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.
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.
Minimum Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Position Qualification
KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; read a variety of manuals, write documents following prescribed formats, and/or present information to others; and solve practical problems. Specific knowledge-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the position include: non-violent crisis intervention restraints, instructional procedures, and practices; age appropriate student activities; safety practices and procedures; conflict resolution; and stages of child development/ behavior.
SKILLS are required to perform multiple tasks with a need to occasionally upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the position include: adhering to safety practices; operating standard office equipment and pertinent software applications; and preparing/maintaining accurate records.
ABILITY is required to schedule activities and/or meetings; gather and/or collate data; and use job-related equipment. Ability is required to work with others in a variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined and similar processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with similar types of data; and utilize a variety of types of job-related equipment. Problem solving ability is required to identify issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is limited to moderate. Specific ability-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the position include: adapting to changing work priorities: communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; working as part of a team; and working with constant interruptions.
Responsibility
Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision following standardized practices and/or methods; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; and operating within a defined budget. Utilization of some resources from other work units may be required to perform the position functions. There is a continual opportunity to significantly impact the organization’s services.
Working Environment
The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling: some climbing and balancing; significant stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 20% sitting, 40% walking, and 40% standing. The job is performed under minimal temperature variations and under conditions with exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.
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.).
Experience
No position related experience is required.
Education
Two years of college or Praxis Exam completed.
Required Testing
None Specified
Certificates & Licenses
CPI Certificate
Continuing Education / Training
As determined by MCS
Clearances
Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance
FLSA Status
Non Exempt