Teaching Assistant

This Job is for You If You Want Real Purpose

ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education is hiring a Teaching Assistant for a Special Education Middle School program in Birmingham, AL. We're a growing organization with a social mission, not just a bottom line. You'll work in a setting where innovation is welcome, creative expression is encouraged, and the potential for personal and professional satisfaction is real. If you have patience, empathy, a positive attitude, and a strong work ethic, this might be the right spot for you.

You'll support Middle School students by providing personalized support, supervision, and guidance in the classroom and out in the community. You'll work closely with classroom educators to help implement each student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) ; tailoring instruction to how they learn best. Your work will help students build essential skills and real confidence.

What You'll Actually Do

• Work alongside classroom teachers to build a supportive, welcoming, high achieving learning environment where students feel safe and valued
• Implement individualized instruction and behavioral interventions both on site and in community settings, based on each student's goals
• Instruct and monitor students during classroom lessons, keeping instruction on track and using targeted strategies to improve comprehension and course completion
• Track each student's progress against timelines and let teachers know what's working and where more support is needed
• Manage student behavior in line with the school's philosophy and policies, applying consistent discipline with input from teachers
• Support students facing academic challenges ; help them grow and build community, vocational, leisure, domestic, academic, and social skills
• Complete clear, accurate, and timely documentation of student behaviors and performance; offer actionable observations to staff
• Help prepare behavioral reports, daily activity logs, and other required paperwork
• Communicate clearly and proactively with students, colleagues, supervisors, and families about student needs, achievements, and concerns
• Keep all student records and information strictly confidential
• Take part in assurance and accreditation activities to meet site performance standards
• Attend school wide, student parent, and advisory meetings to build collaborative support networks
• Respond to feedback ; both formal and informal ; in a positive, constructive way that shows professional growth
• Handle other duties as needed to support students and the school community

What You Need to Bring

• High school diploma or equivalent, plus passing a basic skills test
• An associate degree or higher in education or a closely related field is preferred
• A current paraprofessional, paraeducator, or education assistant credential ; or being in the process of getting one ; is preferred
• Ability to get and keep certification in the company's approved crisis management training
• Prior experience teaching, guiding, or supporting children ; ideally in an alternative, special education, or behavioral health program
• Strong skills working with children who have learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, emotional behavioral disorders, or other related disabilities
• Ability to think and act quickly and calmly in an emergency, and make independent decisions
• Solid motivational skills and willingness to adapt when priorities or initiatives change
• Strong communication, organization, conflict resolution, multitasking, problem solving, and decision making abilities
• Comfort with instructional technology, Microsoft Office Suite, database entry, and basic office equipment

Pay and Benefits

Starting rate is $17.00 per hour and up, depending on experience. That's the real number ; no vagueness.

ChanceLight offers a full benefits package, though the specific details weren't listed in the original posting. Candidates should ask about what's available during the interview process.

How to Apply

Send your resume through JobXi. Make sure it clearly shows your experience working with children, especially in special education or behavioral health settings, and any relevant credentials you hold or are pursuing.

ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education is the leading provider of behavioral health and education services for children and young adults in schools, community based settings, and residential treatment facilities across the nation.