Teacher Assistant - Special Education (Behavior Support)

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
• 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

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