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Classroom Assistant Job – Friendship Academy

The Watson Institute is hiring a full-time classroom assistant at Friendship Academy, a special education school for children with emotional and behavioral disorders located 4 miles east of Pittsburgh, PA.

Job Benefits

At the Watson Institute, we invest in our employees personally and professionally. Check out a few of the employee benefits you’ll receive as a Watson employee:

  • Access to Tuition Reimbursement to pursue further education and advanced degrees.
  • Qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
  • Ongoing professional development through continued education opportunities, training, and direct staff support
  • Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage, and additional voluntary benefits
  • 403b retirement plan with employer contributions and match after 1 year of employment

Learn more about what it’s like to work at the Watson Institute!

Employment Type: Full-time

Classroom Assistant Responsibilities:

  • Under the supervision of the teacher, the Classroom Assistant will support the implementation of students’ Individualized Education Plan (Goals and Objectives, Positive Behavior Support Plan, and Specially Designed Instruction)
  • Maintain accurate records according to an established time frame
  • Use effective interpersonal skills to communicate with staff and to motivate and encourage students
  • Support students in classrooms, halls, cafeteria, gym or during emergency drills and community-based instruction
  • Assist in maintaining safe organization of classroom environment and adhere to all policies and procedures
  • Complete cab/lunch duty as scheduled
  • Organize and prepare lesson materials, bulletin boards, and equipment (stock supplies, copy, laminate)
  • Attend all scheduled meetings and participate effectively on transdisciplinary team
  • Participate actively in the supervisory process and engage in skill development activities
  • Other duties as assigned

Classroom Assistant Requirements:

  • High school diploma or GED
  • Bachelor of Science/Arts Degree preferred
  • One year experience working with children with disabilities preferred
  • Ability to interact with a variety of staff and students
  • Ability to exert moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some combination of bending, stooping, squatting, reaching, kneeling, or brisk walking
  • Ability to physically restrain students for their safety and the safety of others
  • Current PA Acts 34, 114 and 151 Clearances