Full Time Instructional Assistant

for Sulam@JDS in the 2023-2024 school year

Who We Are

Sulam@JDS is an exciting new initiative between the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School (CESJDS) and Sulam. This inclusion program is for students with diverse learning needs at CESJDS Lower School, providing them with the highly specialized support they need while attending a rigorous, pluralistic independent Jewish day school.

CESJDS is a leading JK-12 pluralistic independent Jewish day school that is known for its strong academics, comprehensive program, and commitment to Jewish values, learning, and Israel. For more than twenty years, Sulam has and continues to provide expertise in special education for students with learning differences in local schools.

Sulam@JDS is a highly collaborative program that partners with all stakeholders; parents, students, general educators and specialists, to ensure a meaningful, high quality individualized program for each student. We believe that every student is valuable to our community and has the right to be included in all aspects of their community school. We provide the necessary educational, social, and emotional support to ensure success and maximize possibilities and potential.

New Certification Program!

Sulam@JDS is now offering a side-by-side 2-year program through Touro University, resulting in 12 credits that can be:

  • A Certificate in Special Education

  • Applied to an undergraduate or post-graduate degree

Salary Range

$32,000–$38,000 (commensurate with qualifications/experience)

Job Description

The role of Special Education Instructional Assistant is a unique opportunity to both contribute to and learn from a collaborative team of experienced professionals from two stellar organizations. The person in this position will receive ongoing training and support from experts in special education and related disciplines, as well as direct supervision from a special educator.

Responsibilities include: 

  • Providing academic, social, emotional, and/or behavioral support to Sulam@JDS students in inclusive settings, including:

    • CESJDS classrooms

    • Lunch, recess, activities, programs, assemblies, trips, etc.

  • Supporting the implementation of students’ academic accommodations and modifications

  • Supporting the implementation of students’ social, emotional, and/or behavioral support plan 

  • Collecting data on student performance and progress

  • Communicating regularly with the Sulam@JDS team, CESJDS teachers, and students’ parents

Qualifications and characteristics:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Special Education or a related field

  • Experience working with school-age children in educational and/or recreational settings

  • Ability to support students with Hebrew language and Judaic studies curriculum

  • Positive energy and enthusiasm; passionate commitment to helping children meet with success

  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written

  • Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills

  • Desire to learn, read and grow in knowledge

  • Responsive to direction and feedback

  • Ability to assess the environment and take initiative

  • Flexibility to adapt to circumstances and challenges in the moment

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to DJ Kaplan, Program Director of Sulam@JDS, at dkaplan@cesjds.org.