Education Support Assistant

About the Employer

Teaching Assistant

Location

Atkinson

Supervisor(s)

Under the immediate direction of the Special Education Teacher/Liaison and/or Classroom Teacher.
Under the general direction of the Building Principal/Special Education Administrator.

Evaluator(s)

Principal/Designee and/or Special Education Administrator or Designee with input from Special Education Teacher/Liaison and/or Classroom Teacher.

General Description

The Teaching Assistant will assist in all aspects of assigned students in the Integrated Education and/or Sub-Separate Program as coordinated by Special Education in accordance with the Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Qualifications

High School Diploma or GED required

Associate’s Degree or Higher in Related Field and Previous Experience/Training (e.g., Education, Child Development, Psychology, etc.) preferred

Degree or Certification related to Behavior Management with a minimum of six (6) months of experience working with children with developmental delays preferred

Background in working with children with disabilities preferred

Familiarity in reading and understanding IEPs preferred

Demonstrates ability to manage complex/ varied tasks simultaneously

Excellent personal and communication skills in working with school personnel and community members and with a high level of confidentiality

Some Special Education Teaching Assistants may be assigned to work with an individual student and will need to meet specific qualifications

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Works with assigned students throughout the total school environment to implement goals and objectives of the Individualized Education Programs under the direction of the Special Education Teacher and/or Classroom Teacher.

Under the direction of the Special Education Teacher and Specialists, use developmentally and age-appropriate strategies, language, equipment, materials, and technologies in a manner that facilitates student learning.

May provide one-to-one and/or small group instruction and assistance in accordance with the student’s IEP and under the direction of the Special Education Teacher, Related Service Provider, and/or Classroom Teacher.

Collects student data for reporting purposes as determined by the Special Education Teacher, Related Service Provider, BCBA, and/or Classroom Teacher.

May assist Special Education Teachers in collecting student work, supervising tests, and make-up work as determined by the Special Education Teacher and Specialist.

Maintains confidentiality of individual students and their families.

May assist students with activities of daily living (ADLs) as determined by their IEP and/or specific disability when such assistance is required on a regular basis. ADLs include but are not limited to hygiene, feeding, mobility, wheelchairs, etc. This will be determined on an individual basis at the time of hire.

If the assignment requires toileting duties, the Teaching Assistant will be informed in writing at the time of hire or if the program needs change.

Attends in-service professional development activities appropriate to their position.

Other duties as assigned by the Building Principal, Special Education Administrator, and/or District BCBA.

Working Conditions

Working in a school setting. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy indoor environment with work inside about 85% of the time and work outside about 15% of the work schedule.

The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling and significant fine finger dexterity.

Generally the job requires 20% sitting, 40% walking, and 40% standing.

In special circumstances, the employee may be required to move up to thirty-five (35) pounds such as adaptive equipment and supplies and also work with members of the team to address student’s physical needs (e.g. positioning students under the direction of the Physical Therapist, bathrooms needs, etc.) and up to fifty (50) pounds if the Teaching Assistant has had safety care training or is assigned to a multiple supports classroom.

Terms of Employment/Salary

As negotiated by the North Andover School Committee and the North Andover TA Association.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties may be assigned as required.