Exceptional Children (EC) Teacher Assistant

10 Month Non-Exempt Position

General Statement of Duties and Responsiblities 

Under general supervision, performs a variety of technical and clerical tasks in assisting a teacher. Employee may perform a wide range of tasks in order to support the efforts of the lead 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 lead teacher.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions 

Academic Assistance

• Gives group instruction as prescribed by teacher; provides individualized instruction.
• Demonstrates various instructional activities.
• Checks and corrects students’ work while in progress; keeps students on task.
• Praises and reinforces achievement of students.
• Reports student progress to teacher.
• Assists students with becoming increasingly independent.
• Maintains standardized records and documentation concerning the progress of students.

Monitoring Student Behavior

• Supervises students in the classroom and in other locations (hallway, playground, etc.).
• Creates and distributes awards for positive behavior.
• Promotes student self-esteem; teaches citizenship, social skills, and respect for others.
• Reconciles minor student conflicts.
• Participates in development of discipline and policy.
• Disciplines misbehavior through approved methods.
• Reports discipline problems to teacher or principal.
• Reports significant change or lack of change in student behavior.
• Serves as team player and role model for other employees in the organization; demonstrates a commitment to continuous quality improvement; supports and exhibits organization core values of caring, respect, integrity, responsibility, high expectations, being customer driven, and valuing diversity.

Instructional Preparation/Support

• Arranges classroom furnishings and equipment, prepares visual aids and duplicates materials.
• Reorganizes materials at the end of day.
• Serves as proctor during testing; scores students’ papers as instructed by teacher; distributes and collects instructional materials.
• Performs general housekeeping duties in maintaining an orderly classroom; performs repair and maintenance tasks related to school equipment.
• Performs various clerical duties as needed, maintains records of student progress; develops and files incident reports; grades student papers and scores tests; checks daily attendance; makes copies; develops classroom display and instructional materials; maintains and operates audiovisual equipment; orders supplies; maintains class files, etc.
• Feeds students, when necessary; toilets students, if needed; and assists with any other tasks students are not able to perform for themselves.
• Participates in staff development workshops. Performs other related work as required.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

High school graduate or equivalent. Must meet the requirements for Highly Qualified Status by having one of the following qualifications: (1) Hold a 2 or 4 year degree, (2) Have completed 48 Semester Hours, or (3) Have completed the Pathways to TA Class and completed the accompanying WorkKeys Test. Working knowledge of effective methods of dealing with children. Ability to solve minor problems and follow detailed written and oral instructions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
 

Physical Requirements: Must be able to use a variety of equipment and classroom tools such as computers, copiers, typewriters, calculators, pencils, scissors, equipment for children with special needs, etc. Must be able to exert a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Due to amount of time spent standing and/or walking, physical requirements are consistent with those for Light Work.

Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or composite characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments and/or directions from superiors.

Language Ability: Requires the ability to read a variety of correspondence, reports, handbooks, forms, lists, etc. Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, simple reports, forms, instructional materials, etc., using prescribed format.

Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply rational systems to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.

Verbal Aptitude: 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 standard English.

Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; and to utilize decimals and percentages.

Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.

Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using office equipment.

Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of office machines, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination: Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress.

Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and hear: (Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words. Hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via telephone.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
 

General knowledge of activities performed by lead teacher. General knowledge of daily routines of the classroom.

General knowledge of student handbook rules.

General knowledge of procedures to follow in the event of an emergency.

General knowledge of the principles of organization and administration.

Some knowledge of the curriculum for the grade.

Ability to constantly monitor the safety and well-being of students, particularly when student is participating in an inclusive activity.

Ability to motivate students.

Ability to maintain a clean and orderly environment. Ability to perform general clerical duties.

Ability to maintain order and discipline in a classroom. Ability to operate common office machines.

Ability to maintain basic files and records.

Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

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.