Special Education Teacher Assistant

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Assists students with academic exercises and class activities; concentrates efforts with small groups of students and individuals as necessary.
 
May assist with basic computer instruction.
 
Compiles, prepares and organizes materials and classroom for instruction and classroom activities.
 
May serve as testing proctor for assigned class.
 
Assists in cleaning and storing of materials after completion of activities.
 
Reinforces all knowledge and skills taught by the classroom teacher, speech therapists and physical therapists; assists teacher with academic instruction and the instruction of daily living routines, skills and concepts.
 
May assist with physical health programs, including exercising, stretching and walking for physical therapy; adjusts special equipment/adaptive equipment for student use as needed; monitors and inspects students' prostheses, casts, braces, etc., for proper functioning.
 
Performs tasks and errands for students as necessary; provides basic locomotion, first aid, feeding, hygiene, toileting, removing/putting on outerwear, etc.
 
Assists with behavior and discipline concerns as outlined in each student's IEP or behavior plan; observes students' behavior and notifies teacher and/or school nurse of behavioral changes as appropriate; redirects behavior if possible.
 
Works with individual students to help them adjust behaviorally and academically into partial or fully mainstream classroom and social situations.
 
Assists teacher by performing such duties as recording daily attendance, grading assignments, recording daily assignments for students, recording and/or analyzing test scores/grades, substituting as needed, setting up special projects, escorting students to other areas of the school, packing / unpacking student communication folders, running errands, ordering supplies, etc.
 
Collects and receipts monies for monthly activity fees, school fees, school pictures, field trips, meal fees, etc.
 
Supervises and assists students when unloading and loading buses, in the halls, on field trips, during testing, during lunch and on school grounds.
 
May prepare daily snacks for and/or serve meals to students.
 
Coordinates and/or participates in special programs or projects as assigned.
 
Attends staff meetings as required; participates in in-service training programs.
 
Receives and responds to inquiries and requests for assistance in areas of responsibility.
 
Keeps abreast of developments in special education and grade-appropriate curriculum and instruction.
 
Operates wheelchairs and a variety of office and specialized equipment, which may include a computer, printer, copier, calculator, telephone, audio-visual equipment, laminating machine, binding machine, waxing machine, die cutter, etc.; uses clerical, copier, computer supplies, arts and crafts supplies, instructional supplies and materials.
 
Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals such as the classroom teacher, other teachers, principals, physical / occupational / speech therapists, counselors, other school staff, District staff, students, parents, volunteers and the general public.
 
Attends training, conferences, workshops, etc., as appropriate to enhance job knowledge and skills.
 
Maintains a clean and orderly classroom.
 
Performs routine clerical tasks as required, including but not limited to preparing reports and records, copying and filing documents, entering and retrieving computer data, preparing notices and mail, etc.
 
Performs related duties as required.
 
QUALIFICATIONS
Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent?
Do you meet at least ONE of the following?
• Completed 60 college credit hours
• Earned an associate's degree or higher
• Passed a state-approved assessment:
       - ParaPathways 
If you answered YES, you are qualified to fill this position. 

If you do not have a degree or have not completed 60 college credit hours, you may need to take the ParaPathways assessment before being considered for hire.

Requires Associate's degree or an equivalent to the satisfactory completion of two years of college education, supplemented by some experience working with special needs students in an educational setting, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Must possess a valid state driver's license.