What are the responsibilities and job description for the Teaching Assistant - Special Education - Claiborne High School position at CLAIBORNECOUNTYSCHOOLS?
A Special Education Teaching Assistant (often titled Educational Assistant or Instructional Assistant) for grades 9–12 in a Tennessee public school district provides instructional, behavioral, and personal support to high school students with special needs under the direct supervision of a licensed Special Education Teacher.
- Schedule: Full-time (typically 6.5 to 7 hours per day), following the school-year calendar (around 180–196 days)
- Primary Objective: Provide classroom, school-wide, and community-based support to maximize student inclusion, safety, academic success, and the achievement of Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals
Core Responsibilities
Academic & Instructional Support
- Individual and Small Group Tutoring: Reinforce learning concepts presented by the teacher to help students master high school curriculum standards.
- IEP Accommodation Implementation: Adapt or modify classroom work, materials, and testing environments according to students' specific IEP guidelines.
- Transition and Life-Skills Training: Assist 9th–12th grade students with post-secondary transition goals, which may include vocational training or independent living skills.
Behavioral & Social Management
- Behavior Intervention Monitoring: Implement and track progress on Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), utilizing positive reinforcement and behavioral modification techniques.
- Supervision: Monitor student behavior and safety across high school environments, including general education classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, and field trips.
- De-escalation: Respond appropriately to emotional or behavioral crises using district-approved safety techniques.
Personal Care & Medical Assistance (CDC/Severe Settings)
- Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Assist students in Comprehensive Development Classrooms (CDC) with personal needs such as toileting, diapering, handwashing, and feeding.
- Medical Support: Administer health care needs (e.g., tube feeding, medication supervision) under the guidance of school health personnel.
- Physical Mobility: Lift or transition students with physical disabilities safely into wheelchairs, standers, or adaptive devices.
Administrative & Collaborative Duties
- Data Collection: Observe and record precise daily data regarding student academic progress and behavior tracking.
- Material Preparation: Help design, organize, and copy instructional materials, displays, or assistive technology tools.
- Confidentiality: Maintain complete confidentiality regarding student records and personal information in compliance with FERPA guidelines.
Minimum Qualifications & Skills
Education Requirements
Per Tennessee state standards, applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
- High school diploma or GED PLUS a passing score on the ParaPro Assessment.
- At least 48 earned semester hours of college credit from an accredited institution.
- An Associate's degree or higher.
Knowledge & Abilities
- Strong basic mathematical skills
- Basic computer literacy and assistive technologies.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently (if placed in severe/CDC settings).
- Effective verbal and written communication skills for reporting.