Urbana School District #116

TITLE: Special Education Teaching Assistant (for Cross Categorical, TEACCH, and

Inclusion Programs)

LOCATION: Thomas Paine Elementary

SUPERVISOR:  Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, Director of Student Services, and/or Building Administration

JOB SUMMARY:  The Special Education Teaching Assistant works under the direct supervision of the special education teacher and under the broad supervision of the building principal.

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

• Provide assistance to students to help develop their independence.
• Assist in carrying out lessons to students as arranged by the teacher, including working with students on an individual or small group basis.
• Adapt and accommodate students’ academic programming in general education classes as developed by the special education teacher.
• Follow each student’s individual behavioral plan as well as the classroom behavior management plan.
• Provide for special needs of individual students, including lifting, hygiene, and restroom assistance if necessary.
• Assist the teacher in maintaining a functional, attractive, orderly environment conducive to student learning.
• Assist the special education teacher in clerical tasks, computer work, arts and crafts preparation, playground Supervision, housecleaning duties, and bus loading and unloading.
• 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 is not present.
• Provide programs for students off School property if requested. (These may include, but are not limited to, field trips and vocational and aquatic center activities.)
• Record and compile data monitoring academic and behavior programming.
• Participate in staff team/collaboration meetings as assigned.
• Perform all other duties and tasks assigned from time to time by the special education teacher as it relates to individual students or the classroom.
• Monitor student needs and behaviors during lunch, going to and from all classes, and at all times.
• Report any unusual student behaviors to the teacher or administrator.
• Maintain strict standards of student and family confidentiality.
• Use appropriate TCI techniques, including de-escalation strategies and therapeutic restraint methods, when students are in danger of harming themselves or others.
• Become certified in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention training and maintain current certification.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION

• Must meet all requirements for the position as designated by the ISBE to obtain a Paraprofessional License: 60 hours of college credit or passing scores on a Work Keys Basic Skills

EXPERIENCE

• Two years of school-based experience is 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: This will be completed by the principal with input from the special education teacher.

START DATE:  ASAP

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

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

REVISED:  January 2011