Teacher Aide

Teacher Aide The Teacher Aide reports to the Director of the T.K. Martin Center. Responsible for caring and teaching for young children with special needs and interacting positively with staff, parents, and university students. The T.K. Martin Center anticipates filling up to two (2) positions from this job posting, with August 1, 2026, as the anticipated start date. While the position is advertised as nine-months, it is functionally ten-months per year (August 1-May 31 annually). Salary Grade: 08 Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department. The T.K. Martin Center provides comprehensive, multi-disciplinary evaluations to remove limitations through the application of assistive technology, allowing individuals to participate in educational, vocational and leisure activities to the fullest degree they choose. The comprehensive nature of the services offered ensures that the correct solutions are achieved efficiently and effectively, with needs being met in a one-stop shop. The Center staff provide services and outreach for individuals with disabilities of all ages including assistive technology, art, early intervention, psychological, behavioral, and dyslexia services. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Assist the Lead Teacher with instructional lessons, providing individualized support to students with special needs from birth through elementary school. Develop and provide instructional lessons to support new learning experiences. Implement instructional and behavioral plans based on individual student goals. Provide for the education, care, safety, and well-being of all children, while meeting the children's emotional, social, physical, communication, behavioral, and intellectual needs. Provide direct care to students including carrying, toileting, changing diapers and clothing, and feeding. Must be able to lift children into chairs, standing frames, and wheelchairs and sit on the floor with ease and move to standing quickly. Attend individualized education plan meetings when invited by classroom teacher or director. Maintain data for all students on educational goals and plans. Demonstrate a warm, calm, safe, and unhurried manner, serving as a role model for students and interns. Supervise and coordinate interns, student workers, and other university students participating or observing in the classroom. Maintain a cooperative relationship with children, co-workers, university students, and parents. Attend staff meetings; report problems of child or room management to the director promptly. Attend in-service training; keep current on developments in field of special education and child development. Manage a safe, clean, and pleasant environment for young children. Serve as substitute during teacher absences from the classroom. Lift 50 pounds regularly. Performs any related duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications High school diploma and experience with children. Preferred Qualifications 1. Two years work experience in early childhood. 2. Experience in a special education/general education classroom teaching or assisting for one or more years for children ages five and under. 3. Experience supporting therapies in the classroom, such as physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, or applied behavior analysis. 4. Bachelor's degree in child development, education, or a closely related field. 5. Holds a Mississippi Department of Education teacher license. 6. Prior experience with supervising interns. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities • Able to anticipate and adapt to the needs of children • Must be able to organize and execute daily activities • Works well with other staff • Intermediate computer literacy skills in email, Microsoft Office Working Conditions and Physical Effort Must be able to care for children birth to adolescence, including carrying, feeding, and changing clothing and diapers. Must be able to sit and work with children on floor mats or lifting them into chairs, standing frames or wheelchairs for extended periods of time. Regularly involves bending, quick movement, and other physical exertion (kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, light running). Must be able to lift and carry 50-75 pounds, pick up a 50-pound child, and able to provide adaptive care (e.g., changing diapers, feeding, transporting from wheelchair to stander). Must be able to move quickly and transition from sitting to standing with ease and efficiency. Vision requirement: ability to see children's actions and information in print/electronic formats. Instructions for Applying Applicants must apply online and attach a resume, cover letter, and the complete contact information for three professional references. Restricted Clause Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. Box 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, View phone number on click.appcast.io. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io. If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.