1:1 Teacher Assistant

South Kingstown Public Schools • Wakefield, RI

1d • Onsite

About The Position

South Kingstown Schools is seeking a highly qualified and knowledgeable 1:1 Teaching Assistant to join their community. This role provides instructional, physical, social-emotional, and behavioral support to a student with disabilities under the supervision of certified staff. The assistant will help implement plans and programs, perform non-instructional tasks, and supervise students. The work involves direct support to one student individually or in small groups, reinforcing teacher-introduced subjects, and collaborating with staff to create an optimal educational environment. The 1:1 Teaching Assistant's work is planned and implemented under the direction of the classroom Program Teacher or service provider.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or general equivalency, or Associate’s Degree or higher
• Successfully pass the ParaPro Assessment OR Complete at least two years of study at an institution of higher education OR Completion of a Teacher Assistant Pre-Employment Training Program approved by the RI Department of Education (RIDE) or obtain an Associate’s Degree or higher
• Maintain confidentiality
• Work with children in a sensitive and effective manner
• Analyze, communicate, and use interpersonal skills.
• Readily learn assigned duties and adhere to classroom/student procedures
• Maintain accurate and complete records and files required by law, district policy, and procedures.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Assure the health and safety of students by following health and safety practices and procedures.
• Operate office/school equipment.
• Work as a collegial partner with other professionals
• Consistently follow established procedures and protocols
• Implement SafetyCares techniques after appropriate training when required
• Implement behavior management techniques after appropriate training (when required)
• Implement Job Coaching after appropriate training (when required)
• Take initiative and be proactive
• Understand specific disabilities of the students with whom the employee will be working
• Exhibits interpersonal skills with students and adults to help create and maintain a positive learning environment.

Nice To Haves

• Willingness to learn and implement instructional methods, strategies, and techniques to assist teachers in the education of students
• Ability to exercise considerable patience, courtesy, tact, and good judgment in working with students, teachers, administrators, fellow employees, and parents
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse populations
• Ability to employ a variety of teaching styles to respond to the needs of diverse learners
• Ability to employ technology tools (e.g., email, educational apps)
• Establishes a supportive relationship with students with disabilities or without while fostering student independence
• Uses effective communication skills with families, students, and colleagues (spoken, written, and non-verbal)
• Exhibits attributes of reliable attendance, promptness, dependability, and professional ethics

Responsibilities

• Support and supervise the arrival, dismissal, lunch, and recess of the preferred student(s) as assigned by the building principal.
• Organizes materials for each group/student; sets up learning stations and activity centers. Supervises student(s) while working; assists student(s) having difficulty.
• Support the preferred student(s) in gaining academic and functional skills under the supervision of the classroom/program teacher(s).
• Works directly with the preferred student individually or in small groups to reinforce subjects initially introduced by the teacher.
• Support in collecting data to monitor student growth and skill development.
• Support in de-escalation of student(s) during a crisis situation.
• Assists student(s) with physical tasks and daily living skills such as eating and drinking, putting on and taking off outerwear, moving from room to room, using the bathroom, washing hands, and changing diapers; supports student(s) with personal care needs.
• Provide job coaching for student(s) age 14+ who participate in community-based placements.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the building administrator (as needed).
• Participate in district-offered professional development opportunities.
• Follow and implement Behavior Intervention Plans and Health Care Plans when applicable.
• Reinforces rules of the school and learning environment; acknowledges and encourages appropriate behavior and distinguishes inappropriate behavior for the student's understanding.
• Assists teachers in supervising learning activities, circulating within the classroom, and providing student assistance and learning support (as needed).
• Maintains Safety Cares certification.
• Completes Medicaid logs as directed for individual student.
• Perform duties as assigned by the principal or designee.

Benefits

• District-offered professional development opportunities including de-escalation strategies, the use of educational technologies, evidence-based math and literacy interventions, specialized curriculum for students with disabilities (as needed), and job coaching (as needed).
• Training in BRIDGE-RI courses to exhibit awareness of the Science of Reading and Structured Literacy.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED