A Teacher Assistant assists classroom teachers by providing extra individual attention and instruction to students. Helps teachers with recordkeeping, preparation for lessons and activities and supervising students. May work with special education students, or work in a school library or computer lab; may be called teacher aide or paraprofessional.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
SPECIFIC JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AND FUNCTIONS
Provide individualized and group instruction based on student IEP goals/objectives under the supervision of the teacher Implement research-based reading, math, and social skill programs Record progress and/or collect data for behavioral, social skills, communication and/or academic skills as needed. Present subject matter to students, utilizing a variety of methods and techniques as directed by the teacher. Prepare, administer, and grade student assignments. Provide supervision during off-campus activities (e.g. community-based training, field trips, inclusion activities, job training, etc) Assist students in using learning aids, communication devices, assistive technology, and other technological equipment.
Clerical/Technical Assistance:
Perform all routine clerical tasks including attendance, lunch reports, collection of monies, and in-house reports as needed Assist teachers in preparing home-school communication Make teacher-made materials as directed Develop age appropriate and culturally diverse bulletin boards Assist in maintaining an up-to-date inventory of all classroom materials and equipment Demonstrate a basic level of computer proficiency needed to perform routine clerical duties
General Classroom Assistance:
Perform classroom housekeeping chores (e.g. cleaning positioning equipment, laundry, etc.) Maintain the ability to abide by all guidelines in the school crisis plan and assist students to correctly follow crisis plan procedures Implement individualized behavior intervention programs and collect data on these programs as instructed Supervise groups of children inside and outside of the classroom Specialized Care and Programs (as needed): Carry out all physical care routines for students Implement toilet training and/or toilet care programs as needed Administer medications according to school policies and procedures Maintain knowledge of medications for assigned students Conduct specialized oral-motor feeding programs and/or assisted feeding programs under the direction of the therapy staff and correctly use all specialized feeding equipment as needed Supervise special diets Apply rhotic devices (e.g. splints, AFOs, scoliosis jackets, leg braces) as prescribed by the physical therapy staff Provide assigned specialized healthcare procedures (e.g. suctioning, percussion, administration of oxygen, etc.) Use assistive technology and adapted environmental devices to assist students during instructional lesson and/or activities of daily living
Clerical/Technical Assistance:
Maintain the confidentiality of all student information Serve as a role model for students in actions and words Advocate for student needs in an assertive and professional manner to school administration, adult service providers and the community
Professionalism:
Treat students with dignity and respect at all times Maintain a good attendance record and demonstrate the ability to be punctual Communicate all concerns and problems to the teacher and/or principal in a timely manner Demonstrate best practices in the delivery of services (e.g. age appropriateness, normalization, self-determination, etc.) Attend all scheduled staff development and training sessions Cover classes when teachers need to attend student IEP meetings and parent conferences Serve on school level and system level committees as needed Participate in school-wide events as requested
DISCLAIMER
The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to this job.
