Sam Houston Elementary School is seeking Special Education Teaching Assistants for part time positions (20-29 hours/week) for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. 

 

Purpose Statement

The position of Teacher Assistant (Special Education) was established for the purpose of providing support to the instructional program within assigned school with specific responsibility for assisting in the supervision and instruction of special needs students, severely special needs students; observing and documenting student progress; implementing plans for instruction; and assisting students by providing for special health care needs.

 

This position reports to the Principal.

 

 

Education, Certification and Related Work Experience: 

• High School Diploma (2 years college preferred) 
• Meets highly qualified requirements for classified staff 

 

Qualities of a Desired Candidate Include: 

• Ability to motivate students and a commitment to student achievement and growth 
• Be willing to complete in-service training on behavioral support techniques
• Work with one individual student to a small group of students to help them access the least restrictive environment for their educational needs
• Ability to positively interact with students
• Demonstrate flexibility, confidentiality, and professionalism 
• Provide behavioral and educational support for young children with special need 
• Organized, self-starter with the ability to work with other team members 
• Possess honesty, integrity, and professionalism 

Essential Functions

 

• Adapts classroom activities, assignments and/or materials under the direction of the supervising teacher for the purpose of supporting and reinforcing classroom objectives.
• Administers immediate first aid and medical assistance as instructed by a health care professional (e.g. diapering, tube feeding, colostomy bags, medication, etc.) for the purpose of meeting immediate health care needs and/or developing children's daily living activities and behavioral skills.
• Applies and removes physical therapy appliances as instructed (e.g. body braces, leg braces, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the student has the proper equipment according to the IEP plan.
• Assists students by enabling them to access their electronic communicators, switches, pointers, feeders, etc. for the purpose of ensuring equipment is hooked up properly and functioning properly.
• Assists students in and out of wheelchairs: loading and unloading on the bus; transporting students in their wheelchairs in and around school and on field trips for the purpose of ensuring the student gets to and from school and to the proper places safely
• Assists with pre-lunch and lunch activities (e.g. heat food, grind food, collect lunch money, feeding, etc.) for the purpose of helping the teacher and lunch personnel get the student fed
• Attends meetings and in-service presentations (e.g. first aid, CPR, emergency procedures, behavior management, CPI training, IEPs, etc.) for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to job functions.
• Communicates with supervising instructional staff and professional support personnel for the purpose of assisting in evaluating progress and/or implementing IEP objectives.
• Designs bulletin boards for the purpose of helping make the room and areas more attractive and for conveying information.
• Maintains instructional materials and/or manual and electronic files/records (e.g. lessons, attendance, pencils, paper, teaching supplies, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring availability of items, providing written reference, and/or meeting mandated requirements.
• Monitors students during assigned periods within a variety of school environments (e.g. lunch, bus stops, playground, classroom, restroom, field trips, public transportation, assemblies, kitchen, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining a safe and positive learning environment.
• Participates in the implementation of IEP goals for the purpose of meeting IEP goals and/or district benchmarks.
• Participates in the implementation of student behavior plans for the purpose of ensuring effective and safe student learning.
• Performs clerical tasks (e.g. making copies, filing, etc.) for the purpose of helping the teacher get instructional materials ready.
• Provides instruction, under the supervision of the teacher, to the students in a variety of individual and group activities (e.g. academic subjects, social skills, daily living skills, giving oral tests, etc.) for the purpose of reinforcing instructional objectives; implementing IEP plans, and ensuring students’ success in school.

Other Functions

• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

 

 

Working Environment

 

The usual and customary methods of performing the position functions require the following physical demands:  some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; and significant fine finger dexterity.  The position generally requires 40% sitting, 20% walking, and 40% standing.  This position is typically performed in a hazard free, clean, and healthy environment.

 

Ability to perform any physical duties associated with this position (e.g., lifting up to 50 pounds on a regular basis, sitting for long periods of time, walking, seeing, standing for extended periods of time, etc.).

 

All interested parties should email interest by June 3, 2026, to Julie Vananda, Assistant Principal (julie.vananda@maryville-schools).  In addition, all applicants should complete the online application with Maryville City Schools.  Selected candidates will be contacted to schedule a sit down interview.

 

FLSA: Non-Exempt