Teaching Assistant - Soldiers Memorial Middle School

About the Role

A Tennessee public school Teaching Assistant (grades 5-8) supports lead teachers by reinforcing lesson plans, monitoring student behavior, and managing classroom logistics.

Responsibilities

• Instructional Support: Work with individual students or small groups to reinforce lessons introduced by the teacher, and assist with remedial or enrichment work.
• Classroom Management: Help maintain a positive, safe, and orderly learning environment, enforce school policies, and supervise students during non-instructional times (lunch, recess, and bus loading).
• Administrative Duties: Grade papers, record test scores, maintain attendance, prepare instructional materials, and organize classroom displays.
• Special Education (SPED) Focus: If working with Special Education or CDC (Comprehensive Development Classroom) students, assistants help implement IEP goals, adapt assignments, and manage behavioral intervention plans.

Qualifications & Requirements

To comply with ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) standards in Tennessee, you must meet one of the following criteria:

• Hold an Associate's degree (or higher).
• Have completed at least 48 semester hours of college coursework.
• Pass a state-approved formal assessment, such as the ETS ParaPro Assessment.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Middle school assistants must possess the physical stamina to assist students and stand, walk, or bend for sustained periods.
• The position often involves lifting up to 60 lbs.
• SPED assistants may require de-escalation or restraint training.