POSITION:            Teacher Assistant

REPORTS TO:        Principal

SALARY GRADE:    56-TA

NATURE OF WORK

An employee in this class provides support to the teacher in the instruction of students. In some cases, E.C. assistants may work one-on-one with special needs students, in which cases such assistants may be required to possess additional skills and training in providing for the specific physical needs of such students. A wide variety of tasks are performed to support the teacher in the teaching-learning process for students. The work is performed under the supervision of the teacher and principal.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK

• 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.
• Continued on next page
• 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. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES   (Additional duties may be assigned)

• 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 maintain confidentiality of student information 

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals consistent with the duties of this position
• Ability to compose and write routine reports consistent with the duties of this position
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from administrators, staff and the general public consistent with the duties of this position

REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists consistent with the duties of this position
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form consistent with the duties of this position

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk and use fingers, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand and reach with hands and arms. Specific visual abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and depth perception. Occasionally the employee will lift up to 50 lbs. such as to lift files and paper.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. The employee continuously interacts with the public and staff.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• 2 or 4 year degree in any area/OR 
• Completion of 96 Community College/University contact hours and an acceptable score on college placement test in reading, writing and math. 

This specification has been designated to represent the general nature and level of work found in positions in this class. As such, it is not intended to contain all of the duties and qualifications required of an employee in a single position (job). Consequently, it is not to be perceived as a position (job) description or as identification of essential functions as required by ADA. 

EVALUATION

Performance in this position will be evaluated regularly by the supervisor in accordance with Board Policy.