Urbana School District #116

TITLE:  Gerber School/UHS/UMS Teaching Assistant

LOCATION:  Based at Gerber School and serves UMS, UHS

SUPERVISOR:  Gerber School Principal, Assistant Principal, Classroom Teachers

JOB SUMMARY:  The Teaching Assistant works under the direction of, and in accordance with, the classroom teacher(s) to plan, coordinate, and implement the assigned classroom program.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

• Assist in carrying out lessons to students as arranged by the teacher, including working with students individually or in small groups.
• Assist the teacher in addressing IEP goals for each student.
• Assist the teacher with managing behaviors.
• Assist the teacher in maintaining a functional, attractive, orderly environment conducive to student learning.
• Promote and model responsible, respectful, and safe behaviors.
• Promote and model appropriate social interactions with and between students.
• Maintain the classroom routine when the teacher/coordinator is not present.
• Work one-to-one with intensive students as assigned by the teacher or Supervising Teacher/Principal/Dean.
• Modify lessons within parameters set by the teacher.
• Maintain close proximity with students to manage behaviors.
• Provide alternative learning areas for the student as needed.
• Accompany student at all times throughout the day.
• Provide specific academic interventions as directed by classroom teachers and/or the CCH Educational Coordinator.
• Provide academic and behavioral support/intervention to CCH public school students.
• Assist the teacher with routine paperwork.
• Assist the teacher in clerical tasks, arts and crafts preparation, and housekeeping duties.
• Record and compile data monitoring student behavior(s).
• Inventory and maintain sufficient classroom supplies (pencils, pens, paper, etc.)
• Check your email daily.
• Complete Restrictive Intervention/Unusual Incident Reports as required.
• Maintain timecard, including inputting all absences and holidays
• Report daily behaviors to the Residential Treatment Center and Group Home staff as required by the Supervising Teacher/Principal
• Participate in staff/team/collaboration meetings as assigned.
• Perform all other duties and tasks as assigned from time to time by the teacher, dean, or principal as they relate to individual students or the classroom.
• Monitor school areas as assigned by the program administrators, supervising teacher/Educational Coordinator.
• Monitor student behaviors in going to and from all classes, RTC, and during bus loading and unloading.
• Monitor student behaviors in vehicles and while on field trips.
• Fill in for missing staff as assigned by the Principal/Peace Team.
• Perform other duties and tasks assigned by the Supervising Teacher, Dean or Principal related to individual students and classrooms and/or clerical duties.
• Participate in professional growth activities, including staff meetings, team collaborations, and training sessions.
• Demonstrate professional work habits.
• Participate in quality improvement planning and programming.
• Fulfill vocational job coach responsibilities as required
• Report any unusual student behaviors to relevant staff, including the program administrators/supervising teachers and educational coordinator.
• Report any suspected abuse to the DCFS hotline as required by your position as a Mandated Reporter.  Inform the Principal when a report has been made.
• Model the agency's core values of integrity, respect, teamwork, compassion, excellence, spirituality (see definition in “Our Core Values”), and accountability in all activities and interactions with clients, coworkers, and the general public.
• Maintain standards of personal and professional conduct that do not conflict with requirements of regulatory and licensing agencies and that do not conflict with the published mission, vision, and core values of Cunningham Children’s Home, Urbana School District #116, and Child Welfare Code of Ethics.
• Maintain consistently good attendance and punctuality.
• Maintain strict standards of client confidentiality.            
• Model and support the agency's respectful, responsible, and safe expectations.
• Maintain all training and documentation requirements in accordance with agency and regulatory policies.
• Know and abide by all policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook and in departmental policies and procedures, including but not limited to:
• prohibition against workplace violence in any form, including both physical and verbal abuse;
• prohibition against illegal discrimination and harassment;
• compliance with all safety procedures.
• Maintain certification and physical condition, which permits employees to perform physical restraints.
• Monitor students at all times.
• Actively participate in agency, program, and/or department quality improvement activities.     

QUALIFICATIONS:  

EDUCATION

• Must meet all requirements for the position as designated by ISBE. A Paraprofessional License is required.  60 hours of college credit or a passing score on the WorkKeys exam.       

EXPERIENCE

• 2 years of school-based experience preferred

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Highly organized
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Excellent problem-solver
• Should be able to work with students with a history of behavior or learning problems
• Proven to work under pressure and can prioritize multiple tasks

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:  Student Contact Days

EVALUATION:  To be completed by Gerber School Principal or Assistant Principal in coordination with classroom teacher/s.

START DATE:  ASAP

NOTE: This is a position within the collective bargaining unit and is not an administrative position.  This is a non-exempt position.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

REVISED:  October 2015