Description Teaching Assistant – Special Education Location: Newport News, VA Schedule: Monday – Friday 8:00 AM–4:00 PM At The Faison Center, we change lives daily. Our mission is to create transformative opportunities for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities. As a Teaching Assistant on our Richmond campus, you’ll play a vital role in delivering personalized instruction, supporting communication development, and helping students reach key milestones. If you’re passionate about working with children with developmental challenges—and exploring a future in teaching or behavioral health—this is a launchpad for your career. The Faison Center is a nationally recognized leader in autism services, known for investing in staff and cultivating professional growth. Whether you hold a BS/BA degree or have relevant experience, you’ll thrive in a workplace that values its employees and promotes work-life balance. No prior experience? No problem—we provide robust training, so you feel confident and supported in your role. You’ll: • Teach new skills one-on-one or in small groups across varied settings • Facilitate participation in recreational and physical education activities • Assist with off-campus community-based learning experiences • Track student progress through data collection • Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to support educational and personal goals • Help with daily living activities, including hygiene and toileting as needed • Support individuals who may exhibit challenging behaviors Benefits: • Paid instructional breaks (approx. 28 days annually) • Sick leave and vacation accruals • Tuition assistance/reimbursement for approved studies • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance • 403B retirement plan with employer contributions • Employee discount programs via Working Advantage • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) • Multiple pathways for career advancement Requirements Educational Requirements • High school diploma or equivalent (required) • Associate or Bachelor’s degree (preferred) • Experience supporting individuals with cognitive or physical disabilities is a plus—but above all, we value compassion, patience, and a desire to make a lasting difference in people's lives. Essential Physical Requirements • Lift 50 pounds, continuously (and keep back straight while doing so) • Bend at all joints fluently • Move in and out of and maintain a kneeling position for up to five minutes • Reach in all directions • Grasp using both hands • Move quickly in both confined and open spaces to avoid safety issues, continuously • Run in order to retrieve an individual who is moving quickly away from staff, continuously • Maintain balance while lowering to a half squat position