Teacher Assistant

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.
• Collections 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.
• Aids in 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 coordinating 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.
• Facilitates 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.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

• 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;
• 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);
• 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.

Preferred Qualification Requirements

• Previous experience with neurodivergent children ages 3 – 21
• College coursework or formal training in special education or related discipline
• 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