Special Education Teaching Assistant Jobs
Special Education Teaching Assistant jobs are open across K-12 public schools, private schools, and therapeutic day programs, from entry-level aide to senior paraprofessional, with specializations in autism support, behavioral intervention, and life-skills instruction. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 4 of 80+ Special Education Teaching Assistant jobs
Position Title: Special Education Teaching Assistant (K-5)
Location: Archway Trivium ( 2001 N Bullard Avenue, Goodyear, Arizona)
Reports To: Headmaster
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Hourly
Hourly Rate: $16-$18
The Instructional Assistant is a non-certified assistant to the Special Education Program at the academy for both general education and special education resource classrooms. The assistant will work to support students in all settings on campus under the direction of and in collaboration with the certified Special Education teachers and General Education teachers. Additional duties may be included, depending on the experience and expertise of the candidate and the specific academy needs.
Distinctive benefits for Great Hearts faculty
- Exceptional Benefits (medical, dental, vision etc.) with minimal employee cost
- Matching 401K program
- Uniquely valuable professional development offerings, from great books seminars with academy colleagues, to leadership and special education coursework/pathways, to reduced tuition graduate degree support with select partner universities
Roles and Responsibilities:
Academic Support
- Supports students in small groups or 1:1
- Assist students with assignments, homework, projects
- Understanding how to adapt materials and provide modifications to help students learn the material
- Help students understand the classroom rules and reinforce the classroom rules
Behavior Support
- Monitor student behavior to ensure safety and appropriate interactions.
- Implement behavior management strategies
- Assist students with developing social skills, appropriate interactions, and positive behaviors
- Assist with de-escalating student behaviors and ask for support for General Education Teacher and Special Education Team Members as needed
- Reinforces SDI concepts that have already been in effect
Additional Support
- Help students with transitions and activities.
- Support students with personal hygiene needs such as toileting, feeding, and dressing
- Support students with mobility and adaptive equipment
- Provides general clerical support for the ESS Team
- Additional Duties
- Attend meetings and training sessions
- Help maintain a clean and organized work area
- Provide a supportive and positive learning environment
Required/Preferred Education: High school degree or higher Ideally, candidates will hold an associate's degree or higher. Associate degree (preferred) or two years/60 credit hours of higher education or a passing score on an appropriate ADE assessment.
Required/Preferred Experience: Has experience in special education.
Required/Preferred Skills: Excellent oral and written communication skills, and an interest in reading great books.
Physical Functions: Requires but is not limited to standing, sitting, repetitious hand and body movements, bending, squatting, and reaching. May be required to move or position equipment up to 15 pounds approximately.
US work authorization is required, but we do accept OPT/CPT candidates.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance in accordance with state requirements.
Travel required: May need to travel locally for training and professional development opportunities.
This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Great Hearts Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Position Title: Special Education Teaching Assistant (K-5)
Location: Archway Trivium ( 2001 N Bullard Avenue, Goodyear, Arizona)
Reports To: Headmaster
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Hourly
Hourly Rate: $16-$18
The Instructional Assistant is a non-certified assistant to the Special Education Program at the academy for both general education and special education resource classrooms. The assistant will work to support students in all settings on campus under the direction of and in collaboration with the certified Special Education teachers and General Education teachers. Additional duties may be included, depending on the experience and expertise of the candidate and the specific academy needs.
Distinctive benefits for Great Hearts faculty
- Exceptional Benefits (medical, dental, vision etc.) with minimal employee cost
- Matching 401K program
- Uniquely valuable professional development offerings, from great books seminars with academy colleagues, to leadership and special education coursework/pathways, to reduced tuition graduate degree support with select partner universities
Roles and Responsibilities:
Academic Support
- Supports students in small groups or 1:1
- Assist students with assignments, homework, projects
- Understanding how to adapt materials and provide modifications to help students learn the material
- Help students understand the classroom rules and reinforce the classroom rules
Behavior Support
- Monitor student behavior to ensure safety and appropriate interactions.
- Implement behavior management strategies
- Assist students with developing social skills, appropriate interactions, and positive behaviors
- Assist with de-escalating student behaviors and ask for support for General Education Teacher and Special Education Team Members as needed
- Reinforces SDI concepts that have already been in effect
Additional Support
- Help students with transitions and activities.
- Support students with personal hygiene needs such as toileting, feeding, and dressing
- Support students with mobility and adaptive equipment
- Provides general clerical support for the ESS Team
- Additional Duties
- Attend meetings and training sessions
- Help maintain a clean and organized work area
- Provide a supportive and positive learning environment
Required/Preferred Education: High school degree or higher Ideally, candidates will hold an associate's degree or higher. Associate degree (preferred) or two years/60 credit hours of higher education or a passing score on an appropriate ADE assessment.
