Teacher Assistant - Special Education (2026-27)

Duties And Responsibilities

• Prepares classroom materials in accordance with needs of children
• Arranges and decorates the classroom environments to fit the needs of, and interests of, young developmentally delayed, emotionally disturbed, learning disabled, and/or other special education students
• Encourages and assists students develop self-help skills
• Works with individuals, small groups, or large groups of students as assigned by teacher
• Collects data on student performance and progress as directed by the teacher
• Observes and monitors students' progress and emotional behavior
• Maintains complete and accurate student records
• Accompanies students to and from lunchroom, buses, and on field trips
• Escorts children as needed to classroom activities
• Aids in classroom discipline
• Aids the teacher in providing for the social, emotional, and physical needs of special education students
• Takes appropriate action in instances of special medical needs
• Maintains a safe and positive learning environment
• Assists students in preparing for the transition from the self-contained class to the mainstream when appropriate
• Provides input to the teacher in planning daily and long-range programs for students
• Aids in skills practice and reinforcement activities previously introduced by the teacher, either individually or in small groups
• Performs clerical duties, including preparing and operating audiovisual equipment, photocopying, laminating, typing, and other computer related skills
• Checks and updates files, attendance, and other classroom operation records
• Maintains a clean and orderly environment
• Participates in school and district staff development programs and scheduled meetings
• Models the WJCC Strategic Plan Values: Individualism, Integrity, Innovation, Accountability and Collaboration

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities Required)

• High school diploma or GED certificate
• As of September 1, 2014, all exceptional education instructional assistants must complete the required autism paraprofessional training as outlined by the Virginia Department of Education and provide documentation to Human Resources to be eligible for employment
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing
• Basic computing and spelling skills required
• Concern for general welfare of children, ability to accept and support all children, and maintain confidentiality
• Experience in nursing, childcare, or special education preferred
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with teachers, parents, students, and administrators
• Patience, flexibility, dependability, interest, punctuality, and ability to follow directions
• Special Education Aide II: completion of a minimum of 48 hours of college credit

Supervision Exercised

• Marks classroom activities in absence of the teacher

Supervision Received

• Performs duties under the supervision of principal

Working Conditions And Physical Requirements

• Subject to a wide variety of behavioral situations associated with developmentally-delayed students
• Duties are normally performed in a school/classroom environment
• Duties may be occasionally performed on field trips away from school
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud
• Duties may involve risk resulting from attending to students' physical or sanitation/hygiene needs
• Significant standing; some walking, moving, climbing, carrying, bending, kneeling, crawling, reaching, handling, pushing and pulling
• Must have the ability to lift or move 50 lbs