Assistant Teacher

Since 1893, Helen Keller Services (HKS) has been committed to improving the lives of individuals who are blind, visually impaired or have combined hearing and vision loss. HKS serves the New York City/Long Island area from its new headquarters in dynamic downtown Brooklyn and the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults of Sands Point, New York, which has a network of regional offices that extends HKS’ reach across the United States.

We have an exciting full-time career opportunity to join the HKS team as an Assistant Teacher at our Childrens Learning Center in Brooklyn.

The Assistant Teacher will work in the Children’s Learning Center preschool and early intervention programs assisting the classroom teacher as needed. This involves working with groups of children and 1:1 with one particular child as mandated by the child’s IEP. This position runs on a 32.5-hour work week.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Instructional Duties

Provides instruction to students as directed by the teacher and guided by goals and objectives on the IEP.

Maintains a safe and healthy environment for the children in the classroom, during gym time, community trips and during bussing.

Supports individual students during group instruction as needed and directed to do.

Reinforces techniques from Therapy as directed by teacher and therapists.

Assists students in self-care activities (eating, dressing, toileting) and gives a level of support appropriate to the student’s level of functioning.

Maintains a positive attitude and verbal tone with all children and praises them when appropriate.

Attend to child when they are communicating, respect that communication, and respond to them appropriately.

Encourage communication, play, and social interaction between children.

Accompanies class on field trips and trips in the neighborhood.

Assists teacher, as requested, with any documentation concerning students and classroom activities.

Interaction with and concerning Families.

Maintain cordial and open communication with families at the school, parent center, and any school function.

Communicates to teacher information from or about the families that is relevant to the children and class.

Maintaining the classroom

Keeps track of classroom supplies and gets supplies for class as needed, submits receipts and forms for any approved petty cash.

Organizes teaching materials, toys, and other classroom items.

Prepares and organizes materials and set up for individual and group lessons.

Cleans and disinfects toys and equipment as needed.

Responsible for any and all other duties as may be deemed necessary for the safe, efficient, and effective operation of the classroom and program.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

High School Diploma or equivalency (Required)

Associate degree in early childhood education (Preferred)

Experience in a preschool setting (Minimum 2 years preferred)

Experience with children with disabilities, especially those with vision impairments (Minimum 2 years preferred)

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS

New York State certified as a Level I Assistant Teacher

At HKS we strive to provide a healthy work-life balance for our employees. We offer generous paid time off and a comprehensive benefit package including:

New York City Department of Education calendar, 32.5-hour workweek

Medical insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Voluntary Ancillary benefits

403b plan w/employer match

Career advancement opportunities

JOB TYPE: Full-time

SALARY: $30,000.00 – $35,000.00 per year

SCHEDULE: 7-hour shift

ABILITY TO COMMUTE/RELOCATE:

Brooklyn, NY 11201: Reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (Required)