Teacher Assistant: Bilingual - Tyler Heights Elementary

This position is at a Title I school which requires at least 48 college credits or the passing of the Parapro exam.

About the Role

Assists the instructional staff in implementing programs related to language, literacy, and academic growth for dual language learners. Provides literacy instruction to children in the native language, facilitates comprehension, and supports literacy development in the home language and in English. Performs various non-instructional tasks in support of the teaching-learning process. Assists in the supervision of children in the classroom.

Bilingual Teacher Assistants (TAs) funded through Community School grant funds will also provide support for directly communicating with and supporting families and providing needed bilingual support to students to increase access and opportunity in encore classes, magnet programs, co-curricular, extracurricular, and other school opportunities where bilingual communication is crucial for safety and/or equal access.

Responsibilities

• Works directly with students individually or in small groups to provide native language literacy instruction.
• Assists families in learning skills to support native language literacy in the home.
• Assists teachers in planning and implementing instruction through modifications to support dual language learners.
• Prepares a variety of instructional materials.
• Assists in management of instructional materials and classroom organization.
• Organizes materials for each group of students.
• Sets up learning stations and activity centers.
• Supervises students and assists with native language support.
• Provides assistance to the instructional staff in the supervision of students in the classroom. May supervise lunch, playground, or bus duty.
• May accompany language learners to cultural arts classes to provide native language support, as needed.
• May accompany students on field trips.
• May refer or accompany disruptive students to the principal.
• Observes and gathers assessment data on students, particularly in native language literacy growth.
• Records student data through appropriate formats (e.g., online forms or records).
• May perform some clerical tasks to support the English Language Acquisition teacher, including student file management.
• Works with teachers and students on special projects and assignments.
• Attends and actively participates in staff development activities.
• Works in coordination with the Bilingual Facilitator and English Language Acquisition teacher to provide consistent communication and support to multi-lingual families.
• May assist with Pre-K and Kindergarten English Language assessment screening.
• May be temporarily assigned to support language screening assessment at the International Welcome Center, as needed.
• Bilingual TAs funded through Community School grant funds will primarily provide support for:
  • Directly communicating with families;
  • Increasing English learner access and opportunity in encore classes, magnet programs, co-curricular, extracurricular, and other school opportunities; and
  • Bilingual communication to ensure safe and welcoming classrooms.
• Performs other related duties as assigned within the same classification or lower.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or Equivalency Certificate required.
• To work in a Title I-funded school, 48 college credit hours or a passing score on a paraprofessional assessment issued by ETS or NES is required.
• Bilingual/Biliterate in English and Spanish (native or near-native proficiency) required.
• Previous experience working with culturally and linguistically diverse children and families preferred.

Skills

• Willingness to learn about instructional best practices for dual language learners.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other educators in a school setting.
• Ability to understand and appreciate linguistic diversity.
• Willingness to support the mission and vision of the English Language Acquisition program.
• Ability to use instructional technology.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work and communicate with diverse populations.
• Demonstrated proficiency with business technology applications (e.g., video/web conferencing, Microsoft Office Suite – Word, Excel, Outlook, and/or PowerPoint preferred).

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

• Standing: under 1/3 of the time
• Walking: under 1/3 of the time
• Sitting: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• Keyboarding: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• Talking: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• Hearing: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• Lifting and carrying up to 10 pounds: under 1/3 of the time
• Work environment: Office, school, or similar indoor environment (over 2/3 of the time)
• Noise level: Moderate (between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time)