Temporary Bridge Instructional Assistant (Sept. - Nov. 2026)

Andover Public Schools; Andover (MA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Andover Public Schools BRIDGE program seeks a dedicated staff member to support students on the autism spectrum. The team includes a special education teacher, instructional assistants, and consulting specialists in behavior, speech, and occupational therapy to help students develop academic, social, and self-care skills.

The role emphasizes data collection, implementing behavioral interventions, guiding routines, and delivering small group or individual instruction while maintaining

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of college or equivalent two years experience working with children.
• Preferred knowledge/experience of working with students on the autism spectrum.
• Preferred Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) knowledge and/or experience

Responsibilities

• Monitor and assist students in daily routines across classroom activities and settings.
• Assist in collecting data for behavioral or academic progress.
• Initiate and follow through with behavioral interventions as designated by the teacher.
• Participate in staff meetings regarding curricular expectations and student needs.
• Lead and/or facilitate teaching in 1:1, small group, or whole class instruction.
• Assist students to follow routines, directions, schedules, and tasks.
• Monitor students during all times including bus, lunch, and transitions.
• Assist with self-help skills in safety, eating, and toileting.
• Create materials as time allows and directed by teacher.
• Prepare room daily for instruction per teacher's plan.
• Remain professional and keep student information confidential.

Skills

Experience with children

ABA knowledge

Autism knowledge

Education

Two years college

Job description

Description

The BRIDGE program is a specialized, intensive program based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis that serves students on the Autism Spectrum. The program consists of a special education teacher, supporting instructional assistants, and consultation from a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Speech and Language Pathologist, and Occupational Therapist. The services provide to students in this program include a combination of discrete trial training, supported inclusion, small group activities, and incidental teaching. The goal of the program is for students to increase their independent skills in all areas, including academics, recreation, social, communication, self-care, motor, behavior regulation, as well as the generalization of these skills to new situations and environments.

Responsibilities

1. 1. Monitor and assist students as needed in their daily routines across classroom activities and/or settings.
2. 2. Assist in collecting data for behavioral or academic progress.
3. 3. Initiate and follow through with behavioral interventions as designated and demonstrated by the classroom teacher.
4. 4. Participate in staff meetings regarding classroom curricular expectations as well as student needs across all developmental areas.
5. 5. Lead and/or facilitate teaching of individuals in 1:1, small group, or whole class instruction.
6. 6. Assist individual students as necessary to follow routines, follow directions, follow an individual schedule, and/or complete tasks.
7. 7. Monitor students at all times including on/off the bus, lunch, and times of transition.
8. 8. Assist with students requiring self-help skills in the areas of safety, eating, and toileting.
9. 9. Create materials as time allows and directed by teacher.
10. 10. Prepare room daily for instruction in the morning or end of day as designated by teacher.
11. 11. Remain professional and keep student information confidential at all times.

Qualifications

1. 1. Minimum of two years of college or equivalent two years experience working with children
2. 2. Preferred knowledge/experience of working with students on the autism spectrum
3. 3. Preferred Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) knowledge and/or experience

Supplemental Information

Andover Public Schools (APS) seeks candidates who embody our ethos, which includes valuing the identities of all students, high expectations for all students, teaching excellence, collaboration, innovation, respect, and responsibility.

APS is committed to hiring and supporting a racially and ethnically diverse faculty and staff. Racially and ethnically diverse teachers produce a myriad of positive outcomes for all students, especially the most historically marginalized students.