Teacher Assistant

Children's Academy; New York (NY); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Children's Academy seeks a Teacher Assistant for a K-12 special education setting in New York. The role involves supporting teachers with diverse learners, implementing inclusive instructional activities, and contributing to a supportive classroom community.

Responsibilities include collaborating with therapists, assisting with IEP-related activities, and supervising field trips to ensure safe, engaging experiences for students with varying needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required (education, psychology, social work, or related field preferred).
• Prior experience working with students with special needs required.
• Comfort and confidence supporting students with behavioral challenges.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Patience, professionalism, and commitment to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and supportive learning environment.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement innovative and culturally relevant project-based learning experiences for students to foster and sustain engagement with curriculum and activities.
• Plan daily and weekly activities to balance academic and social learning, using all resources provided.
• Participate in IEP Meetings, Impartial Hearings, Parent Teacher Conferences as directed by the Head of School.
• Collaborate with Speech-Language and Occupational Therapists to integrate supports into school days.
• Provide differentiated instruction to students.
• Build student relationships and a sense of community.

Skills

Strong communication

Collaboration

Patience

Creativity

Adaptability

Cultural responsiveness

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Description

In this role, your duties will be performing the usual & customary duties of a Teacher Assistant for a K-12 special education learning institution including, but not limited to, those specified in the following job summary:

In this role, your duties will be performing the usual & customary duties of a Teacher Assistant for a K-12 special education learning institution including, but not limited to, those specified in the following job summary:

• Planning and implementing innovative and culturally relevant project-based learning experiences for students to foster and sustain engagement with curriculum and activities centered on building strong language acquisition, inquiry, and critical thinking skills
• Planning daily and weekly activities so that students are engaged in a balance of academic and social learning, ensuring to make use of all resources/opportunities provided (technology, music, creative play, mindful moments, etc.)
• Participate in IEP Meetings, Impartial Hearings, Parent Teacher Conferences as directed by the Head of School
• Collaborating with Speech-Language and Occupational Therapists to integrate appropriate supports and practices into students’ school days
• Providing differentiated instruction to students
• Communicating in a proactive and positive manner with all team members and administration
• Building student relationships and a sense of community
• Supervision of students during on- and off-site field trips
• Being aware of and following students’ individual plans including sensory diets and individual behavior plans
• Knowing, understanding, and adhering to all school-wide policies Key Qualities of Special Education Teacher:
• Ability to have fun and be responsive to all learners while engaging and supporting students at different levels
• Ability to adapt lessons that work for the strengths of each child
• Ability to motivate students to develop genuine student inquiry and natural curiosity as a balance to academic skills
• Innovative, creative thinker with a willingness to learn alongside students
• Understanding of child development to provide protective factors for success
• Organizes and manages time to maximize student engagement and learning
• Appreciation of all cultures and experiences and an understanding of how to bring these differences into the classroom to serve as strengths
• Willingness to advocate for students when issues of equity emerge
• Communicates in a positive and proactive manner
• Being flexible in their thinking, planning and day to day work
• Ability to problem solve independently as needed
• Supports students’ social-emotional learning
• Assist with scheduling which employees are out and coordinating with staff members to fill vacancies.
• Assist with bussing.
• Creatively supports students in growing social skills (solving problems, approaching complex tasks, working collaboratively with peers, resolving friendship struggles, etc.)
• Builds upon community and family partnerships by ensuring smooth and supportive transitions, and aligned classroom activities leading to equitable outcomes
• Inspires students’ curiosity, builds background knowledge, and increases students’ confidence
• Develops positive relationships with students, families, and colleagues
• Approaches day-to-day enrichment experience with a culturally responsive lens, and other such duties as may be reasonably assigned to you by your supervisor.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required (education, psychology, social work, or related field preferred).
• Prior experience working with students with special needs required.
• Comfort and confidence supporting students with behavioral challenges.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Patience, professionalism, and commitment to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and supportive learning environment.