Teacher Assistant/Driver

Brightwell Academy is seeking an energetic, student-centered Teacher Assistant/Driver to work directly with students in grades 7 through post-high school who have autism and age-appropriate or advanced cognitive and academic abilities and who benefit from individualized academic, social, behavioral, executive functioning, and transition support.

This is a highly student-focused position. The Teacher Assistant/Driver works alongside students throughout the school day and across the full educational experience, including classrooms, small-group and individualized learning, social activities, transitions, vocational experiences, community programming, field trips, and other school-sponsored activities.

Working collaboratively with the classroom teacher and educational team, the Teacher Assistant/Driver helps students access rigorous, meaningful learning experiences while developing independence, self-advocacy, communication, social engagement, executive functioning, and college, career, and community readiness.

The successful candidate will be an active participant in the classroom, not simply an observer or supervisory presence. This position requires someone who enjoys engaging with adolescents and young adults, building authentic relationships, supporting instruction, encouraging appropriate peer interaction, and helping students generalize skills from the classroom into real-world environments.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Works directly with students throughout all areas of the school day, including academics, social engagement, transitions, vocational programming, community experiences, and extracurricular activities.
• Works alongside the classroom teacher to support daily instruction, classroom activities, individual and small group learning, projects, and student-centered programming.
• Provides individual and small group instructional support across a variety of educational settings.
• Encourages student independence while providing appropriate prompting, modeling, reinforcement, and instructional support.
• Supports the development of communication, social skills, self-advocacy, executive functioning, problem solving, and positive peer relationships.
• Assists students in accessing academic content and using assistive, adaptive, and instructional technology as appropriate.
• Supports students in developing the skills necessary for successful participation in college, career, vocational, and community environments.
• Actively participates with students and teachers during field trips, community-based instruction, vocational experiences, recreational activities, and other experiential learning opportunities.
• Maintains knowledge of individual student strengths, needs, goals, interests, motivators, and appropriate supports.
• Assists the teacher and educational team with monitoring student progress and collecting educational, behavioral, social, and vocational data.
• Supports classroom routines, preparation of instructional materials, transitions, and maintenance of an organized and engaging learning environment.
• Promotes student dignity, self-worth, independence, inclusion, and meaningful participation throughout the school community.
• Maintains student confidentiality and required documentation consistent with ACES policies and applicable state and federal requirements.
• Participates in staff meetings, professional development, student-centered meetings, and required training.
• Provides safety assistance consistent with ACES safety management training and applicable regulations.
• Demonstrates professionalism, reliability, excellent attendance, flexibility, and a commitment to student success.

Transportation and Community Responsibilities

The Teacher Assistant/Driver may transport and accompany students to field trips, vocational opportunities, community-based instruction, recreational activities, internships, and other educational experiences.

Employees assigned driving responsibilities must maintain all required Connecticut licenses, endorsements, physical examinations, and training; demonstrate safe driving practices; maintain a safe and professional transportation environment; and follow ACES transportation policies and procedures.

Physical Demands

This position may require sitting, standing, walking, bending, lifting, and moving throughout school and community environments while supporting students. Employees must be able to provide appropriate supervision and safety assistance and meet applicable transportation responsibilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Work Environment

Brightwell Academy provides an educational environment designed to help adolescents and young adults with autism build upon their individual strengths while developing the academic, social, vocational, and independent living skills necessary for their future.

The Teacher Assistant/Driver is expected to be present, engaged, and actively involved with students throughout the entire educational experience. The position extends well beyond the traditional classroom and includes learning alongside students in classrooms, throughout the school, and within the community.

At Brightwell Academy, the Teacher Assistant/Driver is an important partner to the classroom teacher and an essential part of helping students become increasingly independent, confident, connected, and prepared for life beyond school.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; college degree preferred.
• Experience working with adolescents and young adults with autism or other neurodevelopmental differences preferred.
• Experience supporting students within educational, vocational, recreational, or community settings preferred.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, collaboration, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with teachers and multidisciplinary educational teams.
• Connecticut "V" endorsement and applicable driving requirements for positions involving student transportation.