Teacher Assistant: Special Education (.50 FTE) - Quarterfield Elementary

Performs duties under the direction of the classroom teacher and/or service provider to provide support and assist with the instructional program within the assigned school. Responsibilities include assisting in supervision and instruction of students with disabilities, observing and documenting student progress, implementing instructional plans, and providing for special health care, behavioral, and social/emotional needs. The position may be 10 or 12 months depending on assignment.

Responsibilities

• Adapts classroom activities, assignments, and/or materials under the direction of the classroom teacher for the purpose of supporting and reinforcing classroom objectives.
• Assists in implementing instructional programs and lesson plans and provides instruction to students in a variety of individual and group activities.
• Participates in the implementation of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and behavioral plans by the IEP team for students with behavioral needs or other special conditions.
• Performs clerical tasks to assist in the preparation of instructional materials.
• Maintains data collection and documentation of activities, assignments, and assistance provided to students.
• Attends meetings, professional development, medical, and behavioral trainings.
• May assist with administering immediate first aid and medical assistance as instructed by a health care professional (e.g., diapering, tube feeding, colostomy bags, medication, etc.), assists students with personal care tasks, including but not limited to, bathroom, clothing, hygiene, and toileting, and applies and removes physical therapy appliances as instructed by the service provider according to the IEP plan.
• Assists students with mobility needs such as lifting and positioning, in and out of wheelchairs; loading and unloading on the bus; transporting students in their wheelchairs in and around school and on field trips.
• Assists students with accessing their electronic communicators, switches, pointers, feeder, etc.
• Assists with pre-lunch and lunch activities and monitors students during assigned periods within a variety of school environments.
• 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, required.
• Previous experience working with students with disabilities preferred.
• Hold or be eligible for Driver's License (DL) Class C Non-Commercial issued by Maryland or State of Legal Residence (MVA/DMV) required; and daily access to reliable transportation.

Skills

• Considerable patience and the ability to work with students who have physical, cognitive, and behavior challenges.
• Willingness to learn and implement instructional methods, strategies, and techniques to assist teachers.
• Ability to employ a variety of teaching styles to respond to the needs of diverse learners.
• Ability to meet IEP goals and/or district benchmarks.
• Ability to present and/or reinforce learning concepts.
• Ability to ensure equipment is connected and functioning properly.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work and communicate with diverse populations.
• Demonstrated proficiency with business software (e.g., Video/Web Conferencing, Microsoft Office Suite-Word, Excel, Outlook, and/or PowerPoint preferred).

Physical Demands

• 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
• Driving: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• Lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time

Work environment is primarily indoors in an office, school, or similar setting with moderate noise levels. Travel requirements include 20% daily travel within the county to assist at various locations as needed.

Schedule

• Days Worked: 191 or 260 days per year
• Months Worked: 10 or 12 months depending on assignment
• Hours Worked: 7 hours per day