EC Teacher Assistant @ Sherwood Elementary

Gaston County Schools • Gastonia, NC

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The employee provides support to students who have health, behavioral, or instructional needs to meet Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals and have success in the general curriculum. This role may involve various specific duties depending on the needs of the students, including behavior support, client-specific care, pre-kindergarten classes, visually impaired classes, job coaching, and bus driving. The position requires a willingness to adapt to diverse student needs and contribute positively to the school environment.

Requirements

• High School diploma.
• Minimum of 48 semester hours (earned at a Regionally Accredited College/University) or an Associate’s degree; meets highly qualified (HQ) designation under federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB).
• Common Competencies: Regular attendance, punctuality, positive attitude, strong work ethic, ability to follow school policies, positive rapport with students and employees, excellent computer skills, excellent record-keeping abilities, strong oral and written communication skills, impeccable ethical behaviors, appropriate behavior management techniques, maintains confidentiality, serves as a positive role model, positively supports the school, uses time wisely, willingly participates in professional learning, seeks duties beyond regular assignment, accepts and acknowledges diversity, clearly understands and implements role differences between teacher and teacher assistant, understands student growth and development, provides a positive atmosphere, successfully operates office equipment, completes tasks on a timely basis, eagerly accepts other duties as assigned.
• Must be able to use a variety of equipment and classroom tools such as computers, copiers, typewriters, calculators, pencils, scissors, and equipment for children with special needs.
• Must be able to exert a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
• Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force to constantly move objects up to 10 pounds.
• Must have the auditory, visual, and physical skills necessary to manage students and the classroom in a manner that assures reasonable safety to students under supervision.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the stages of child development.
• Demonstrates an ability to organize assignments and materials, and assist the professional(s) in the classroom as required.
• Demonstrates ability to use sound judgment and confidentiality.
• General knowledge of activities performed by the lead teacher.
• General knowledge of daily routines of the classroom.
• General knowledge of student handbook rules.
• General knowledge of procedures to follow in the event of an emergency.
• General knowledge of methods of adapting instruction, equipment, and tools for children with special needs.
• General knowledge of the principles of organization and administration.
• Some knowledge of the curriculum for the grade.
• Ability to constantly monitor the safety and well-being of students.
• Ability to motivate students.
• Ability to maintain a clean and orderly environment.
• Ability to perform general clerical duties.
• Ability to maintain order and discipline in a classroom.
• Ability to operate common office machines.
• Ability to maintain basic files and records.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Nice To Haves

• Willingness to obtain the CDL, if advertised as part of the duties.
• May be required to participate in staff development and training to gain knowledge of procedures specific to students with behavioral challenges including Non-Violent Crisis Intervention.
• May be required to participate in bus driver training and become a licensed Bus Driver.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to students with health, behavioral, or instructional needs to meet IEP goals.
• Prepare a variety of materials and operate office equipment.
• Participate in staff development and training related to student needs.
• Communicate effectively with school personnel, students, and parents.
• Assist teachers in developing behavior management strategies and intervention plans.
• Perform specific student behavior-related duties, including assistance in the bathroom, cafeteria, and classroom.
• Work individually on assigned tasks and be an active participant in the teaching process.
• Model for teachers how to modify instruction/tasks and implement strategies for positive behavior support.
• Provide data collection on the fidelity of implementation of behavior intervention plans and student response.
• Report collected data to appropriate individuals.
• Care for children with disabilities involving lifting, supporting, and attending to physical, personal, and medical needs.
• Assist in moving students around the campus.
• Perform student-specific health-related duties.
• Meet students upon arrival and remain with them until the school day ends, as needed.
• Ride the bus with students as needed.
• Accompany and monitor students on field trips.
• Monitor the behavior and work habits of students and keep consistent data.
• Assist teachers with setting up the room for activities, greeting students, and supervising free time.
• Supplement activities of the lead teacher, reinforce learning in small groups, and provide one-on-one assistance.
• Supervise centers and participate in activities for children with special needs.
• Prepare daily snacks and accompany students at recess.
• May work with special programs, accompany classes on field trips, assist with physical education, and perform lunch/bus/hall duty.
• Give approved medications and assist sick or hurt children.
• Prepare letters for parents informing them of classroom activities.
• Accompanies students to and from the bus and guides students to their classrooms.
• Accompanies students to mainstreamed classrooms and assists as necessary.
• Assist students with toileting, including diapering if necessary.
• Accompanies one or more blind students throughout the school day, ensuring safety.
• Obtain Braille books and materials for students.
• Read information on the board to students and describe activities.
• Work with students with visual impairments to review skills and introduce new lessons.
• Assist in preparing materials specific to students who are blind or visually impaired.
• Assist teachers for the visually impaired in conducting functional vision assessments and learning media assessments.
• Assist in the acquisition of job skills and job development, and monitor on-the-job performance of students with disabilities.
• Provide support for clerical, technical, and general classroom functions.
• Work to resolve obstacles to student work performance, such as social interaction conflicts and transportation issues.
• Participate in Transition Team Meetings.
• Conduct data collection for student job skill development.
• Transport students during regular school hours, as required.
• Adhere to all components of the Bus Driver Agreement and Handbook.
• Complete all bus reports accurately.
• Monitor assigned students during extracurricular events.
• Participate in school functions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health exam
• Criminal records check
• Drug test
• Random drug testing (for safety sensitive positions)
• Federally mandated childcare background check and fingerprints (for positions working with preschool children)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED