Teaching Assistant (Lower School)

Job Description

Job Description

Morris Jeff Community School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) school that offers an education that is a source of freedom and possibility for all students, permitting them to develop their talents fully, become contributing global citizens, and attain the foundation needed to excel at college, career, and beyond. We believe in diversity, inclusion and open-access. We include all students in the age/grade appropriate classrooms.

Morris Jeff recognizes the critical role teacher assistants play in students' academic achievement. Teacher Assistants are respected and supported as integral team members responsible for assisting in the delivery of instruction and other student related activities. The entire instructional team participates within clearly defined roles in a dynamic changing environment to provide an appropriate educational program for students.

Position Summary
The Teaching Assistant (TA) assists students under the supervision and direction of a certified special education teacher or professional service provider in meeting the instructional, educational, behavioral, functional, and social emotional needs of students with disabilities in the classroom (in-person) and community. The role and assignments of a TA are not defined by a particular student, setting or program but rather by student's needs as determined by the Individual Education Plan (IEP). The incumbent will need to be familiar with IEP plans and be able to follow and adhere to them.

The essential duties of a Teacher Assistant include:

• Attends classroom sessions and redirects students who are off-task and supports students who need remediation or intervention.
• Works with small groups or individual students in-person to practice skills, read, and ensure each student benefits from the assignment or task.
• Assists teachers with checking in on students that have not accessed classroom resources or completed assignments.
• Communicates proactively with teachers to inform them of student issues.
• Responds to emails and phone calls from school leaders and teachers in a timely manner.
• Assists during standardized testing to support state and local processes and policies.
• Assists with preparation of daily lesson plan materials and makes copies of materials for students (print or electronic).
• Assists with distribution of food, supplies, materials and equipment, including technology.
• Assists administrators and other staff members in the orderly, expedient and safe transition of students from one location to another.
• Engages in professional learning opportunities in-person.
• Required to have prompt, regular attendance in-person and be available to work on-site, in-person during regular business hours.
• Performs other duties as assigned by an appropriate administrator, special education teacher or their representative.

Physical Abilities and Working Conditions
The physical abilities, working conditions and other conditions of employment listed in this document are representative of, but are not intended to provide an exhaustive list of the requirements for positions in this classification. In the event of an
emergency or situation requiring guidance from Federal, State, or local or school district authorities, the requirements of this position may change temporarily or for the school year to best serve the needs of our students.

• Vision: Ability to read small print and view a computer screen for prolonged periods.
• Hearing: Ability to tolerate exposure to noisy conditions.
• Speech: Ability to be understood in face-to-face communications, to speak with a level of proficiency and
  volume to be understood over a telephone or computer.
• Upper Body Mobility: Ability to use hands to grasp, and manipulate small objects; manipulate fingers, twist and
  bend at wrist and elbow; extend arms to reach outward and upward; use hands and arms to lift objects; turn,
  raise, and lower head.
• Strength: Ability to lift, push, pull and/or carry objects which weigh as much as 5 or more pounds on a frequent
  basis.
• Environmental Requirements: Ability to encounter constant work interruptions; work cooperatively with others;
  work independently; work indoors.
• Mental Requirements: Ability to read, write, understand, interpret and apply information at a moderately
  complex level essential for successful job performance; math skills at a high school proficiency level; judgment
  and the ability to process information quickly; learn quickly and follow verbal procedures and standards; give
  verbal instruction; rank tasks in order of importance; copy, compare, compile and coordinate information and
  records. Understand how to manage stress.
• Additional Work Conditions & Physical Abilities: Ability to be flexible and adapt as needed between in-person
  and various classroom learning environments. Toileting, diapering, feeding (by mouth or feeding tube),
  administering medications and general hygiene may be required based on individual student needs.

**Communication with family and parents is to ONLY be from the Case Manager and/or Administration

**Teacher Assistant breaks will be between 11 am - 1pm. The break time is 30 mins long. During a 30 min break, take a break in a designated area/break room.

**Teacher Assistants are not required to be in parent meetings or IEP meetings, but may attend on a case-by-case basis as determined by the case manager and coordinator