Teacher Assistant

Jackson County ISD • Jackson, MI

6d • Onsite

About The Position

A Teacher Assistant works collaboratively with general and special education teachers and other teacher assistants to provide educational activities and support students’ basic needs. Duties include assisting with feeding, self-help skills, toileting, communication strategies and instruction, and other assigned tasks. The employee is expected to prioritize students’ safety, well-being, and educational goals in performing all duties.

The role supports students with disabilities from birth to age 26, including students with needs ranging from mild to severe. Teacher Assistants implement Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals under professional staff direction, assist with instruction and behavior management, help with daily living and medical needs when trained and qualified, and support students during activities and transitions. Regular and predictable in-person attendance is required.

The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Applicants are not required to hold current certifications. Some assignments may require driving a personal or school vehicle; in those cases, a valid Michigan driver’s license and good driving record are required, with accommodations considered as appropriate. The anticipated employment date is as soon as possible. Placement on the Special Education Teacher Assistant Salary Schedule depends on qualifications and experience. New employees’ hourly pay ranges from $18.99 to $30.26. Applicants receiving a conditional offer must successfully complete a background check, a pre-employment physical to assess ability to perform the position with or without reasonable accommodations, and a drug test.

Requirements

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Ability to work with children with disabilities from mild to severe, from birth to age 26.
• Ability to interact with the public and other staff.
• Ability to maintain composure under stressful conditions.
• Ability to interact appropriately with students based on developmental data.
• Ability to meet multiple demands from several people.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with students, staff, and the school community.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Ability to perform duties with awareness of district requirements and Board of Education policies.
• Ability to qualify for CPR and first aid certification.
• Ability to learn and follow procedures for meeting student needs.
• For assignments involving driving a personal or school vehicle: valid Michigan driver’s license and good driving record; accommodations will be considered as necessary and appropriate.
• Successful completion of a background check, pre-employment physical, and drug test after receiving a conditional offer.

Nice To Haves

• Successful experience as an aide in a day care training program or special education classroom.
• Advanced training related to special education instructional assistant responsibilities.
• Recommendation by an educational administrator who has supervised the applicant’s work for at least one year.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate initiative and creativity with students and their programs.
• Implement goals and objectives specified in students’ Individual Education Plans under the direction of professional staff.
• Assist with developing and implementing classroom and individual behavior management programs and techniques.
• Perform duties with awareness of students’ possible medical needs and assist with those needs when trained and qualified.
• Assist students with daily needs, including feeding, toileting, grooming, and other daily living activities.
• Assist professional staff with routine tasks and practices, such as bulletin boards and open house.
• Assist with individual or small-group student instruction.
• Facilitate students’ non-instructional needs, such as therapy, including implementation of service programs under professional staff direction.
• Assist instructional staff in supervising students while loading and unloading buses and in the gym, classroom, or playground.
• Assist, when necessary, with lifting students from wheelchairs to changing tables, therapy equipment, and similar locations.
• Assist professional staff with recordkeeping and related administrative support functions concerning student needs.
• Maintain regular and predictable in-person attendance.

Benefits

• Paid health insurance
• Paid dental insurance
• Paid vision insurance
• Paid life insurance
• Paid long-term disability insurance
• Sick days
• Personal business days

What This Job Offers

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