Teacher Assistant

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Key/Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Supports teacher with educational activities for students in assigned classroom, providing general and instructional support for teacher and individual students, as directed, in alignment with MSA’s mission.

• Maintains awareness of and follows all applicable health and safety-related policies and procedures within assigned classroom.

• Supports students in achieving their greatest level of independent functioning by supporting educational needs in the classroom and following all appropriate policies, procedures and individualized plans relating to the student’s management needs and areas of instructional and therapeutic focus.

• Observes behavior, prompts students and follows individualized plans and schedules, implementing positive behavior interventions, assisting students with personal care and activities of daily living (ADLs) including toileting and diapering and appropriately documenting data in collaboration with other classroom staff, as applicable. 

• Facilitates small academic groups within the classroom based on the teacher's instruction and in accordance with applicable lesson plans, student needs and academic goals; provides one-on-one support for students, as requested.

• Provides support during special classes and activities within the classroom as directed including gym, art or music, providing instruction and support to students and/or 1:1 Teachers Aides during activities.

• Provides support within classroom for instructional activities by obtaining and preparing necessary equipment, materials or other resources, making copies, collecting, filing and/or distributing items or documents.

• Collects information relating to student progress, concerns and/or issues, documenting or escalating to teacher and/or supervisor, in accordance with all applicable plans, policies and procedures.

• Maintains an awareness of feeding protocols for students in assigned classroom, ensuring all preparation and protocols are appropriately followed during meal times and students are fed appropriately and safely.

• Ensures the health and safety of students, self and others including, but not limited to emotional support counseling, physical intervention using approved agency techniques and responding timely to challenging behaviors such as self-injurious behavior, injurious behaviors toward others or elopement risks.

• Assists with maintaining cleanliness of assigned classroom, by regularly cleaning kitchen, pantries and classroom and ensuring 1:1 Teachers Aides are maintaining cleanliness of students’ desks.

• Assists with coordination of schedules and activities for classroom students, facilitating communication between classroom teacher and therapists.

• Ensures the health and safety of students receiving supports in the community, which includes, but is not limited to keeping the group together, assisting students in negotiating physical obstacles or impediments and implementing behavioral supports.

• Participates in recurring classroom and other related or schoolwide meetings including specialized or student-specific needs, supports and/or trainings or other interdepartmental and schoolwide meetings, as requested.   

• Assists in the evacuation of the facility in the event of an emergency, including but not limited to fires, floods, or other emergencies which may arise, consistent with applicable agency, State and/or Local procedures.

• Complies with all Federal, State, Local and other relevant regulatory agency requirements, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and maintains confidentiality requirements and protection of other sensitive student data.  

• Provides coverage, performing all duties of 1:1 Teachers Aide to support students when needed.

• May perform teaching duties, providing instruction based on provided curriculum and lesson plans in the absence of the teacher.

• Performs all other duties, as assigned.

Experienced TA’s may be selected for assignments in Behavior and/or Transition Department, supporting MSA educational initiatives beyond a single classroom. Additional duties may include:

• Collaborating with education, related services and classroom support staff across MSA regarding individual students receiving behavior or transition services to provide information and training related to associated plans, goals, data collection and implementing supports.   

• Regularly observes or supports students in a variety of settings, including while traveling to and on-site at internship and employment sites across New York City. 

• Assists MSA leadership and individual students with identifying goals and ambitions and participates in the development and implementation of person-centered strategies and plans.

• Provides support for students in attaining their goals in area of assignment, including travel training and on-site job skills training and coaching at internship and employment sites or through application and monitoring of behavior strategies and interventions directed toward development and/or enhancement of skills.

• Attends and participates in additional trainings and meetings specific to students’ specialized needs, goals and supports relating to behavior intervention, socio-emotional, transition and other specific needs as directed.

Minimum Qualification Requirements including education, experience, licensure/certification, etc. and essential physical capabilities (e.g. lifting, assisting lifting, standing, etc.)

