Teacher Assistant: Special Education - Marley Elementary

About the Role

This position is at a Title I school and supports the instructional program under the direction of the classroom teacher or service provider. The role involves assisting in the 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 to support and reinforce classroom objectives.
• Assists in implementing instructional programs and lesson plans, providing instruction to students in individual and group activities.
• Participates in the implementation of Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and behavioral plans for students with 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.
• Assists with administering immediate first aid and medical assistance as instructed by a health care professional (e.g., diapering, tube feeding, colostomy bags, medication).
• Assists students with personal care tasks, including bathroom needs, clothing, hygiene, and toileting.
• Applies and removes physical therapy appliances as instructed by the service provider according to the IEP plan.
• Assists students with mobility needs, including lifting and positioning, transferring in and out of wheelchairs, and loading/unloading on the bus.
• Transports students in wheelchairs in and around school and on field trips.
• Assists students with accessing electronic communicators, switches, pointers, and feeders.
• Assists with pre-lunch and lunch activities and monitors students during assigned periods in various school environments.
• Performs other related duties as assigned within the same classification or lower.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or Equivalency Certificate required.
• For Title I schools: 48 college credit hours or a passing score on a paraprofessional assessment issued by ETS or NES.
• Previous experience working with students with disabilities preferred.
• Hold or be eligible for a Driver’s License (DL) Class C Non-Commercial issued by Maryland or State of Legal Residence (MVA/DMV).
• Daily access to reliable transportation.

Skills

• Considerable patience and ability to work with students who have physical, cognitive, and behavioral 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.
• Proficiency with business software (e.g., video/web conferencing, Microsoft Office Suite—Word, Excel, Outlook, and/or PowerPoint).

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/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: Office, school, or similar indoor environment over 2/3 of the time; moderate noise level between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.
• Travel: 20% daily travel within the county to assist at other locations (e.g., schools, parks, libraries) as needed.

To work in a higher grade (SG06), employees must complete 30 semester-hour credits from a regionally accredited college or university, maintain an effective and orderly work environment, and comply with general office procedures.