TEACHER ASSISTANT – EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN

 This position will be through the remainder of the 24-25 school year.

 

Wilkes County Schools provides a robust variety of state and local benefit offerings that include but are not limited to health insurance, annual leave, sick leave, holiday pay, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, state pension plan, and other ancillary benefits. Benefit eligibility is determined by job status and percentage of employment. In addition, Wilkes County Schools offers a local salary supplement of 5%.

NATURE OF WORK

 

Under general supervision, performs a variety of technical and clerical tasks in assisting a teacher of students with disabilities.  Employee may perform a wide range of tasks in order 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 individual assistance with academics, functional skills and behavior, and may lead small group activities.  Employee assists teacher with general housekeeping and clerical duties.

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Assists teacher with executing instruction and evaluating its effectiveness.

 

Interact with students in an age-appropriate manner that demonstrates an appropriate understanding of each student’s individual needs, abilities, and disabilities.

 

Maintains confidentiality of all student information.

 

Constantly monitors the safety and well-being of students; monitors student attitudes and encourages self-esteem; assists students with becoming increasingly independent.

 

Monitors student behavior and helps maintain discipline in the classroom; assists with crisis prevention and de-escalation techniques with students as needed.

 

Assists students with learning; reinforces and clarifies instructions; conducts short sessions on improving specific skills; creates and modifies materials to match student abilities; modifies tests for students; provides individual assistance as needed.

 

Use various assistive technology equipment and augmentative communication devices to assist students with school related activities (as needed).

 

Carry out all physical care routines for students as indicated on their Individual Education Plan (IEPs) and/or Health Plans, including but not limited to, personal hygiene, feeding needs, and administration of medication, etc.

 

Assist students with daily living skills (i.e. toileting, feeding, diaper change, etc.).

 

Maintains standardized records and documentation concerning the progress of students.

 

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.

 

Participates in staff development as directed.

 

Teacher assistants with an effective date of hire 9/1/18 and beyond will be required to substitute bus drive as needed.

 

Performs other related work as required.

 

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Teacher Assistants must hold one of the qualifications below:

- A 2 year degree.

- A minimum of 48 semester hours of college coursework. 

- WorkKeys assessments in reading, writing and math with a bronze passing level score (level 3).

 

Teacher assistants with an effective date of hire 9/1/18 and beyond must hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with a Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsement or be willing and eligible to obtain a CDL driver’s license with P/S endorsements at the next training opportunity. If a candidate does not pursue a CDL drivers license with P/S endorsements at the next training opportunity or is ineligible to obtain a CDL drivers license with P/S endorsements for any reason, this could result in recommendation for dismissal.

 

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

 

Must be able to use a variety of equipment and classroom tools such as computers, copiers, equipment for children with special needs, etc.  Must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally; and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

 

General knowledge of activities performed by teacher.

 

General knowledge of daily routines of the classroom.

 

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

 

General knowledge of methods of adapting instruction, equipment and tools for children with special needs.

 

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 safety and discipline in a classroom.

 

Ability to operate common office machines.

 

Ability to maintain basic files and records.

 

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

REPORTS TO:     Teacher

FSLA STATUS:    Non-Exempt

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.