes to a Community of Practice.
• Plans collaboratively and shares ideas and resources with the instructional team.
• Collaborates with the teaching team to evaluate instructional effectiveness and to modify instructional approaches based on feedback.
• Actively participates in professional development opportunities provided and seeks out additional professional development.
• Fulfills the standards of professionalism, including appropriate dress, attendance and timeliness.

What we’re looking for

• Obtained an associate’s (or higher) degree; or Child Development Associates credential.
• Prior work or volunteer experience with children or students with special needs.
• Committed to meeting the needs of a diverse student population.
• Strong writing skills to document daily outcomes.
• Energetic, reliable, integrity‑driven and strong communication skills to ensure effective, positive interactions with the teaching team, staff, parents, and children.
• A solution‑focused, collaborative work style, patience, and a sense of humor.
• Must be able to climb stairs and lift 45 lbs.; this position may require you to change pull‑ups.
• Interested in working with students with disabilities and possesses the interpersonal skills to be playful, enthusiastic, and bring a high level of energy into the classroom setting.
• Able to develop an effective rapport with children and families.

What’s in it for you

• Employee Health Benefits that are in the 95th percentile of other schools in the DC Metro Area.
• Fully covered Dental.
• Benefits for you and all eligible dependents.
• Fully covered Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Accidental Death and Dismemberment and Life insurance with buy‑up options.
• Free Online Wellness Platform for you and up to 4 eligible dependents.
• Competitive Paid Time Off, including early close Mental Health Days.
• 5% Employer Contribution to your Retirement Account (whether you contribute or not).
• AppleTree Scholarship to pay for continued education.
• Network Professional Development Opportunities.