Teacher Assistant: Special Education - Southern High

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, social/emotional, and mobility needs.

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; provides 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 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, positioning, transferring in and out of wheelchairs, and loading/unloading on buses.
• 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.
• Performs other related duties as assigned within the same classification or lower.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or Equivalency Certificate required.
• For Title I-funded 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

• 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 diverse learners.
• Ability to meet IEP goals and/or district benchmarks.
• Ability to present and 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

• 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

Schedule

• Position may be 10 or 12 months depending on assignment.
• Days Worked: 191 or 260 days per year.
• Hours Worked: 7 hours per day.
• 20% daily travel within the county to assist at various locations (e.g., schools, parks, libraries).

Benefits

Refer to the Terms of Employment, Benefits and Salary Scale for Unit 4 - SAAAAC (Secretaries and Assistants Association of Anne Arundel County).