Teacher Assistant

Gain rewarding experience with LEARN Academy! As a Teacher Assistant, you’ll help students with special needs develop academic, daily living, and self-help skills, social and emotional regulation, flexible thinking, language development, and motor development through play-based therapy known as applied behavior analysis (ABA).

About the role

LEARN Academy, a national leader in special education, academic intervention, and specialized behavioral services, is a state-approved private day school in Arizona serving students from kindergarten through grade 12. We provide individually tailored services to students with special needs—including autism and emotional and learning disabilities—using a structured program implemented in environments that facilitate functional independence and academic and social success.

Responsibilities

• Use applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy to provide direct instructional support to individuals and/or groups of students.
• Provide structured support in social-emotional, adaptive behavior, and social-skill development.
• Collect data regarding student(s) progress toward their goals/objectives as directed by the teaching and clinical team.
• Reinforce academic behaviors taught by certified staff and provide the student with opportunities to practice.
• Assist students in community, recreational, school, and leisure activities under the direction of certified staff.
• Implement district-approved techniques for verbal de-escalation and safe physical restraint. Training in specific therapeutic techniques provided by Desert Choice Schools.
• Perform other related duties as assigned and required by the building administration and certified staff.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required; college degree preferred.
• 1-2 years’ experience working with children in a special needs educational setting.
• Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card or ability to obtain one.
• Demonstrated experience using physical ability and dexterity to safely and effectively use Crisis Management Interventions (including therapeutic holds).
• Ability to collaborate and receive feedback, mentoring, and direction from peers and supervisors.
• Demonstrated experience maintaining a professional and clinical perspective, without internalizing or personalizing student behaviors or mannerisms.

Characteristics we look for

• A genuine desire to help make a difference in the lives of children with special needs.
• A steady supply of compassion, empathy, enthusiasm, kindness, goodwill, and reliability.
• A willingness to learn about a variety of disability categories, learning differences, and ABA.

Physical requirements

Physical requirements vary and are based on specific student assignments. You may be asked to engage in any of the following: lift and/or move up to 100 pounds, stoop, reach, stand, kneel, squat, sit, walk, lift, pull, and grasp for extended periods of time.

Pay

• Earn $18.50 per hour.
• Candidates with a bachelor’s degree earn an additional $0.50 per hour.
• $250 sign-on bonus available.

Schedule

This is a full-time, 10-month position with unpaid school breaks.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation plan.
• Comprehensive benefits and retirement plans.
• Tuition assistance reimbursement (up to $2,000 per year).
• Referral bonuses.