Special Education Teaching Assistant

About AppleTree

With the mission of closing the achievement gap before students get to kindergarten, AppleTree focuses exclusively on Preschool and Pre-K education. We provide free, full-day public charter school programming for three- and four-year olds in 13 locations across Washington, DC,  employing our innovative and award-winning instructional model, called Every Child Ready (ECR). This instructional model provides educators with tools and resources for “What to Teach”, “How to Teach” and “How to Measure Success.” Our instructional model is also used with partners across the nation. We continuously test and improve this model through feedback from AppleTree educators, partners and other stakeholders to ensure that children are learning and exploring through play and appropriate instruction.

Position Summary

During the instructional day, the Special Education Teacher Assistant works within the instructional team consisting of either the lead teacher or co-leads.   This incumbent provides individual instructional support for children with Individualized Educational Plans (IEP) using intensive, evidence-based strategies under the direct supervision of the Compliance Manager and secondary supervision from the campus principal. Training will be provided upon hiring.

What you’ll do…

Supports the creation of environments and instructional opportunities that meet the needs of diverse learners.

• Supports the creation of environments and instructional opportunities that meet the needs of diverse learners

• Coordinates with related service providers, as appropriate, to integrate best practices into daily learning opportunities.

• Uses information and data from a variety of sources to understand children’s instructional needs and progress against IEP goals

• Provides individualized developmental, behavioral, and academic supports to improve children’s skill development in support of children’s IEP goals.

• Consistently implements developmental, behavioral, and academic strategies outlined in children’s IEPs through individual, small group, and whole-group instructional opportunities

• Interprets written teaching strategies, collects and documents data, and summarizes the results

Supports the establishment of rich and engaging physical learning environments

• Ensures a safe, clean, attractive and engaging centers-based classroom that encourages both exploration and complex play for children with special needs

• Fosters tolerance and a sense of community in classrooms, modeling and explicitly teaching acceptance and appreciation of others

• Works with the teaching team to ensure the classroom contains sufficient supplies and materials for individualized instructional support

• Assist young children with personal hygiene, meals and other daily activities

Collaborates with families and communities to support children’s social, emotional and cognitive development

• Actively seeks to make connections with the families of children

• Develops an effective rapport with children and families

• Communicates the individual children’s goals and progress to families and ways in which the family can support their child at home

• Listens to families’ feedback and suggestions regarding their children’s strengths, opportunities, challenges and successes

Contributes to a Community of Practice

• Plans collaboratively and shares ideas and resources with the instructional team

• Collaborates with the teaching team to evaluate instructional effectiveness and to modify instructional approaches based on feedback

• Actively participates in professional development opportunities provided and seeks out additional professional development

• Fulfills the standards of professionalism, including appropriate dress, attendance and timeliness 

What we’re looking for…

• (1) obtained an associate's (or higher) degree; or (2) Child Development Associates credential 

• Have prior work or volunteer experience with children or students with special needs

• Be committed to meeting the needs of a diverse student population

• Strong writing skills to document daily outcomes are required to maintain records and documentation

• Must be energetic, reliable, integrity-driven and have strong communication skills to ensure effective, positive interactions with their teaching team, staff, parents, and children

• A solution-focused, collaborative work style, patience and a sense of humor are also required

• Must be able to climb stairs and lift 45 lbs. This position may require you to change pull-ups

• Interested in working with students with disabilities and possesses the interpersonal skills to be playful, enthusiastic, and bring a high level of energy into the classroom setting.

• Able to develop an effective rapport with children and families. 

What's in it for you…

• Competitive Salary 

• Employee Health Benefits that are in the 95th percentile of other schools in the DC Metro Area

• Fully covered Dental

• Benefits for you and all eligible dependents

• Fully covered Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Accidental Death and Dismemberment and Life insurance with buy-up options 

• Free Online Wellness Platform for you and up to 4 eligible dependents 

• Competitive Paid Time Off, including early close Mental Health Days

• 5% Employer Contribution to your Retirement Account (whether you contribute or not)

• AppleTree Scholarship to pay for continued education

• Network Professional Development Opportunities