Teaching Assistant - Special Education - Claiborne High School

Job Description

Job Description

A Special Education Teaching Assistant (often titled Educational Assistant or Instructional Assistant) for grades 9–12 in a Tennessee public school district provides instructional, behavioral, and personal support to high school students with special needs under the direct supervision of a licensed Special Education Teacher.  

• Schedule: Full-time (typically 6.5 to 7 hours per day), following the school-year calendar (around 180–196 days)
• Primary Objective: Provide classroom, school-wide, and community-based support to maximize student inclusion, safety, academic success, and the achievement of Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals

Core Responsibilities

Academic & Instructional Support

• Individual and Small Group Tutoring: Reinforce learning concepts presented by the teacher to help students master high school curriculum standards.
• IEP Accommodation Implementation: Adapt or modify classroom work, materials, and testing environments according to students' specific IEP guidelines.
• Transition and Life-Skills Training: Assist 9th–12th grade students with post-secondary transition goals, which may include vocational training or independent living skills.

Behavioral & Social Management

• Behavior Intervention Monitoring: Implement and track progress on Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), utilizing positive reinforcement and behavioral modification techniques.
• Supervision: Monitor student behavior and safety across high school environments, including general education classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, and field trips. 
• De-escalation: Respond appropriately to emotional or behavioral crises using district-approved safety techniques. 

Personal Care & Medical Assistance (CDC/Severe Settings)

• Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Assist students in Comprehensive Development Classrooms (CDC) with personal needs such as toileting, diapering, handwashing, and feeding.
• Medical Support: Administer health care needs (e.g., tube feeding, medication supervision) under the guidance of school health personnel.
• Physical Mobility: Lift or transition students with physical disabilities safely into wheelchairs, standers, or adaptive devices.

Administrative & Collaborative Duties

• Data Collection: Observe and record precise daily data regarding student academic progress and behavior tracking.
• Material Preparation: Help design, organize, and copy instructional materials, displays, or assistive technology tools.
• Confidentiality: Maintain complete confidentiality regarding student records and personal information in compliance with FERPA guidelines. 

Minimum Qualifications & Skills

Education Requirements

Per Tennessee state standards, applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

1. High school diploma or GED PLUS a passing score on the ParaPro Assessment .
2. At least 48 earned semester hours of college credit from an accredited institution.
3. An Associate's degree or higher. 

Knowledge & Abilities

• Strong basic mathematical skills 
• Basic computer literacy and assistive technologies.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently (if placed in severe/CDC settings).