Teaching Assistant

Teaching Assistant

Location: Atkinson Elementary (Grades 3-5)

Supervisor(s): Under the immediate direction of the Special Education Teacher/Liaison and/or Classroom Teacher. Under the general direction of the Building Principal/Special Education Administrator

Evaluator(s): Principal/Designee and/or Special Education Administrator or Designee with input from Special Education Teacher/Liaison and/or Classroom Teacher

General Description: The Teaching Assistant will assist in all aspects of assigned student(s) in the integrated education and/or sub-separate program as coordinated by Special Education in accordance with the Individual Education Program (IEP).

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required
• Associate's degree or higher in related field and previous experience/training (e.g., education, child development, psychology, etc) preferred
• Degree or certification related to behavior management with a minimum of six (6) months of experience working with children with developmental delays preferred
• Background in working with children with disabilities preferred
• Familiarity in reading and understanding IEPs preferred
• Demonstrates ability to manage complex/ varied tasks simultaneously
• Excellent personal and communication skills in working with school personnel and community members and with a high level of confidentiality
• Some special education teaching assistants may be assigned to work with an individual student and will need to meet specific qualifications

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Works with assigned student(s) throughout the total school environment to implement goals and objectives of the Individual Education Programs under the direction of the special education teacher and/or classroom teacher.
• Under the direction of the special education teacher and specialists, use developmentally and age-appropriate strategies, language, equipment, materials, and technologies in a manner that facilitates student learning.
• May provide one-to-one and/or small group instruction and assistance in accordance with the student's IEP and under the direction of the special education teacher, related service provider and/or classroom teacher.
• Collect student data for reporting purposes as determined by the special education teacher, related service provider, BCBA, and/or classroom teacher.
• May assist special education teachers in collecting student work, supervising tests and make-up work as determined by the special education teacher and specialist.
• Maintains confidentiality of individual students and their families.
• May assist students with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) as determined by their IEP and/or specific disability when such assistance is required on a regular basis. ADL's include but are not limited to hygiene, feeding, mobility, wheelchairs, etc. This will be determined on an individual basis at the time of hire.
• If the assignment requires toileting duties, the teaching assistant will be informed in writing at the time of hire or if the program needs change.
• Attend in-service professional development activities appropriate to their position.
• Other duties as assigned by the Building Principal, Special Education Administrator and/or district BCBA.

Working Conditions: Working in a school setting. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy indoor environment with work inside about 85% of the time and work outside about 15% of the work schedule. The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 20% sitting, 40% walking, and 40% standing. In special circumstances, the employee may be required to move up to thirty-five (35) pounds such as adaptive equipment and supplies and also work with members of the team to address student's physical needs (e.g. positioning students under the direction of the physical therapist, bathrooms needs, etc.) and up to fifty (50) pounds if the Teaching Assistant has had Safety Care Training or is assigned to a multiple supports classroom.

Terms of Employment/Salary: As negotiated by the North Andover School Committee and the North Andover TA Association. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties may be assigned as required.