Join Our Team!
Do you have a passion for helping students succeed and a heart for making a difference? If you’re looking for a rewarding role that aligns perfectly with the school calendar — including holidays off — being a teaching assistant is the perfect fit.
General Information
The Niskayuna Central School District employs teaching assistants in a variety of capacities throughout the district at all educational levels in all schools. Teaching assistants generally assist with instruction in various classroom settings.
This page is intended to provide guidance on how to become certified. Individuals who do not possess a teaching assistant certificate may be employed by the school district on as a daily substitute at approved substitute rate while they take the steps necessary to become certified.
Fingerprinting
All applicants for all positions in the Niskayuna Central School District must undergo a fingerprint-supported criminal history background check before working for the school district (even as a substitute). This background check usually takes a few days, but may take longer depending on process times with the New York State Education Department (NYSED). The Office of Human Resources will work with candidates to coordinate and schedule the appointment. Any questions about the process should be directed to the Office of Human Resources.
Certification Requirements
- Education: High school diploma or General Educational Diploma (GED) – All individuals must have a high school diploma or a GED to obtain a teaching assistant certification.
- Certification Exam: Foundations of Classroom Support and Instruction or Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills exam – All individuals must take and pass an assessment of teaching assistant skills exam. This is an online test given at certain local testing locations.
- Workshop: Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) – The DASA course is a six-hour in-person or virtual training workshop.
- Some providers are Capital Region BOCES (cost $0), Washington Saratoga Warren Hamilton Essex BOCES (cost $100), Galway Central School District (cost $60).
- Additional details about the course are available on the NYSED website. (Cost $0-100).
- Workshop: Child Abuse Identification and Reporting – This is a two-hour course that may be taken online at your own computer.
- Workshop: School Violence Prevention and Intervention – This is a two-hour course that may be taken online.
Application Instructions
It is recommended that you complete as many of the above requirements (in the order listed) before submitting your application for certification. To apply for the certification, please follow the following instructions:
- Apply online through the New York State Office of Teaching Initiatives website for a teaching assistant certificate.
- Click on the “Teach Online Services” icon in the left menu. If you do not have an account, you must create one.
- Once the login is complete, click “Apply for Certificate.”
- The area of Interest is “Teaching Assistants”
- The subject area is “Teaching Assistant”
- The grade level is “Pre K-12 – All Grades”
- The title is “Teaching Assistant”
- The type of certificate is “Initial TA Certificate”
- Finally, select the Capital Region BOCES to review your application
Questions
For further information on how the become a teaching assistant, please contact the Niskayuna Central School District Office of Human Resources at (518) 377-4666, ext. 50736 or the Capital Region BOCES Regional Certification Officer at (518) 862-4942.
RecruitFront
View all job opportunities within the district and apply online.
If there are no current openings, send an email to humanresources@niskyschools.org so we can add you to our follow-up list.
Non-discrimination Statement
The Niskayuna Central School District is an equal opportunity employer and committed to promoting the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age. Further, the District does not discriminate on the basis of religion or creed (including attire, clothing or facial hair worn as a form of religious observance), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military status, genetic status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, criminal arrest or conviction record, or any other basis prohibited by state or federal non-discrimination laws.