EC Teacher Assistant - EAMS

EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN - TEACHER ASSISTANT

East Alexander Middle School 

Full-time 10-month position with benefits

2026-2027 School Year

General Statement of Job

Under general supervision, performs a variety of technical and clerical tasks in assisting a teacher.  Employee may perform a wide range of tasks to support the efforts of the teacher, meet the needs of all students, and ensure the provision of quality instruction for all students.  Employee provides one-on-one assistance with academics and behavioral problems and may lead small group activities.  Employee assists lead teacher with general housekeeping and clerical duties.  Reports to a principal and/or teacher.

The Hearing Impaired Assistant supports students who are deaf or hard of hearing in accessing instruction, communication, and educational activities within the school environment. The assistant works under the supervision of licensed staff to promote student participation, independence, communication development, and academic success.

Required qualifications

• Associate Degree or 48 semester hours towards an associate degree, preferred.
• Prior experience working with special needs children is desirable.
• Applicant must hold a valid NC state driver’s license.
• Applicant must be eligible to obtain a CDL with Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements. If an employee is unable to obtain a CDL with P/S endorsements for any reason, this could result in recommendation for dismissal.

Essential duties and responsibilities (Exceptional Children Teacher Assistant)

• Assists teachers with executing instruction and evaluating its effectiveness.
• Constantly monitors the safety and well-being of students, particularly when a student is participating in an inclusive activity.
• Monitors student behavior and helps maintain discipline in the classroom; assists with crisis prevention; restrains students as needed.
• Assists students with learning; reinforces and clarifies instruction; provides one-on-one assistance as needed.
• Praises and reinforces achievement of students; promotes self-esteem.
• Assists students with becoming increasingly independent.
• Maintains and respects the confidentiality of student and school personnel information.
• Constructs, copies, and distributes educational materials as needed.
• Assists students with special needs in all aspects of classroom instruction to maximize inclusion, learning, achievement of IEP objectives, etc.
• Participates in the IEP process and serves as a resource for the student personnel evaluation team as needed.
• Assist physically and/or mentally disabled students with activities of daily living (feeding, personal hygiene, etc.) for the purpose of maximizing their ability to participate in school or learning activities.
• Follows all applicable safety rules, procedures, and regulations governing the proper manner of assistance for all students, including those with disabilities or other special needs.
• Supervises students in activities that take place out of the classroom, including activities involving school transportation.
• Performs general housekeeping duties in maintaining an orderly classroom.
• Assists students in non-instructional areas, such as supervising the student lunch programs, bus duty, playground duty, corridor, study hall, and other related non-instructional areas.
• Drives a daily bus route or substitute as a driver when requested by the principal or designee.

Essential duties and responsibilities (Hearing Impaired Teacher Assistant)

• Provide instructional and communication support to students who are deaf or hard of hearing in classroom and school settings.
• Assist students in understanding teacher directions, classroom discussions, and instructional materials.
• Support implementation of accommodations and modifications outlined in the student’s IEP, 504 Plan, or instructional plan.
• Reinforce instructional concepts and skills introduced by the teacher or related service providers.
• Assist with note-taking, organization, and classroom participation as needed.
• Facilitate communication between students, staff, and peers using appropriate communication methods, which may include:
          - Sign language
          - Cued speech
          - Oral communication
          - Visual supports
          - Assistive technology

• Assist with operation and monitoring of hearing assistive technology, including FM systems, hearing aids, cochlear implant equipment, and captioning tools, as directed.
• Maintain confidentiality of student information in accordance with FERPA and district policies.
• Support students during transitions, extracurricular activities, transportation, and community-based instruction as assigned.
• Collaborate with teachers, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, interpreters, and other school personnel.
• Collect observational data and maintain documentation as requested by supervisory staff.
• Promote positive student behavior and independence.
• Attend required trainings and staff meetings.

Additional duties

• Performs other related tasks as assigned by the principal and/or teacher. 

Essential knowledge and abilities

• Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with emergency situations.
• Employee must have the ability to interpret and establish appropriate rules, methods, and techniques in maintaining a disciplined academic environment.
• Applicant must have strong interpersonal skills and patience.
• Experience working with students and knowledge of conflict resolution techniques is strongly encouraged.
• Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions.
• Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including medical, legal, and counseling terminology.
• Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
• Must be able to use a variety of equipment and classroom tools such as computers, copiers, calculators, pencils, scissors, etc.
• Physical ability to lift students of various weights independently and with shared responsibilities.
• Must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally; and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

The knowledge and abilities described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.