Teacher Assistant

Childrensacademynyc; Northern, New York (KY, NY); Hybrid; USD 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Children’s Academy is seeking a dedicated Teacher Assistant for our K-12 special education program. You will support individualized instruction, assist with classroom activities, and collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to uphold the school’s mission and inclusive culture.

You will participate in IEP meetings when directed, adapt lessons to student needs, supervise field trips, and nurture students’ social-emotional growth while maintaining dignity and respect for every learner.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement project-based learning experiences for students.
• Plan daily and weekly activities balancing academic and social learning.
• Participate in IEP Meetings, Impartial Hearings, Parent Teacher Conferences.
• Collaborate with Speech-Language and Occupational Therapists to integrate supports.
• Provide differentiated instruction to students.
• Communicate proactively with team members and administration.
• Build student relationships and community.
• Supervise field trips and ensure safety.
• Follow individual student plans including sensory diets and behavior plans.

Skills

Patience

Communication

Collaboration

Adaptability

Cultural sensitivity

Problem solving

Time management

Relationship building

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:

The Special Education Teacher Assistant at Children’s Academy reports directly to the Director of Education and/or the Head of School’s designee. She/he should be familiar with the school’s mission statement, curricula & school-wide academic and behavioral approaches. She/he oversees and delivers the education for students within the classroom setting while collaborating as part of an interdisciplinary team to ensure that the classroom environment and instruction meets the standards as established in the Children’s Academy mission. She/he must accept all children and interact with dignity and respect.

Responsibilities

• 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.