Teaching Assistant, Special Education (Movement)

The Baby Fold; Normal (IL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance

403(b) Retirement Plan

Life & Long Term Disability

Short Term Disability

Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Account and Dep.Care

Job summary

The Baby Fold is seeking a Special Education Teacher Assistant to support Lead Teachers and classroom staff in a trauma-informed, comprehensive education for students with emotional/behavioral disabilities and/or autism.

Responsibilities include implementing therapeutic crisis intervention, social skills training, and data-driven instruction under supervision. Opportunity to pursue LBS-1 certification tuition-free through HomeGrown.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required; preferred in education or related field.
• Valid Driver's license with adequate car insurance and driving record.
• Substitute Teaching license preferred, or ability to obtain upon hire.

Responsibilities

• Behavioral and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention: trauma-informed practices to create a positive and safe educational environment and de-escalate crises.
• Social Skills Training: implement social skills curriculum and support cooperative play and communication.
• Educational Instruction: plan and implement curriculum aligned to IEPs; supervise movement-based activities and motor development sessions.
• Data Collection and Progress Reporting: collect and present behavioral and academic data; assess performance and set goals.
• Lesson Plans: develop and implement lesson plans reflecting best practices in specialized instruction.

Skills

Trauma-informed approach

Crisis intervention

Education

Bachelor's degree

Substitute teaching license (preferred)

Job description

Description

The Baby Fold has been successfully wrapping services around children and families since 1902, offering life-critical support such as foster care, special education, early childhood programming, and post-adoption support. The Baby Fold is a unique resources with a strong and enduring heritage. We care for our youngest citizens so they can be blessed with loving homes, stable lives, and the futures they deserve.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Life & Long Term Disability
• Short Term Disability
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Plan
• Paid Vacation, Personal time, Sick time, and Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Headspace Care - coaching, therapy, & psychiatry
• Paytient - line of credit for medical, mental health, & veterinary services
• Candidly - student loan navigation support
• Mentorship, advancement, and professional development opportunities

Currently $1,000 sign-on bonus for external applicants*

WORK HOURS: Full-time, 37.5 hours/week, generally 8:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M., Monday through Friday, following the school calendar; shorter days until 2:30 PM for Extended School Year hours (summer school) with full time pay. Lunch meals provided during school days.

LOCATION: Hammitt School on Willow, 108 E Willow St, or Hammitt School on Oglesby, 612 Oglesby, Normal, IL

BASIC FUNCTION: The Special Education Teacher Assistant assists the Lead Teacher and other classroom/support staff in providing a comprehensive, trauma-informed education and behavioral program for students with severe emotional and behavioral disabilities and/or autism. Classroom assignments may vary based on program needs to include academic, physical education, fine arts, and/or technology settings. This position has a strong focus on supporting movement-based activities and providing classroom support as needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHING ASSISTANT:

• Behavioral and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention: Incorporates trauma-informed practices to create a positive and safe educational environment for students and promote individual learning, growth, and development. Implements the clinical behavioral treatment program according to guidelines, including individualized programming and crisis intervention. Implements the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) program to de-escalate potential and/or actual crises according to guidelines.
• Social Skills Training: Implements social skills training and integrates social skills curriculum throughout the day. Supports the development of cooperative play, teamwork, and communication skills during physical activity and movement-based sessions.
• Educational Instruction: Under the direction of the Teacher Therapist, plans, coordinates, evaluates, and implements a comprehensive curriculum which meets the individualized behavioral, academic and social needs of each student enrolled in the classroom and which is directly related to each child’s Individualized Educational Plan. Leads or supervises students in structured physical activity sessions, recess, sensory breaks, or motor development activities in indoor and outdoor settings. Provides classroom instruction under the direction of certified teaching staff.
• Data Collection and Progress Reporting: Under the direction of the Teacher Therapist, collects, prepares and presents behavioral and academic data on each child in the classroom. Assesses student performance levels (behavioral and academic) and recommends appropriate goals and objectives in the IEP staffing process.
• Lesson Plans: Under the direction of the Lead Teacher, develops and implements lesson plans that reflect best practice in specialized educational instruction.

NEW!: Opportunity to grow with us and earn your LBS-1 Teaching Certification, tuition free, through our HomeGrown program!!

Statement of Inclusion: The Baby Fold is committed to fostering a culture of respect and inclusion, where each individual feels empowered and where our differences are celebrated. We encourage each other to engage in meaningful conversations, seek out different perspectives, and continually work to cultivate an environment where all ideas are valued.

IND1

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree required. Bachelor’s degree in education or a related field strongly preferred.
• Valid Driver's license with adequate car insurance and driving record.
• Substitute Teaching license preferred, or ability to obtain upon hire