Special Education Teaching Assistant - YES Prep Fifth Ward Secondary (Immediate Opening)

About the role

YES Prep creates pathways to extraordinary opportunity through best-in-class development, competitive compensation and benefits, and recognition for your impact. The organization serves 21,650 students across 16 secondary and 12 elementary campuses in Houston, Texas, with 91% qualifying for free/reduced-price lunch, 96% Hispanic or African-American, 99% accepted to a 4‑year university, and 85% first‑generation college students. YES Prep is ranked in the Top 100 High Schools nationally by U.S. News & World Report.

Responsibilities

• Assist Special Education and General Education Teacher(s) with supervision of students in all instructional settings
• Assist with behavior management techniques by demonstrating, modeling, and positively reinforcing desired behaviors
• Maintain data as identified by teacher(s), students’ IEP goals, and/or Behavior Intervention Plans
• Assist in tailoring lessons to meet an individual student’s needs
• Support teacher(s) with lesson plans by practicing and reinforcing learning concepts
• Assist students in performing self‑help and academic skills
• Serve as a one‑to‑one full‑time support for a student with significant cognitive, behavioral, or medical needs
• Assist with administration and scoring of tests and work assignments
• Assist with implementation of accommodations and/or modifications
• Adapt classroom activities, assignments, and/or materials to support and reinforce classroom objectives
• Monitor students during transition times throughout the school day, inside and outside of the classroom
• Provide personal care services for students as needed
• Perform additional duties as assigned

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED
• Minimum of 30 semester hours of college or post‑secondary education credit
• Current Educational Aide certification, or willingness to obtain it from the TEA
• Interest in working one‑on‑one with a student with significant needs, including medical needs
• Belief in and commitment to the mission and core values of YES Prep Public Schools
• Desire to disrupt systemic status quos in education
• Willingness to go above and beyond to disrupt said status quos
• Passion to develop resiliency through a relentless pursuit of high results
• Conviction that high expectations + high accountability = high performance and high growth

Skills

• Ability to physically assist students with self‑help, mobility, academic, and behavioral skills
• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress
• Ability to work urgently in a fast‑paced, results‑oriented environment
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks and initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively on a team
• Dedication to learn, grow, and develop professionally
• Openness to giving and receiving frequent feedback

Benefits

• Health and supplemental insurance – $0 monthly medical option with $600 toward a Health Savings Account, plus dental, vision, disability, life, etc. (eligibility: 20+ hours/week for full benefits, 10+ hours/week for medical)
• Retirement plans – Participation in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas and a 457b Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off – 10 days per year for employees working 20+ hours/week, plus academic calendar closures
• Paid Leave Programming – 100% paid leave for medical needs (including maternity/paternity) based on eligibility and tenure
• Professional development – High‑quality programs, coaching, and ongoing training
• Award‑winning culture – Recognized as Houston’s Best Place to Work (2018, 2019, 2021, 2025); 2012 Broad Prize for Excellence in Urban Education

Pay

$15.63‑$19.43 per hour

Schedule

10‑month position; start date for the 2026‑27 school year