Kindergarten Teaching Assistant

Newton Public Schools•Newton, MA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Kindergarten Teaching Assistant works under the guidance and alongside the classroom teacher and assists in the instruction and supervision of students, assisting the teacher in achieving educational objectives by working with individual students or small groups, assisting students by modeling the necessary skills to perform academic, social, and behavioral tasks, modeling appropriate behaviors and interactions with students and staff. The teaching assistant supports the teacher in providing a well-organized, smoothly functioning class environment that is culturally proficient and responsive to each student’s diverse needs.

Requirements

High School diploma and college level courses in early child development, special education, or education
Instructional experience in elementary public school setting preferred

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred
Teaching certificate preferred
Demonstrated knowledge and application of effective teaching assistant principles, practices and trends
Ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with supervising teacher, students, staff, families and school community
Ability to perform essential job duties at a high level
Ability to work on multiple tasks and prioritize appropriately
Ability to recognize areas of concern relating to student issues and propose or recommend appropriate solutions to problems
Ability to communicate effectively

Responsibilities

Executes instructional activities with individual students or small groups of students following teacher direction and demonstration
Provides assistance to students during special classes (art, music, etc.), as needed
Assists general education and special education students
Assists with and implements positive behavior support plans designed by teacher and/or other school personnel
Assists and monitors student use of instructional and other equipment
Serves as a source of information and help to any substitute teacher assigned in the absence of the regular teacher
Maintains the same high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students as is expected of the classroom teachers
Assists students leaving and entering transportation vehicles, accompanies students to and from classrooms
Assists with supervision of students during emergency drills
Assists students with activities of daily living such as eating, grooming, bathing, and hygiene related to toileting
Observes and intervenes to redirect inappropriate behavior
Assists, monitors, and guides the student to focus on learning, participate in activities, and complete tasks
Models conversation, manners, clean-up activities, listening, and everyday interactions for the purpose of demonstrating appropriate pro-social skills in a culturally responsive manner
Attends meetings and in-service presentations as assigned for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to job functions
May be expected to provide substitute educator services
May be expected to attend trainings related to position
Consistent, reliable and punctual attendance is essential for supervision and instruction of the students
Responsible for implementing “other job-related duties” as needed