EC Teacher Assistant - Interim @ Bessemer City Central

Gaston County Schools•Bessemer City, NC

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The EC Teacher Assistant supports students with health, behavioral, or instructional needs so they can meet Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals and succeed in the general curriculum. Depending on the advertised vacancy and assigned students, the position may involve behavior support, client-specific care, Pre-Kindergarten, visually impaired classes, job coaching, or substitute bus-driver duties. The employee assists teachers, supports instruction and behavior plans, monitors students, collects and reports data, prepares materials, and participates in staff development and school activities. The position reports to the School Principal and is classified as non-exempt, Grade 54. Duties may include supporting students in classrooms and other settings; assisting with personal, health-related, and mobility needs; accompanying students on buses, field trips, and extracurricular activities; and maintaining student safety, confidentiality, records, and positive behavior. Specialized assignments may include supporting students with behavioral challenges, assisting blind or visually impaired students and preparing accessible materials, reinforcing Pre-K learning and routines, or helping students with disabilities develop and maintain job skills. Candidates must have a high school diploma and at least 48 semester hours from a regionally accredited college or university, or an associate degree, and meet the highly qualified designation under federal NCLB. Willingness to obtain a CDL is required if it is part of the advertised duties. A required health exam, criminal records check, and drug test apply; the position is safety-sensitive and subject to random drug testing. Work with preschool children additionally requires the federally mandated childcare background check and fingerprints.

Requirements

High school diploma.
At least 48 semester hours from a regionally accredited college or university, or an associate degree.
Must meet the highly qualified (HQ) designation under federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB).
Willingness to obtain a CDL if it is part of the advertised duties.
Knowledge of child development and the ability to communicate effectively and build positive relationships with students.
Ability to organize assignments and materials and assist classroom professionals.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality when working with sensitive students and situations.
Ability to monitor student safety, motivate students, maintain classroom order, and follow oral and written instructions.
General knowledge of classroom routines, student handbook rules, emergency procedures, adapting instruction and tools for children with special needs, and grade-level curriculum.
Ability to perform general clerical duties, operate common office machines, and maintain basic files and records.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including standing and walking and exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and up to 25 pounds frequently; some assignments require lifting and supporting students and assisting with personal or medical needs.
Must pass a required health exam, criminal records check, and drug test; the safety-sensitive position is subject to random drug testing.
For work with preschool children, must meet federally mandated childcare background-check and fingerprint requirements.
Must have auditory, visual, and physical skills necessary to manage students and the classroom safely.

Responsibilities

Support students with health, behavioral, or instructional needs in meeting IEP goals and succeeding in the general curriculum.
Assist teachers in classroom and non-classroom settings, including adapting instruction or tasks when appropriate.
Support development and implementation of behavior-management strategies and behavior intervention plans; monitor interventions and student responses.
Perform student-specific duties related to health, behavior, instruction, personal care, and safety, including assistance in bathrooms, cafeterias, and classrooms as needed.
Prepare classroom materials and operate equipment used to produce them.
Collect and report student data to appropriate administrators, teachers, parents, and related service providers.
Participate in staff development, training, and relevant team meetings.
Accompany and monitor assigned students on buses as needed, field trips, extracurricular events, and school activities.
For applicable assignments, support Pre-K classroom activities and routines, assist with toileting and medication as authorized, and communicate with parents as directed.
For visually impaired student assignments, accompany students, obtain and prepare Braille or other accessible materials, describe classroom information, and support skills and assessments.
For job-coach assignments, assist students with job-skill development, monitor workplace performance, collect progress data, and help resolve work-related obstacles.
For bus-driver assignments, follow the Bus Driver Agreement and Handbook, complete bus reports, and accept special driving assignments.
Maintain student confidentiality, accurate records, a safe and orderly environment, and positive relationships with students and colleagues.
Perform other duties as assigned.