Ex Ed Educational Assistant

Hamilton County Schools•Chattanooga, TN

6h•Onsite

About The Position

The purpose of this job is to provide teaching support and services under the direction of a licensed special education teacher in the implementation of Individual Education Programs for students with disabilities in general or special education classrooms, one-on-one or in small group settings, or with special, more narrowly defined services, or as otherwise needed. Loftis Middle School is a grades 6–8 school located in Hixson, Tennessee, just north of Chattanooga. At Loftis, our work is grounded in joy, purpose, and a deep commitment to keeping students at the center of every decision we make. We believe meaningful learning happens when students feel known, valued, and challenged in a supportive and engaging environment. Teachers at Loftis have a strong understanding of how to use data to inform instruction, plan with intention, and collaborate within both horizontal and vertical teams to meet the diverse needs of students. We value reflective practice and believe that continuous growth—for both students and adults—is essential to a thriving school community. We are seeking educators who bring a growth mindset, a collaborative spirit, and a genuine love for teaching and learning. Our teachers understand the importance of clear procedures, strong relationships, purposeful planning, state standards, and instructional best practices—all while fostering a classroom culture rooted in joy, belonging, and high expectations.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required
basic technology skills required
general office/clerical experience
Has knowledge and skills to support the PreK-12 general curriculum.
Must possess one of the following before reporting to work: (1) 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours; (2) An Associate’s degree or higher; (3) passing score on PRAXIS for Parapro Exam.
Ability to learn and implement a variety of teaching strategies.
Demonstrate proficient verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work collaboratively with students who have a variety of disabilities.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience working with students with disabilities preferred.

Responsibilities

Training in or willingness to be trained in nonviolent crisis intervention techniques.
Competent use of verbal and nonverbal techniques designed to prevent or de-escalate students when acting out behaviors occurs.
Competence at and a willingness to incorporate consistent patterns of assertive communications including delivering a three part statement of empathy, verbalizing conflict behavior, and communicating a rectifying statement when behavioral conflict is apparent.
Ability to maintain a group during emergencies or a time when a teacher must be away from the group.
Provides educational assistance to students with disabilities; assists in preparing, modifying, and utilizing instructional materials to meet individual needs of students; assists with development and implementation of Individual Education Program for each student; assists with the data collection and progress monitoring of student’s physical, communication, social/emotional, and educational levels of development; uses special educational strategies and techniques to address students’ academic needs.
Provides physical assistance, including but not limited to toileting, positioning, lifting, carrying, feeding, personal hygiene, or other assistance as determined by specific student needs, to any student with disabilities based on a student’s Individual Education Program.
Oversees, monitors, or covers classes during the short term absence of the teacher.
Assists teacher and works with students during various class activities; prepares instructional materials for classroom use; assists with instructional and assistive technology,
Assists with data collection and progress monitoring used to evaluate student performance and skill levels;
Follows established procedures for ensuring students are safe.
Performs clerical tasks in support of teaching activities, office operations, and/or other school functions.
Responds appropriately to students’ inappropriate behavior(s). Must be willing to be trained as needed and maintain certification in non-violent positive behavioral interventions and support methods to respond to, diffuse, de-escalate, and control aggressive behavior utilizing physical restraint as appropriate.
Assists students and models appropriate social and professional behaviors during community experience or work based learning.
Chaperones students on field trips occurring during the regular school day only.
Performs tasks requiring reading, handwriting, numeracy, oral and written communication skills, and the use of various equipment and technology in support of teacher responsibilities to assure compliance under the IDEA and to implement student IEP’s.
Demonstrates basic sign language acquisition, communication facilitation competencies, and Brailing skills as needed.
Communicates with supervisors, school officials, teachers, students, parents, vendors, the community, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities under the direction of administration or special education teacher/supervisor.
Attends staff meetings, parent meetings, IEP-Team meetings, or other meetings as required.
Follows established procedures to ensure assigned areas are safe.
Works collaboratively with supervisor, administrators, employees, students, and other stakeholders.
Attends work regularly and arrives to work in a timely fashion.
Maintains confidentiality.
Adheres to the Teacher Code of Ethics as defined by Tennessee Law.
Other responsibilities may include lifting, transferring, and positioning students with physical support needs; appropriate use of assistive technology; feeding/oral-motor interventions; signing; Brailing instructional materials; augmentative systems; etc.
Performs other duties as assigned.