TEACHING ASSISTANT – SCHOOL AGE PROGRAM

Brightway Living & Learning; Town of Smithtown (NY); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Training

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

FSA

EAP

403(b) Retirement Plan

Tuition reimbursement

Career growth

Paid time off for school breaks

Job summary

Brightway Living & Learning is seeking a School Age Teaching Assistant for the School Age Program. This full-time, hourly role supports teachers in implementing IEPs and helping students with developmental disabilities in a structured classroom.

Shifts are Monday–Friday, 8 am–3 pm or 8:30 am–3:30 pm, with comprehensive benefits, ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career growth within a nonprofit on Long Island.

Qualifications

• Must possess an initial TA Certification or NYSL1 Teaching Assistant Certification.
• Interest in working with students with disabilities.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist the teacher in implementing IEPs.
• Collect student behavior and performance data as directed.
• Support basic instructional activities and supervise students.
• Attend required trainings and in-services.
• Participate in performance reviews.
• Maintain proper class ratios and policies.
• Supervise in the teacher’s absence and assist with arrivals/dismissals.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Oral communication

Written communication

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

TA Certification NYSL1/Initial TA Certification

Job description

Description

SCHOOL AGE TEACHING ASSISTANT – SCHOOL AGE PROGRAM

Full-Time, Hourly $18.25 - $21.90/hour

Job Details

Make a Real Difference Every Day

Do you want a career where you directly impact lives, experiencing the deep fulfillment that comes from helping others and a strong sense of purpose?

Shifts Available

Monday – Friday: 8 am – 3 pm or 8:30 am – 3:30 pm

About Brightway Living & Learning

Brightway Living & Learning is a premier non-profit provider of human services on Long Island, including educational, residential, day habilitation, and vocational programs. Building on a 65-year legacy as the Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI), Brightway supports over 1,600 children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities through a full continuum of care. By employing persistence, adaptability, and the power of behavioral science, Brightway’s dedicated professionals enable individuals to grow, learn, and meet milestones at their own pace. Discover more about our mission and our "All Ways Forward" approach at brightwayny.org.

The Role

Teaching Assistants in the School Age Program are creative, energetic, career-oriented teaching professionals who are motivated to educate individuals with developmental disabilities in an ungraded self-contained classroom. Teaching Assistants are offered on-going training and support provided by board certified behavior analysts and other qualified professionals to enhance and maximize career growth. Our school programs operate on a 12-month calendar. This is a great opportunity to get valuable experience and knowledge working in a classroom and community setting following the principles of applied behavior analysis. See full job description for qualifications and responsibilities.

What You'll Do

• Assist the teacher in directly implementing IEP’s.
• Collect student behavior and performance data as directed by the teacher.
• Help conduct basic instructional activities and help with the safety and supervision of students.
• Attend and pass all required in-services and trainings.
• Participate in performance reviews/discussions.
• Accept assignments in varying classes, in accordance with the need of the program to provide proper ratio in class groupings.
• Be familiar with and act in accordance with all policies contained in the School Age Program's Handbook for Staff.
• Supervise the Substitute Teacher Assistant & School Age Aide in the Teacher’s absence.
• Implement outlined behavior support plans & physical restraint plans.
• Assist in student arrival from the buses and dismissal to the buses.
• Accompany assigned students if they leave the building for programmatic or emergency reasons.
• Must maintain the Initial TA certification/file for the Initial TA Certification after the expiration of your NYSL1 TA certification.
• Other duties as assigned.

What You Bring To Brightway Living & Learning

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Must possess an initial TA Certification or NYSL1 Teaching Assistant Certification.
• Must demonstrate an interest in working with students with disabilities.
• Must demonstrate good interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.

What You Must Be Able To Do

• Modify the area to secure the safety of the children i.e. move/push tables and other heavy objects up to 20 lbs.
• Lift/move 20 lbs. (mats)Run after student up to 500 feet
• Run to a classroom in need up to 500 feet
• Kneel, twist and bend
• Respond to fire alarms

Why You'll Love This Job

• Build Meaningful Relationships: Develop strong connections with individuals and their families.
• Learn and Grow: Benefit from ongoing training and professional development.
• Be Part of a Supportive Team: Work with passionate and dedicated colleagues.
• Experience Job Satisfaction: Feel a deep sense of accomplishment knowing your work matters.

Here’s How We Support You

• Comprehensive Paid Training: Get the skills you need to succeed.
• Exceptional Benefits: Including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, FSA, and EAP.
• Retirement Security: 403(b) retirement plan.
• Invest in Your Future: Tuition reimbursement opportunities.
• Career Growth: Opportunities for advancement within Brightway Living & Learning.
• And More: Paid time off for school breaks and other valuable benefits!

If You Are

• Empathic, compassionate, and patient
• Positive, energetic, and enthusiastic
• A good communicator and team player
• Passionate about making a difference

Brightway Living & Learning is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to actual or perceived race, color, sex, pregnancy, reproductive decision making, gender expression or identity, national origin, disability, military status, creed, religion, age, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, status as a victim of domestic violence or any other group protected by federal, state or local law. We are committed to creating a deep sense of belonging and a culture where all applicants and employees feel welcomed, valued and respected. At Brightway, we believe that with the right support, progress is always possible.