Therapeutic Assistant Teacher

Therapeutic Assistant Teacher – Early Education We seeking a caring, patient, and engaging Therapeutic Assistant Teacher to join our CoStars Growing Stars Classroom. In this role, you'll help create a nurturing, structured, and inclusive learning environment where preschool-aged children can grow socially, emotionally, and academically. Working alongside lead teachers and a multidisciplinary team, you'll support developmentally appropriate learning activities, individualized behavioral strategies, and trauma-informed practices tailored to each child's needs. You'll also build meaningful partnerships with families, helping children develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom. Compensation & Benefits At Best Point Education & Behavioral Health, we believe taking care of our employees is essential to taking care of our community. That's why we offer a comprehensive and affordable benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, career growth, and work-life balance. Our benefit costs are approximately 38% lower than those of other organizations our size, helping you keep more of what you earn. $16.50 - $18/hr Health & Wellness Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting as low as $27 per paycheck for eligible employees. Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contributions up to $1,200 annually for eligible plans covering two or more people. Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options. Free preventive care and wellness programs. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering confidential emotional, financial, legal, and personal support. Pet insurance options. Financial Security Competitive 403(b) retirement plan with up to a 4% employer match. Employer-paid life insurance valued at 2.5 times annual salary, up to $300,000, for eligible employees. Short- and long-term disability coverage. Educational loan forgiveness support and resources. Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility. Career Growth & Development Tuition reimbursement opportunities. 10% tuition discount for online programs through the University of Cincinnati. Leadership Academy and professional development programs at no cost. Interest-free personal computer loan program. Employee referral bonus opportunities, with bonuses up to $1,000. Continuing education opportunities and licensure supervision, where applicable. Time Away Generous paid time off (PTO), up to 34 days off in the first year for eligible employees. 10 paid holidays. Paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster placement. Work-life balance support. What You'll Do Early Learning & Classroom Support Supervise and engage children in daily classroom activities that promote social-emotional development, learning, and school readiness. Partner with lead teachers to implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans and early childhood curriculum. Balance child-led exploration with teacher-guided activities to encourage curiosity, independence, and growth. Help children develop positive social skills, problem-solving abilities, emotional regulation, and healthy interactions with peers. Model appropriate behavior and communication while encouraging children to build confidence and independence. Adapt activities and lesson plans to support individual learning goals and classroom needs. Social-Emotional & Therapeutic Support Use trauma-informed, RCFP, and co-regulation practices to respond to children's social-emotional and emerging behavioral health needs. Assist with implementing individualized behavioral support plans and classroom strategies. Help maintain a calm, predictable, and supportive classroom environment. Assist with developmental assessments, including DECA, Teaching Strategies, and Ages and Stages assessments. Collaborate with team members to monitor children's progress and identify opportunities for additional support. Support transitions into and out of the therapeutic classroom to help children experience successful changes in their educational environment. Child Safety & Classroom Environment Maintain active supervision of children and monitor their interactions throughout the day. Create a safe, healthy, welcoming, and developmentally appropriate learning environment. Follow all applicable childcare licensing, accreditation, and Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) standards. Maintain daily attendance records and complete required classroom documentation accurately and on time. Share housekeeping responsibilities and help maintain organized, clean classroom spaces. Use classroom materials and resources responsibly while minimizing waste. Family Partnerships & Team Collaboration Build positive, productive relationships with families and communicate regularly about children's development and well-being. Collaborate with lead teachers, early childhood developmental specialists, IEP teachers, occupational therapists, mental health therapists, and other professionals involved in children's support plans. Share observations and information to help ensure consistent strategies across the child's learning and support team. Participate in team meetings, coaching sessions, agency functions, and required professional development. Apply feedback and coaching recommendations to strengthen classroom practices. Protect confidential information and maintain professional, respectful communication with families, colleagues, and community partners. Qualifications High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate degree in Early Childhood Education or a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential preferred. Candidates with a high school diploma and relevant experience aligned with Ohio Professional Development Network Career Pathway Level 2 (CPL 2) will also be considered. Experience working in an early education or Head Start environment required. Knowledge of preschool social-emotional development and developmentally appropriate teaching practices. Valid driver's license preferred. Strong communication, teamwork, and organizational skills. Patience, flexibility, and a genuine commitment to supporting children with diverse developmental and social-emotional needs. Willingness to participate in required training, professional development, and ongoing coaching. Work Environment & Physical Requirements This position involves working in early childhood education, school, and behavioral health treatment environments. Employees may encounter children experiencing behavioral challenges, including shouting or verbal and physical aggression, and may be exposed to blood, vomit, or other bodily fluids. The role regularly requires sitting, standing, walking, bending, and lifting up to 50 pounds. Employees must be capable of sustained physical exertion and able to participate in required physical safety and restraint techniques when necessary to help ensure client safety. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Our Culture Best Point Education & Behavioral Health is a Greater Cincinnati nonprofit providing education, behavioral health, therapeutic, and autism services to children, families, and individuals in our community. We are committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive workplace where employees lead with compassion, professionalism, and respect for individual differences. We believe strong relationships among employees, children, and families are essential to creating lasting positive outcomes. Best Point Education & Behavioral Health is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other protected category. Ready to help young children build a strong foundation for lifelong success? Join Best Point and make a difference in the classroom, in families' lives, and throughout our community.