TEACHING ASSISTANT – SCHOOL AGE PROGRAM
About Brightway Living & Learning
Brightway Living & Learning is a premier non‑profit provider of human services on Long Island, offering educational, residential, day habilitation, and vocational programs. Building on a 65‑year legacy as the Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI), Brightway supports over 1,600 children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities through a full continuum of care. The organization applies persistence, adaptability, and behavioral science to help individuals grow, learn, and meet milestones at their own pace.
About the Role
Teaching Assistants in the School Age Program are creative, energetic, career‑oriented teaching professionals who educate individuals with developmental disabilities in an ungraded, self‑contained classroom. Assistants receive ongoing training and support from board‑certified behavior analysts and other qualified professionals, and the school programs operate on a 12‑month calendar. This position offers valuable classroom and community experience following the principles of applied behavior analysis.
Responsibilities
- Assist the teacher in directly implementing IEPs.
- Collect student behavior and performance data as directed by the teacher.
- Help conduct basic instructional activities and ensure student safety and supervision.
- Attend and pass all required in‑services and trainings.
- Participate in performance reviews and discussions.
- Accept assignments in varying classes to maintain proper staff‑to‑student ratios.
- Follow all policies in the School Age Program’s Handbook for Staff.
- Supervise the Substitute Teacher Assistant & School Age Aide in the teacher’s absence.
- Implement behavior support plans and physical restraint plans as outlined.
- Assist with student arrival from buses and dismissal to buses.
- Accompany assigned students if they leave the building for programmatic or emergency reasons.
- Maintain the Initial TA certification file after the expiration of the NYSL1 TA certification.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
- High School Diploma or equivalent.
- Initial TA Certification or NYSL1 Teaching Assistant Certification.
- Demonstrated interest in working with students with disabilities.
- Good interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to move or push tables and other heavy objects up to 20 lb.
- Lift/move items weighing up to 20 lb (e.g., mats).
- Run after a student up to 500 ft and run to a classroom in need up to 500 ft.
- Kneel, twist, and bend as required.
- Respond to fire alarms.
Benefits
- Comprehensive paid training.
- Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, FSA, and Employee Assistance Program.
- 403(b) retirement plan.
- Tuition reimbursement opportunities.
- Opportunities for advancement within Brightway Living & Learning.
- Paid time off for school breaks and other valuable benefits.
Pay
$18.25 – $21.90 per hour (full‑time, hourly).
Schedule
Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm or 8:30 am – 3:30 pm.