• Current certification and registration as a Teacher Assistant issued by the New York State Education Department; or

• Active pursuit of certification and registration as a Teacher Assistant issued by NYSED; and

• Satisfactory proof of a passing score on NYSTCE Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills (ATAS) examination and proof of successful completion of all required workshops (Child Abuse Identification and Reporting, Dignity for All Students Act and School Violence Prevention and Intervention); and

• Must receive NYSED Teacher Assistant certification within 90 days of appointment and maintain for duration of assignment.

• Enthusiasm for working with children with disabilities, willingness to take initiative and ability to demonstrate positivity, patience, empathy and compassion in all interactions.

• Effective written and oral communication skills, including the ability to motivate, listen, observe and collect data to support appropriate implementation of individualized plans and achievement of student's educational and social goals.

• Ability to remain calm, think clearly, use an appropriate tone and exercise good judgement in stressful situations, such as implementing approved agency techniques for challenging behaviors.

• Ability and willingness to assist with a variety of supports and ADLs, including personal care (e.g. toileting and diapering).

• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively collaborate with classroom and other MSA staff.

• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office, specifically Word and Outlook and ability to use common office equipment and electronic systems to complete tasks.

• Ability to meet essential physical demands of position including frequent walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling and reaching with hands and arms; use hands to handle, finger or feel objects, tools or controls; assisting with lifting/moving students of any weight with  assistance of mechanical lifts or other equipment and/or supporting students of any weight with standing or sitting on one or more occasions during the course of the day and/or pushing students in wheelchairs; lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds on occasion; having the physical capacity to work with and implement emergency interventions as per the student’s Behavior Support Plan if/as needed, including lifting/moving individuals of any weight with or without assistance of equipment and/or other staff or running.

Teacher Assistants assigned to the Transition Department are subject to the following additional requirements:

• Must hold current certification and registration as a Teacher Assistant issued by the New York State Education Department and maintain for duration of assignment; a​nd

• At least two (2) years of experience working with students in a special education setting, ideally with students aged 12 – 21 years; or

• Satisfactory equivalent combination of education, experience and/or training as authorized by school leadership; however, all incumbents must hold and maintain valid Teacher Assistant certification, as described above.

• Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule to support students at internships or employment sites, when needed.

• Ability and willingness to regularly travel across New York City to accompany students to internship and employment sites and provide supports in accordance with YAI Travel Training guidelines.

• Ability to support students by providing on-the-job support in an occupational setting which includes interacting with employers and effectively modeling work readiness skills and appropriate workplace behavior.

Teacher Assistants assigned to the Behavior Department are subject to the following additional requirements:

• Must hold current certification and registration as a Teacher Assistant issued by the New York State Education Department and maintain for duration of assignment; and

• At least two (2) years of experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and complex social-emotional and behavioral needs in an ABA environment or other similar setting (school, home program, day treatment center, etc.); or

• Formal training, including college coursework in psychology, sociology, human behavior, mental health, special education and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities and/or pursuit of a behavior analysis credential issued by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board; or

• Satisfactory equivalent combination of education, experience and/or training as authorized by school leadership; however, all incumbents must hold and maintain valid Teacher Assistant certification, as described above.

• Ability to demonstrate positive social and emotional support through collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team and to appropriately deescalate situations requiring immediate intervention.

Preferred Qualification Requirements (desired requirements beyond MQRs above)

• Previous experience with neurodivergent children ages 3 – 21

• College coursework or formal training in special education or related discipline

Compensation & Benefits:

• $22/Hour to $24/Hour
• Tuition reimbursement
• Medical and dental insurance (with options for family and more extensive medical plans, as well as vision)
• Paid Time Off and School Holidays
• 403(b) retirement with employer match
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Discounts on travel, entertainment, wireless services, shopping, and more

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam or disabled veteran. YAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To ensure fairness, safeguard transparency, and promote an equitable workforce environment, YAI Network prohibits the practice of nepotism in the workforce and hiring process.