Teaching Assistant (Lower School)

Position Summary

The Teaching Assistant (TA) assists students under the supervision and direction of a certified special education teacher or professional service provider in meeting the instructional, educational, behavioral, functional, and social emotional needs of students with disabilities in the classroom (in-person) and community. The role and assignments of a TA are not defined by a particular student, setting or program but rather by student's needs as determined by the Individual Education Plan (IEP). The incumbent will need to be familiar with IEP plans and be able to follow and adhere to them.

Essential Duties

• Attends classroom sessions and redirects students who are off-task and supports students who need remediation or intervention.
• Works with small groups or individual students in-person to practice skills, read, and ensure each student benefits from the assignment or task.
• Assists teachers with checking in on students that have not accessed classroom resources or completed assignments.
• Communicates proactively with teachers to inform them of student issues.
• Responds to emails and phone calls from school leaders and teachers in a timely manner.
• Assists during standardized testing to support state and local processes and policies.
• Assists with preparation of daily lesson plan materials and makes copies of materials for students (print or electronic).
• Assists with distribution of food, supplies, materials and equipment, including technology.
• Assists administrators and other staff members in the orderly, expedient and safe transition of students from one location to another.
• Engages in professional learning opportunities in-person.

Physical Abilities and Working Conditions

• Vision: Ability to read small print and view a computer screen for prolonged periods.
• Hearing: Ability to tolerate exposure to noisy conditions.
• Speech: Ability to be understood in face-to-face communications, to speak with a level of proficiency and volume to be understood over a telephone or computer.
• Upper Body Mobility: Ability to use hands to grasp, and manipulate small objects; manipulate fingers, twist and bend at wrist and elbow; extend arms to reach outward and upward; use hands and arms to lift objects; turn, raise, and lower head.
• Strength: Ability to lift, push, pull and/or carry objects which weigh as much as 5 or more pounds on a frequent basis.
• Environmental Requirements: Ability to encounter constant work interruptions; work cooperatively with others; work independently; work indoors.
• Mental Requirements: Ability to read, write, understand, interpret and apply information at a moderately complex level essential for successful job performance; math skills at a high school proficiency level; judgment and the ability to process information quickly; learn quickly and follow verbal procedures and standards; give verbal instruction; rank tasks in order of importance; copy, compare, compile and coordinate information and records. Understand how to manage stress.
• Additional Work Conditions & Physical Abilities: Ability to be flexible and adapt as needed between in-person and various classroom learning environments. Toileting, diapering, feeding (by mouth or feeding tube), administering medications and general hygiene may be required based on individual student needs.