Special Education Teacher Assistant

About the role

This position provides support under the supervision of a certified staff member to assist in classroom activities, reinforce learning, and manage student behavior.

Responsibilities

• Assists students individually and in small groups to reinforce basic learning and implement assigned programs.
• Works with professional staff to administer and correct classroom exercises, tests, and assessments.
• Aids in classroom preparations and strategies for reinforcing instructional materials and skills according to individual student needs.
• Assists with record-keeping procedures to document student learning and performance.
• Affords assistance in classroom behavioral management to ensure a safe and orderly environment.
• Assists students in non-instructional areas such as supervising lunch programs, bus duty, playground duty, and other related duties.
• Accompanies students on field trips for supervision purposes.
• Constructs, copies, and distributes educational materials as needed.
• Supports parent contact to foster effective and participatory parent involvement in student education.
• Affords assistance to students with special needs in all aspects of classroom instruction to maximize inclusion, learning, achievement, and IEP objectives.
• Participates in the IEP process as requested and serves as a resource for the student personnel evaluation team.
• Affords assistance to students with physical or mental disabilities with activities of daily living to maximize their ability to participate in school or learning activities.
• Follows all applicable safety rules, procedures, and regulations governing the proper manner of assistance for all students, including those with disabilities or other special needs.

Additional Duties

• Assists guidance, pupil services staff, or building administration, as needed.
• Performs any other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Skills to effectively work with severely handicapped students and other professionals.
• Awareness of proper body mechanics for lifting students or heavy objects.
• Prior experience working with special needs children is desirable.