Chase’s Place School

Job Description

Job Title: Teacher AssistantWage/Hour Status: Nonexempt

Reports to: Executive Director/TeacherTerms of Employment: School Calendar Year

revised 8/1/2023

Primary Purpose: Help meet and/or assist teachers to meet the physical and instructional needs of individual students with disabilities inside and outside the room. Assist with room instruction while implementing Individualized Education Programs (IEP), including self-help, behavior management, and instruction programs. Work under the general supervision of the Executive Director and immediate direction of the room teacher. May provide instruction to students in small group settings. 

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED.

• Experience related to working with students and parents. Experience may include work in public or private schools, day camps, youth groups, licensed daycare centers, or other similar experiences.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to quickly read materials, learn from demonstrations, and provide instructional support.

• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.

• Ability to communicate effectively.

• Ability to work with students with disabilities.

• Proficient in technology and adaptive technology preferred.

Major Responsibilities

Student Management:

• Help meet the individual needs of students, including transferring them to and from wheelchairs, lifting and positioning them.

• Assist students with physical needs and personal care, including feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene. 

• Help manage and document students' behavior in a calm, consistent manner. This includes intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive students as trained to maintain a safe learning environment. 

• Assume responsibility for learning and adapting to each student's special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs. 

• Work with individual students or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by the teacher.

• Help supervise students throughout the school day, inside and outside the room.

• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.

• Keep teachers informed of special needs or challenges of assigned students. 

Instructional Support:

• Prepare student work, workstations, instructional materials, and room displays as directed by the teacher.

• Assist with the presentation ofoom lessons and activities.

• Assist with inventory, care, and maintenance of equipment. 

• Assist in maintaining a neat and orderly room. 

• Help teachers keep administrative records and prepare required reports.

• Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers.

• Reinforce academic or developmental skills requiring extensive repetition or drill, and practice on skills that the supervising teacher has previously taught. 

• Work with individual students or small groups to conduct instructional exercises assigned by the teacher. Some hand-over-hand instruction may be required.

• Assist with implementing the motor plan (OT/PT), speech plan, and picture schedule.

Other:

• Maintain confidentiality in the conduct of school business. Refer any questions regarding a student to the teacher responsible for that student.

• Uphold and enforce campus policies and procedures.

• Work cooperatively with all campus staff and therapists

• Maintain a positive and cooperative working relationship with colleagues and others in the conduct of school business and demonstrate teamwork in daily activities. 

• Maintain regular attendance and comply with notification and approval procedure for absences.

• Attend and participate in staff meetings, planning meetings, and special events as assigned.

• Comply with directions and instructions from teachers and staff and perform tasks and responsibilities as assigned promptly and efficiently.

• Perform other functions the Executive Director may assign.

• Always exhibit professional judgment and responsibility. 

• Follow all school policies, procedures, and Minimum Standards.

Working Conditions

Mental Demands:

Ability to communicate effectively (verbally and in writing); ability to instruct, interpret policy and maintain emotional control under stress.

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Occasional prolonged and irregular hours; frequent standing; stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing, pulling, and crawling; occasional lifting up to 50 pounds; prolonged computer use and repetitive hand motions. May be required to lift and position students with physical disabilities and assist non-ambulatory students. 

Biological exposure to bacteria and communicable diseases. 

Some students will exhibit aggressive behaviors. De-escalation and physical restraint may be used to maintain the safety of staff members and students. Training in these areas is provided. Staff members must be able to maintain emotional control under stress.