Required/Preferred Experience: Has experience in special education.
Required/Preferred Skills: Excellent oral and written communication skills, and an interest in reading great books.
Physical Functions: Requires but is not limited to standing, sitting, repetitious hand and body movements, bending, squatting, and reaching. May be required to move or position equipment up to 15 pounds approximately.
US work authorization is required, but we do accept OPT/CPT candidates.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance in accordance with state requirements.
Travel required: May need to travel locally for training and professional development opportunities.
This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Great Hearts Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Special Education Teaching Assistant Jobs by Experience Level
See All 80 Special Education Teaching Assistant Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSpecial Education Teaching Assistant Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Kreyco29
- Great Hearts Academies11
- YES Prep Public Schools7
- Wellesley Public Schools3
- Fort Madison Community School District3
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in special education teaching assistant jobs.
- High school diploma or associate degree with paraprofessional certification or state equivalent
- Experience implementing individualized education programs and behavior intervention plans
- Knowledge of disability categories including autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, and emotional disturbance
- Ability to use data collection methods such as frequency counts and ABC charting
- Crisis prevention and de-escalation training such as CPI or equivalent certification
- Strong communication skills to collaborate with special education teachers, therapists, and families
Tips for Your Special Education Teaching Assistant Job Search
Tailor your resume to IEP language
Hiring teams scan resumes for IEP, individualized education program, and behavior intervention plan. Use those exact terms when describing your experience, and note specific disability categories you have supported, such as autism spectrum disorder or emotional disturbance.
List every relevant certification upfront
Paraprofessional certificates, CPR, crisis prevention intervention, and any state-specific aide permits belong in a dedicated credentials section near the top of your resume, not buried in a footnote. Many applicant tracking systems filter by these terms before a human sees your file.
Target districts by caseload size and model
Schools running co-taught inclusion classrooms need different skills than self-contained programs. Read each posting for references to inclusion, resource room, or substantially separate settings, then customize your cover letter to show you understand which model you are applying for.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists special education teaching assistant openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare data-based observation examples for interviews
Interviewers often ask how you track student progress. Walk in ready to describe a specific system you used, whether frequency counts, ABC data sheets, or digital logs, and explain how you shared that data with a supervising teacher or therapist.
Follow up by referencing student impact
After an interview, send a thank-you note that mentions one specific aspect of the school's program or student population that stood out. Principals and special education coordinators remember candidates who demonstrated they read the district's improvement plan or understood its community.
Special Education Teaching Assistant Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most special education teaching assistants?
The companies hiring the most special education teaching assistants right now include Kreyco, Great Hearts Academies, and YES Prep Public Schools, with the largest share of openings in New Jersey, New York, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Demand is highest during late summer as districts finalize staffing before the school year begins.
How many special education teaching assistant jobs are remote?
About 13% of special education teaching assistant openings are fully remote or hybrid as of September 2026, which is lower than most education roles because direct student support requires in-person presence. Remote opportunities are most common in virtual school programs and administrative paraprofessional roles that handle documentation and family coordination.
How do you become a special education teaching assistant?
Start by earning your high school diploma or GED, then complete a paraprofessional certification program or an associate degree in education, child development, or a related field. Check your state's department of education for specific licensure requirements, since requirements vary. Gaining hands-on experience through volunteering, substitute paraprofessional work, or internships in special education classrooms strengthens your application significantly.
Can you get hired as a special education teaching assistant with little experience?
Yes, many districts hire candidates with limited direct classroom experience if you can demonstrate relevant transferable skills and a genuine commitment to the work. Volunteering with disability-focused organizations, completing coursework in special education or applied behavior analysis, and obtaining a basic paraprofessional certificate all signal readiness. Substitute paraprofessional roles are a common entry point that often leads to permanent placement.
What does the special education teaching assistant interview process look like?
Most districts conduct an initial screening with a human resources coordinator, followed by a panel interview that typically includes a special education coordinator, a lead teacher, and sometimes a building principal. Expect scenario-based questions about de-escalating a student in crisis, supporting a student with an IEP during a general education activity, and communicating with a parent who disagrees with a behavior plan. Some districts request a brief observed classroom session before extending an offer.
Where can I find and apply to special education teaching assistant jobs?
You can find and apply to special education teaching assistant jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your experience, location preference, and the student population you want to support, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 80 Special Education Teaching Assistant Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs