Title: Special Education Teaching Assistant

Purpose of Position: To provide an engaging and enriching educational experience for students 

Employment Status: Full-time Reporting

Reports to: Principal

Location: Assigned Campus

Essential Functions:

The role of SPED Teaching Assistant is a very diverse position and requires a person to be flexible at all times, courteous toward the child even in difficult situations, responsible, able to collaborate  with others, and have excellent communication skills.

SPED TA's responsibilities will vary depending on their placement. However, each SPED TA will have a regular duty schedule and break for   lunch.

SPED TA's responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Communicate each morning with Lead Teacher's about daily needs/goals.
• Help Lead Teacher's clean/organize and carry out the vision for the classroom environment.
• Observe lessons, make copies, hand out materials, and clarify directions if needed, ensure students properly restore materials.
• Observe SPED students for possible needs for more differentiation and share reflection with the teacher.
• Meet weekly at a set time with Lead Teachers and Instructional Strategists to discuss observations, tracking sheets, positive interactions and concerns.
• Sit near student/students who need extra support.
• Offer help to SPED students, such as taking a cool down walk.
• Build relationships with SPED student/ students and encourage them to grow.
• Use Behavior Trackers consistently when provided by Lead Teacher, Social Worker, SPED Coordinator, or SPED Teacher.

Every person on a SPED child's teaching team should always strive to meet the child at their level, build on their strengths while developing their weaknesses.

Create an Environment of Respect and Rapport

• Encourage and model respectful talk, active listening and turn taking
• Acknowledge students’ backgrounds and lives outside of the classroom
• Exhibit body language indicative of warmth and caring to students
• Encourage and model politeness and support for all community members
• Encourage and model fairness in all interactions
• Actively assist in the supervision of students

Utilize Effective Instructional Strategies

• Encourage and support student enthusiasm, interest, thinking, problem solving, etc.

• Facilitate an environment where students are actively “working” rather than watching while their teacher “works”

• Gathers and uses evidence of student understanding to assist the lead classroom teacher by using the information to inform instruction and remediation
• Assists students in assessing their own work against established criteria 

Display Professionalism and Commitment to the Audubon Community

• Reflect and refine personal practice based on feedback from others and self-reflection
• Assist the lead classroom teacher in maintaining accurate documentation of student progress
• Assist the lead classroom teacher in preparing materials as necessary
• Regularly work with colleagues to share and plan for student success
• Participate in professional development opportunities that emphasize improving practice
• Regularly participate in or initiate school activities which further the mission of the school
• Regularly participate in or initiate activities which emphasize community service
• Supports students even in the face of difficult situations or conflicting policies
• Fulfills organizational mandates regarding policies and procedures

Education, Training and Experience:

REQUIRED

• High School Diploma required
• Experience working with children in a school or related setting
• Experience in and/or understanding of the public school system including charter schools is desirable
• Must be trained in Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) or must be willing to attend the training

PREFERRED

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in education or related field
• CDA
• Applied Behavior Analysis training 

Note: This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with it. Responsibilities may change based on the evolving needs of the school and its students.