Teaching Assistant I

Job Summary

The Teaching Assistant I works with the Teacher and other school staff to maintain a positive classroom learning environment. This position supports the academic, emotional, and social growth of students by providing additional hands-on guidance that aid in the treatment and care of youth.  The Teaching Assistant I receives mentorship from Teaching Assistant II and III staff and performs job requirements with significant guidance.

Essential Job Functions

• Provide hands-on support to individual students or groups of students requiring special education by reviewing and clarifying lessons and resources. 
• Share observations of assigned student learning and behavior patterns with the classroom teacher to aid in the devlopment of specialized teaching plans and learning experiences. 
• Assist classroom teachers with instructional resources preparation. 
• Utilize learned Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) techniques to effectively plan for the prevention of and manage behavioral crises. 
• Provide direct classroom instruction in the event of a teacher’s absence.
• Work with team members to set, implement, and evaluate Individual Education Plans, Behavior Intervention Plans, and Proactive Safety Plans.
• Monitor students in class, between classes, during recreation periods and field trips.
• Develop, maintain, and update all required documentation in a timely and compliant manner.
• While this job description covers many aspects of the role, employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

• High School Diploma or GED required

Special Requirements

• Valid New York State Certification as a Teaching Assistant Level I within 6 months of hire AND obtainment of a NYS Certification as a Teaching Assistant Level III within 5 years of Level I certification. 
• Unrestricted, valid NYS driver’s license for minimum of 1 year with a clean driving record and minimum insurance coverage that meets agency standards. 
• Must be able to work 12 month schedule

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

In addition to demonstrating the Hillside Professional Competencies of Communicates Effectively, Personal Excellence, Cultural Competence, Builds and Leverages Relationships, and Optimizes Decision Making, the following occupational competencies must be demonstrated:

• Understanding of safety protocols and procedures to ensure the well-being of students in the classroom and during school activities.
• Ability to provide instructional support under the direction of the classroom teacher, including assisting with lesson preparation, material organization, and student supervision.
• Ability to demonstrate empathy and patience when working with students, recognizing and respecting their individual differences and learning styles.
• Ability to manage time effectively to prioritize tasks, follow classroom schedules, and assist with multiple responsibilities throughout the school day.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to work a variable scheduling including evenings and weekends
• The following physical demands are required:
  • Occasional sitting (up to 4 hours)
  • Occasional standing (up to 1 hour)
  • Occasional walking (up to 2.5 hours)
  • Occasional driving (up to 8 hours)
  • Continuous balancing (up to 8 hours)
  • Occasional balancing, bending, stooping, climbing, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching forward or down, reaching overhead, running, and twisting (up to 2.5 hours)
  • Weekly lifting up to 50 lbs. (community-based staff may be required to lift an empty wheelchair weighing up to 50 lbs.), 10-15 lbs. on a daily basis
  • Weekly carrying up to 55 lbs. approximately 10-100 ft., 10-15 lbs. on a daily basis
• Manual dexterity is required, including the frequent ability to grasp in both hands and continuous use of fine manipulation skills in both hands (approximately 1-2.5 hrs.)
• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes, gases or chemicals is apparent. 
• Protective clothing or equipment as required: Close toed shoes; Protective Shields, Universal Precaution PPE, Gloves for toileting and food preparation
• Ability to change positions as needed

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

May be required to physically restrain clients weighing between 50 lbs. and 200 lbs. and guide them safely to the floor. In some circumstances, restraints can last up to 15 minutes and may require repetition as necessary.