Teacher Aide - Abilities First Educational Learning Experience New Windsor

About the role

At Abilities First, Inc., we empower individuals with developmental disabilities to live vibrant, independent lives through a wide range of services including preschool and school programs, day and residential habilitation, community connections, and employment services. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusivity and diversity.

Responsibilities

• Attend to the educational, physical, social and emotional needs of the students while assisting the Classroom Teacher and Teaching Assistant in implementing students’ IEP goals.
• Follow the classroom schedule to ensure individual student’s goals are achieved.
• Assists in the classroom to conduct individual and group activities.
• Keep student’s workstations/areas organized.
• Aid in the construction of teacher-developed materials.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings and job skill training.
• Attend therapy sessions with students to allow for appropriate carryover in the classroom.
• Organize and arrange the classroom to provide a conducive learning environment.
• Escorts and assists students (via wheelchair, walker, etc.) to and from school buses while providing opportunities for students' increased independence in mobility and orientation.
• Attend all specials with students (PE, art, music, etc.).
• Takes off and puts on outdoor clothing as necessary and provide opportunities for students' increased independence in self-dressing and undressing.
• Perform wheelchair/equipment transporting, transferring and lifting.
• Toilet children and use appropriate adaptive equipment if necessary. Change clothing when wet or soiled. Change diapers and/or sanitary napkins as necessary.
• Set out lunches and adaptive feeding equipment and provide opportunities for students' increased independence in meal preparation.
• Cut up or mash food as required and provide opportunities for students' increased independence in meal preparation.
• Feed students following OT procedures and provide opportunities for students' increased independence in self-feeding.
• Wash all feeding equipment and provide opportunities for students' increased independence in washing dishes and utensils.
• Put on and remove ankle-foot orthotics (AFOs), arm and hand splints, support harnesses, neck braces, head pointers, etc.
• Lift, place, secure and remove students from prone boards.
• Set up computers, communication device systems and related adaptive equipment.
• Adhere to agency Code of Legal and Ethical Behavior, which requires all employees, consultants, board members, volunteers and affiliates to perform their responsibilities according to ethical and legal standards with honesty, integrity, fairness, good faith and respect for others and the law.
• Follows all agency policy and procedures and demonstrates continuous regard to personal safety and the safety of others.
• Perform other appropriate job-related activities as requested by your supervisor or as circumstances warrant.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Experience within early childhood and special education preferred.
• The ability to push and pull students in wheelchairs, lift, bend, squat, turn in the knees, pivot and grasp with both hands (in order to properly and safely perform the techniques taught in CPR/First Aid, behavior intervention techniques, and lifting and carrying techniques), with or without a reasonable accommodation.