Teacher Assistant

Location: New York

* 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.
* Collects 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.
* Assists with 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 coordination of 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 school wide meetings including specialized or student-specific needs, supports and/or trainings or other interdepartmental and school wide meetings, as requested.
* Assists in the 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.
* Collaborating with education, related services and classroom support staff across MSA regarding individual students receiving behavior or transition services to provide information and training related to associated plans, goals, data collection and implementing supports.
* Regularly observes or supports students in a variety of settings, including while traveling to and on-site at internship and employment sites across New York City.
* Assists MSA leadership and individual students with identifying goals and ambitions and participates in the development and implementation of person-centered strategies and plans.
* Provides support for students in attaining their goals in area of assignment, including travel training and on-site job skills training and coaching at internship and employment sites or through application and monitoring of behavior strategies and interventions directed toward development and/or enhancement of skills.
* Attends and participates in additional trainings and meetings specific to students’ specialized needs, goals and supports relating to behavior…