BASIC FUNCTION:

Safe Life Teaching Assistants work in a variety of community settings with individuals, who have developmental disabilities and/or autism, to assist teachers in delivering personal safety, abuse awareness, healthy relationship lessons.  Classes generally serve 8-12 students, or in special cases, may be conducted in 1:1 settings (one teaching assistant and one student overseen by a Safe Life Teacher). Lessons are usually taught by a team that is developed to best meet the needs of clients in the class –  for example, two teachers and one or more assistants, or one teacher and one assistant, etc.) Classes are taught on a predetermined schedule, with one class being taught each week over a 12-week period.  

SAFE LIFE TEACHING ASSISTANT WILL ASSIST TEACHER(S) IN THE FOLLOWING DUTIES:

• Help to teach individuals with disabilities skills for abuse prevention, personal safety, reporting, healthy relationships, self-determination, and overall well-being, as outlined in the Safe Life Project.
• Help to teach class sessions following the lesson topic schedule and prescribed concentration areas for each student.
• Help to adapt materials, presentation methods, and class environment as directed by teacher(s) to enable all students to reach their learning potential.
• Have knowledge of and ability to appropriately apply skills for positive behavior management.
• Help to take student attendance, follow up on absences, keep track of make-up work needed, and help to plan for and teach one make up class at end of the session, if needed.
• Help to provide class evaluations for each student to complete after each class. Help to collect and submit all completed evaluations to the Safe Life Project Program Manager.
• Assist the assessment team in completing, as needed, the post assessment summary report for each student. 
• Consider confidentiality when providing/completing, and collecting/submitting all evaluations and reports.
• Commit to agreed upon schedule for class sessions; usually one class per week for 12 weeks (unless classes for the session are scheduled differently, such as two classes per week for 6 weeks).

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE:

Minimum Qualifications:

1. High School Diploma or Equivalent 
2. Prefer experiences in working with students with developmental disabilities, or
3. Some college and other successful relevant experiences in teaching, facilitating, or coaching and a desire to work with individuals, who have developmental disabilities, to help improve their overall well-being and quality of life, and 
4.  A current CPR/First Aide certification.

Other Knowledge Needed:

• Teaching Assistant applicants are given preference if they have basic computer skills in Power Point, Word, and Excel, to the extent necessary for lesson presentation and record keeping.
• Teaching Assistants must be able to work positively with a wide range of disabilities, from mild to severe, including those with behavioral challenges, and including those with very limited experience (the naïve and vulnerable) to those with very extensive experience (those who may have been abused, are sexually active, and/or those coming from the criminal justice system).

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Successful Safe Life Teaching Assistant candidates must participate in periodic trainings which include a focus on participation as part of a teaching team and teaching strategies.  Compensation is provided.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Class settings are located in a variety of community facilities, from public buildings to church settings, etc.  There is not a one-stop location or one-type of classroom style.
• Teaching Assistants may need to check out/carry/set up/repack/care for general presentation equipment provided by the Safe Life Project, such as a projector or laptop.
• Teaching Assistants may need to assist students in wheelchairs periodically, adjusting chair position for optimal classroom learning. 

WORK YEAR:  Safe Life Teaching Assistants are part of an at-will employee pool.  Work opportunities may vary depending upon client intake and class schedules.  No health benefits are connected to this position.

COMPENSATION:  $15 per hour; usually hired to work in a two-hour class @ 12 CLASSES PER SESSION.  Each training is also compensated at $50 per in-service.

POSITION REPORTS TO:   The Safe Life Teaching Assistants reports to the CEO Team.

How to Apply:

 If you are interested in applying for this position, you will need to complete a letter of introduction and an application and send both documents to info@safelifeproject.org. You can download the application form by clicking the link below. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at info@safelifeproject.org

  Click Here For Application

The Safe Life Project

 Promoting Success by Addressing Physical, Social & Emotional Well-being