Teacher Assistant/Paraprofessional

Position Title:  TEACHER ASSISTANT 

Reports to:  Classroom Teacher, Principal & Assistant Principal

 

Supervises:  N/A

 

Job Description:

An employee in this class provides support to the teacher in the instruction of students. A wide variety of tasks are performed to support the teacher in the teaching-learning process for students. The work is directed by specific instructions, precedents and established policy. Problems are solved through the exercise of judgement in selecting the best course of action to be taken. Errors are expected to be recognized promptly by the supervisor and corrected with little negative consequence. The work is performed under the limited supervision of the teacher and/or principal. 

 

Qualifications:  

Associate’s degree or completion of at least 48 semester hours towards a degree

Bachelor’s degree is preferred

 

Duties & responsibilities:

Academic Assistance 

Gives group instruction as prescribed by teacher. 

Provides individualized instruction. 

Demonstrates various instructional activities. 

Monitors work assigned by teacher. 

Checks and corrects students' work while in progress. 

Keeps students on task. 

Praises and reinforces achievement of students. 

Reports student progress to teacher. 

Instructional Preparation/Support 

Serves as substitute teacher. 

Arranges classroom furnishings and equipment. 

Prepares visual aids. 

Duplicates materials. 

Reorganizes materials at the end of day. 

Serves as proctor during testing. 

Attends workshops. 

Scores students' papers as instructed by teacher. 

Distributes and collects instructional materials. 

Report And Records 

Checks and reports attendance. 

Enters data in health record. 

Records student behavior. 

Files data according to regulatory requirements.

 Monitoring Student Behavior 

Supervises students in the classroom and other locations. 

Creates and distributes awards for positive behavior. 

Promotes student self esteem. 

Teaches citizenship, social skills and respect for others. 

Reconciles minor student conflicts. 

Participates in development of discipline policy. 

Disciplines misbehavior through approved methods. 

Reports discipline problems to teacher or principal. 

Reports to supervisor significant change or lack of change in student behavior.

Other duties as assigned

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

Working knowledge of effective methods of dealing with children. 

Working knowledge of the core subjects at the grade level to which employment assignment is made. 

Some knowledge of the school organization and its community. 

Some knowledge of expected behavior of children, that is, basic characteristics of ages and stages. 

Skill necessary to operate audiovisual equipment and common office machines. 

Skill to make learning aids which will strengthen lesson plans. 

Ability to comprehend the purpose of teacher designed strategies as a fulfillment of the instructional objective. 

Ability to discern significant student behavior and refer this to the supervisor. 

Ability to impart information to the child's level of comprehension. 

Ability to apply impartially and consistently proper methods of recognition, reward and punishment. 

Ability to solve independently most minor problems. 

Ability to follow minimally detailed written and oral instructions without constant supervision. 

Ability to record and store data accurately. 

Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form.

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide, and perform arithmetic operations as needed to assist students.

Ability to understand, apply and use personal computers and software applications (e.g., Word, Excel).

Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals.

Ability to maintain confidentiality of information regarding students, employees and others.

Ability to establish a supportive and compassionate relationship with students with special needs.

Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff and others contacted in the course of work.

Ability to report work orally or in writing to supervisor as required.

Effective writing and verbal communication skills.

 

Additional Duties:

-  Perform any other related duties as assigned.

Note:   The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities.  It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.

Equipment

-  Use standard office equipment, such as personal computers and copiers.

 

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards

-  Works in standard office and school building environments.

-  Ability to work outdoors during outdoor student activities.

Note:   Also see the Summary of Physical, Sensory and Environmental Requirements Needed to Perform Essential Functions for this position.

 

FLSA Status:             Non-exempt