Teaching Assistant

Teaching Assistant

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third-largest school district in the United States, serving over 340,000 students in 600+ schools and employing nearly 36,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

POSITION OVERVIEW The Joint Class Size Assessment Council (JCSAC) allocates Class-Size Teacher Assistant positions to address oversized classrooms in Priority Schools and other impacted schools. These positions are reviewed annually and concluded at the end of each school year. Under the general direction of the school principal and under the immediate supervision of a teacher holding a valid state certificate directly engaged in teaching subject matter or conducting activities, assists in the instruction of pupils and performs related duties as required. The Class Size Teacher Assistant will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Assists in the supervision of students during lunchroom and playground activities
• Provides security functions within the school, such as monitoring corridors and reviewing student identification card
• Assist students in understanding and completing classroom assignments
• Assist teachers in preparing bulletin boards and displaying students' work in classrooms
• Operates photocopying and duplicating machines to reproduce educational materials
• Assists in maintaining the orderly arrangement of classrooms
• Greet and direct visitors to appropriate areas of the school
• Consult with teachers regarding concerns of individual students
• Operate audiovisual equipment such as cassette recorders, movie projectors, film strip projectors, tape recorders, and photographs.
• Provides tutoring services to students under the supervision of the classroom teacher
• Assist in collecting and grading students' homework assignments and examination materials under the supervision of the classroom teacher.
• Assist in supervising the loading and unloading of students on school busses.
• Assist in the receipts processing and insurance of new books under the supervision of the classroom teacher.
• Collect daily classroom absentee reports and contact parents and guardians to verify the causes of student absence.
• May assist elementary school teacher with wraps and toilet as necessary
• May assist in the supervision of the school procedure to sell public transportation passes to students

To be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Class Size Teacher Assistant must possess the following qualifications:

Education Requirements : Graduation from high school (or G.E.D. equivalent) Certification Requirements : Must possess a valid TASN (NCLB) paraprofessional license from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), which may be applied for and obtained after the successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of college credit at a college or university accredited by the North Central Association or successful completion of a paraprofessional exam (Work Keys or Parapro). Also refer to: Illinois State Board of Education ISBN applied for link Work Keys ParaPro Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities : Good knowledge of proper English grammar and spelling, basic knowledge of mathematics, and knowledge of Chicago Public Schools rules and regulations. Ability to work with and for school-aged children, ability to follow written and oral instructions, ability to operate basic office equipment, ability to communicate effectively with the public. Good oral and written communication skills, good reading skills, skills in operating audio-visual equipment and personal computers is highly desirable Physical Requirements: Light work: Exerting up to twenty (20) pounds of force occasionally, up to ten (10) pounds of force frequently, or a negligible amount of force often to move objects. Even though the weight of force moved may be only a negligible amount, a position should be rated as Light Work (1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing or pulling of arm control. Conditions of Employment : As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to: Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. Completion of the Class Size Teacher Assistant - Interim Assignment Acceptance Form is required for this position Be Fully Vaccinated or Submit to Weekly COVID-19 Testing - Employees are required to be fully vaccinated within 30 days of their hire date. Full vaccination is defined as at least two weeks after your second shot of a two-shot vaccination course, or at least two weeks after a one-shot vaccination course. Unvaccinated staff must submit to weekly testing.

Benefits : Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice CPS is committed to providing comprehensive health coverage to our employees and their eligible dependents. You'll have access to a variety of choices to best fit your needs: Medical Plan Options Pharmacy Dental Vision Behavioral Health & EAP Employee Wellness Program Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow We understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong retirement and savings options: Basic Life Insurance Life and Disability Insurance Pension Plans Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b)) Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) Spot Pet Insurance Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life CPS values the well-being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies: Paid Leave Sick Leave Vacation Days Parental Leaves Short-Term Disability Religious Holidays Leaves Reference the Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview or the benefits handbook for comprehensive details.