Special Education Teacher Assistant

Special Education Teacher Assistant

The Special Education Teacher Assistant position supports student learning by providing support to the student(s) and teacher in the classroom with the specific responsibility of assisting with the supervision of students, the implementation of prescribed programs, the maintenance of records, and the use of various instructional tools in support of the educational program/the teacher's identified lesson. As a key member of the district's teacher assistant position will interact with and respond to students, staff, parents/guardians, and community members in ways that demonstrates their alignment and agreement with the district's equity commitments. The Special Education teacher assistant position will ensure that equity is at the center of the district's teacher assistant services to positively impact student learning and employee practices as expressed in Board Policy 7:12: Ensuring Racial and Educational Equity.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist with providing a variety of activities for a balanced program of instruction, giving student opportunity to observe, question and investigate.
• Reinforce information and instructions following a lesson.
• Work with student individually or in small groups in academic studies, basic life skills and other assigned instruction.
• Implement behavior modification plans and procedures designed for individual students when necessary.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding students.
• Maintain positive relationships with all students, school staff and parents.
• Observe and record student's progress.
• Assist the individual student during activities including recess, lunch and getting student safely on and off the bus.
• Assist the classroom teacher and student in daily activities.
• Assist student with academic needs.
• Under the direction of the teacher, maintain student behavior by utilizing behavior management strategies

Content Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to lift students is required
• Ability to work and communicate with students in an appropriate professional manner required
• Ability to work collaboratively with others
• Demonstrate knowledge of students' needs, including but not limited to: educational, medical, physical, sensory, speech/language, social/emotional, recreational, vocational, etc., as established by the teacher.
• Operate all equipment related to support of teacher and/or student needs: copy machine, computers, assistive technology, related OT and PT devices, other items as required

Candidate Qualifications:

• High School Diploma, minimum Associate's Degree, preferred
• Illinois Professional Educator License or Illinois Substitute Teacher License or Illinois Paraprofessional License

Physical Requirements:

• This position requires the performance of light work which requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently to move objects.
• The position includes close visual acuity, frequent talking, hearing, walking, climbing stairs and standing, occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling, and significant fine finger dexterity.
• The job is performed in non-hazardous environments and a clean atmosphere.
• The position requires indoor and outdoor supervision during varying temperatures and climatic conditions.