Teacher Assistant (SPED Instruction)

About the position

The Teacher Assistant works under the general direction of the school principal and immediate supervision of a certified teacher. The role involves assisting in the instruction of pupils and performing related duties as required. This includes supervising students during lunchroom and playground activities, providing security functions within the school, and assisting students with classroom assignments.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the supervision of students during lunchroom and playground activities.
• Provide security functions within the school such as monitoring corridors and reviewing student identification cards.
• Assist students in understanding and completing classroom assignments.
• Assist teachers in preparing bulletin boards and displaying students' work in classrooms.
• Operate photocopying and duplicating machines to reproduce educational materials.
• Assist in maintaining the orderly arrangement of classrooms.
• Greet and direct visitors to appropriate areas of the school.
• Consult with teachers regarding concerns of individual students.
• Operate audio-visual equipment such as video cassette recorders, movie projectors, film strip projectors, tape recorders, and phonographs.
• Provide tutoring services to students under the supervision of the classroom teacher.
• Assist in collecting and grading students' homework assignments and examination materials under the supervision of the classroom teacher.
• Assist in supervising the loading and unloading of students on school buses.
• Assist in the receipt, processing, and issuance of new books under the supervision of the classroom teacher.
• Collect daily classroom absentee reports and contact parents and guardians to verify causes of student absences.
• Assist elementary school teachers with wraps and toilet recesses as necessary.
• Assist in the supervision of the school procedure to sell public transportation passes to students.

Requirements

• Must possess a valid TASN (NCLB) paraprofessional license from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
• Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of college credit at an accredited college or university or successful completion of a paraprofessional exam (Work Keys or Parapro).
• Good knowledge of proper English grammar and spelling.
• Basic knowledge of mathematics.
• Knowledge of Chicago Public Schools rules and regulations.
• Ability to work with and for school-aged children.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to operate basic office equipment.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Good reading skills.
• Skill in operating audio-visual equipment and personal computers is highly desirable.