Special Education Teaching Assistant (ESM)

The Special Ed Teaching Assistant is a member of a multidisciplinary team that provides special education services to preschoolers with disabilities.  This person works under the direction of the Special Education Teacher and is responsible for sharing in the planning and daily programming for children in an inclusive preschool classroom.  The Teaching Assistant implements curriculum activities and provides educational interventions and behavioral support to children as needed.  The Teaching Assistant is accountable for providing educational support in accordance with student individualized education programs (IEPs).    

Responsibilities:

• Support a welcoming, clean and orderly classroom environment that is culturally responsive and fosters high expectations for children.
• Express a supportive and caring demeanor to relate sensitively to children, families, classroom staff, and multidisciplinary providers.
• Work with the Special Education Teacher and other team members to develop lesson plans and implement learning activities in the daily program.   
• Assist in all daily functions of the classroom, including setting up of activities, meals, toileting, and cleaning.  
• Review IEPs for all children in the classroom, to understand the developmental needs of the children and to assist children in progressing toward IEP goals. 
• Provide educational support to children on a one-to-one basis, in small groups, and in large groups as appropriate. 
• Actively engage with children through conversation and play at all times of the day, in a way that is developmentally appropriate and on their level (e.g., on the floor).
• Implement positive classroom management strategies for effective functioning of the classroom and to promote positive student-teacher interactions. 
• Assist in the design and modification of the classroom environment to meet the needs of the group and individual children.
• Assist the Special Education Teacher with monitoring children’s development and learning with ongoing assessment strategies and data collection strategies.
• Participate in the development of behavioral/therapeutic interventions, and maintain consistency with implementation of interventions.
• Ensure implementation of lesson plans and consistency in programming in the absence of the Special Education Teacher, including taking on lead teacher responsibilities when appropriate.
• Attend weekly classroom/team meetings and other program meetings as directed by the Special Education Teacher and/or Program Administrator.
• Maintain professional, positive, and productive relationships with children, families, agency staff, visitors, outside agencies, and the general public.
• Maintain up-to-date child and classroom records, including health monitoring and attendance.
• Cooperate with other staff members to maintain standards of professionalism throughout the center.
• Attend workshops, conferences, and in-service training programs as required.
• Other Duties as Assigned: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Department & Program Specific Responsibilities:

• Follow all State Education regulations and Elmcrest program policies and procedures, as well as ESM School District policies and procedures.

Elmcrest’s Core Values & Competencies:

• Honesty: Act with integrity and behave in a manner consistent with our policies, Code of Conduct and any regulatory and ethical guidelines. Utilize practices and techniques professionals train to interact with children, families and co-workers appropriately.
• Willingness to Learn: Open to new experiences and learning new skills and information that can improve professional development, progressive work environments and support the mission of Elmcrest.
• Dedication to Purpose: Display the necessary passion and empathetic abilities to serve the Elmcrest mission. Committed to improve the lives of children and families.
• Social Concern: Value human dignity and have respect for others. Actively seek out diverse approaches and points of view.
• Self-Examination: Systemically observe, analyze and utilize self-reflection to improve actions or results. Listen to constructive feedback and concerns and maintain positive relationships in the workplace.

Competencies: 

• Experience with young children.
• Ability to present with warmth, nurturing and kindness.
• Willingness to be a team player and work in a collaborative teaming environment.
• Knowledge of child development.
• Knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory integration, developmental delays, and behavioral interventions preferred.

Required Education and Experience: 

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Associate’s degree or Bachelor’s degree preferred, in early education, psychology, human services, or related field.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications: 

• New York State Teaching Assistant certification preferred, but not required for employment.

Essential Job Qualifications:

• Ability to lift 50 pounds without assistance.
• Ability to sit, squat, crouch and stand for elongated periods of time.
• Ability to lift arms over head in upward reaching motion. 
• Ability to walk up and downstairs up to several times per day.

Equal Opportunity Statement: Elmcrest Children’s Center prohibits discrimination of any kind based on race, color, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.

Accommodations: Elmcrest Children’s Center will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability so that they can perform the essential functions of a job unless doing so causes a direct threat to these individuals or others in the workplace and the threat cannot be eliminated by reasonable accommodation or if the accommodation creates an undue hardship to Elmcrest Children’s Center. Contact Human Resources with any questions or requests for accommodation.

At Will Employment: Your employment with Elmcrest Children’s Center is at will. This means your employment is for an indefinite period of time and it is subject to termination by you or Elmcrest Children’s Center, with or without cause, with or without notice, and at any time. Nothing in this job description or in any other policy of Elmcrest Children’s Center shall be interpreted to be in conflict with or to eliminate or modify in any way, the at-will employment status of Elmcrest Children’s Center employees.