Teacher Assistant
: Job Details :

Please send a resume and cover letter to ...@ibrainnyc.org unless a specific job description specifies otherwise.

Teacher Assistant

The International Academy for the Brain (iBRAIN-Academy) is one of the largest brain-injury special education programs in the world. iBRAIN-Academy's mission is to research, develop, and implement special education and related services for school-aged (3 to 21 years of age) students, as well as the development of a fully-inclusive education model, predicated on our Common Planning and Clinical-Educational Grand Rounds Model.

iBRAIN-Academy is headquartered in New York City with current locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Washington, D.C. iBRAIN is expanding to add an out-patient clinic (iBRAIN-Center), as well as growing its research efforts for the brain injury and brain-based disorders community (iBRAIN-Institute).

Position Title:

Teacher Assistant (TA)

Salary Range:

$50,000-$65,000 (based on years of experience)

Reports to:

Special Education Teacher; Deputy Director of Special Education

Job Type:

Full time; in person (no remote/hybrid)

Position Summary:

A teacher assistant at iBRAIN-Academy assists the classroom under the direction of the head teacher. This could include working with individual students, groups of students, and assisting with 1:1 direct instruction (following the teacher's plan) in the teacher's absence. Teaching assistants are responsible for understanding the care of the individual students in the class, and the plans and schedules specific to each student. The teaching assistant may need to fill in for 1:1 paraprofessional and must be prepared to do so at any time. This will involve assisting students with personal hygiene (toileting), body checks, and transfers.

In addition, teaching assistants may be assigned responsibilities including assisting with data collection, organization of student information, creation of materials for students, and preparing activities as directed by the teacher.

Location(s):

New York (Manhattan or Brooklyn; iBRAIN-Academy campus)

Responsibilities:

* Assist the lead teacher with creation of lesson plans and class activities, including setting up equipment as needed

* Implement special education teachers' lesson plans

* Ensure that there is always an appropriate group activity available to students

* Communicate with therapists and facilitate push-in sessions in collaboration with the teacher

* Work with the lead teacher to monitor and ensure compliance with class schedule and individual student schedules

* Assist in creating and modifying lesson materials for specific students individually or in small groups

* Ensure the classroom environment is safe and clean

* Oversee students during non-classroom times including in-between classes, during lunch, and on field excursions

* Collaborate with lead teachers to recognize issues students are facing and recommend solutions

* Under the direction of the head teacher, document student activities and communicate with parents to keep them informed

* Comply with state, school, and class rules and regulations

* Attend all training classes, parent conferences, and faculty meetings as required

* Other duties as assigned by the special education teacher and/or Deputy Director of Special Education

* Identify at least 3 knowledge gaps and/or competency areas annually, and share them with the iBRAIN Postgraduate Continuing Education Program

Characteristics of a Teaching Assistant

Successful and effective teaching assistants share many of the same qualities. These include:

* Flexibility: Teacher Assistants must work with their assigned teacher in the classroom. This requires a degree of flexibility as they assist the teacher in their daily teaching duties.

* Dependability: Teacher Assistants grow to depend on their teacher aides to assist them in the classroom. Their plans might sometimes include the need for additional supervision by the teacher assistant if the class is divided into groups.

* Ability to communicate: Teaching is all about interactions and communication. The Teacher Assistant needs to be able to interact with the teacher, therapists, 1:1 RA/paraprofessionals, and students on a continual basis.

* Love of learning & Professionalism: Teacher Assistants need to show through their words and actions that they find value in what is being taught. They should never talk badly about the teacher or other staff.

* Love of children and teenagers: The Teacher Assistant will be dealing with children and teenagers each day. Therefore, they need to enjoy being around this population and believe that each can succeed in this position.

Qualifications

* Teaching Assistants must have a completed bachelor's degree OR be actively completing a bachelor's degree in a related area (education, psychology, neuroscience, etc.)

* Teaching Assistants are expected to have an NYS Teaching Assistant Certification or proof of scheduled exam

* A minimum of 1 year of classroom experience working with students with special needs preferred

* Exceptional interpersonal, problem solving, communication skills, along with the ability to take initiative, and a highly flexible personality type

* Must be capable of lifting a minimum of 50 pounds independently

* Must be detail-oriented, focused, highly motivated, and able to work as part of a team

* Must be able to pass ALL of the FREE E-learning Short Courses in Clinical Research from The Global Health Training Centre website (

Benefits:

Health insurance, Dental insurance, Vision insurance, Paid time off

Hours:

Monday through Friday, 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Please note this position adheres to iBRAIN-Academy's calendar.

Note: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and/or qualifications associated with the position.

Employment with iBRAIN is contingent upon successful completion of any and all post-screening processes, including a reference and background check, and license/certification/degree verifications if/where applicable.

Please send a resume and cover letter to ...@ibrainnyc.org unless a specific job description specifies otherwise.