Middle School Special Education Teacher Assistant

Middle School Special Education Teacher Assistant

Acosta Middle School - Milwaukee, WI 53204

Overview

Position Type: Full Time Job Shift: Day Education Level: 2 Year Degree Category: Education

Description

The Special Education Teacher Assistant supports students with disabilities by assisting the special education teacher in implementing individualized education plans (IEPs) and providing academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support. This role ensures students can access and participate meaningfully in the school environment. The assistant works closely with teachers, service providers, and families to promote student independence, safety, and learning. This role works under the direction of the School Principal, Director of Special Education, and assigned Special Education Teacher, and requires collaboration with the Special Education Teacher and classroom teachers. UCC School staff are dedicated, compassionate, highly effective, reflective, collaborative, culturally responsive, and committed to the academic and social-emotional development of all students.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Special Education Teacher Assistant's role encompasses effective practices in the following:

• Works collaboratively with Special Education Teacher assist students towards goals in IEP
• Teach students to think through problems in Mathematics, Reading and other areas identified in IEP
• Administers test, and records results while collaborating with Special Education and classroom teachers
• Assigns lessons corrects paper, and hears oral presentations
• Teaches rules of conduct
• Maintains order in classroom
• Counsels pupils when adjustment and academic problems arise
• Discusses pupil's academic and behavioral attitudes and achievements with parents
• Keeps attendance and records as required by school and IEPs
• Participates in class field trips with identified students as needed
• Attends meetings, conferences, and in-service, and participates in special events of the school and the agency

Qualifications

• The Special Education Teacher Assistant position requires the ability to obtain a Special Education aide license from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Proof of license or application submission is required before the start of employment.
• Candidates are encouraged to have at least one year of working with individuals with disabilities in an educational setting. Must be creative, flexible, tech-savvy, and ready to be part of a team. Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.
• Must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• The candidate should be able to work independently with little direct supervision, work as part of a team, accept responsibilities, and be self-motivated. Must display effective multi-tasking and time management skills.
• For staff working with K4 or K5 students: At a minimum, a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or a state-awarded certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements for a CDA credential, or are enrolled in a program that will lead to an associate or baccalaureate degree, or are enrolled in a CDA credential program to be completed within two years of the time of hire.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to move around the classroom and school environment, including bending, kneeling, standing, walking, going up and down stairs, and sitting for extended periods of time.
• Visual and auditory acuity to supervise students and respond to classroom needs.
• Ability to exert up to 25 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects such as educational materials or classroom supplies.
• Must be able to monitor student safety and physically assist students when necessary (e.g., guiding younger students, supporting classroom transitions).
• Manual dexterity to operate computers, classroom technology, and teaching tools and to engage in repetitive movement of wrists, hands, and fingers (typing and/or writing).
• May require extended screen time for lesson planning, grading, or communication, and to work frequently at close visual range
• Ability to receive and respond to oral communication.

Working Conditions:

• Work is generally performed in a classroom/school/office environment with regular interaction with students, staff, and families, both inside the school campus environment, as well as occasionally outdoors (recess, field trips, dismissal, etc.)
• May require supervision of students in varied settings (classroom, hallway, cafeteria, playground, outdoors, etc.)
• Frequent contact with students, parents/guardians, support staff, and school administration.
• May involve occasional exposure to childhood illnesses, noise, and frequent interruptions.
• Must be able to manage multiple tasks in a dynamic, fast-paced educational setting.
• Work schedule generally follows the school calendar and may include morning arrival and/or after-school responsibilities (e.g., meetings, family nights, or other school events).
• Noise level in the work environment is moderate to occasionally loud (examples: classroom with children, lunchroom with several classes, recess at playground with several classes of students playing, loud voices during classroom play or during recess, working with computers and printers, light to moderate traffic, and human voices)
• May be required to operate a motor vehicle during the course of duties.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to help perform essential functions.
• UCC provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.