JOB TITLE: Teaching Assistant

LOCATION: Sargent Elementary

REPORTS TO: Is under the immediate direction of the Special Education Teacher/liaison and/or classroom teacher. Is under the general direction of the Building Principal/Special Education Administrator.

EVALUATED BY: Principal/Designee and/or Special Education Administrator with input from Special Education Teacher/liaison and/or classroom teacher.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:  The teaching assistant will assist in all aspects of assigned student(s) in the integrated education and/or sub separate program as coordinated by the Special Education liaison and in accordance with the Individual 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 student(s) throughout the total school environment to implement goals and objectives of the Individual 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.
• Collect student data for reporting purposes as determined by the special education teacher, related service provider, BCBA, and/or classroom teacher.
• May assist special education teacher 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 (ADL) as determined by their IEP and/or specific disability when such assistance is required on a regular basis.  ADL’s 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 program needs change.  
• Attend in-service professional development activities appropriate to their position.
• Participates in ongoing training scheduled/provided by the district including; 
• training and implementation of behavior support plans based on the function of behavior, interventions using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) (e.g., discrimination, differential reinforcement, extinction, shaping, etc)
• de-escalation strategies and behavior management techniques that promote the safety of self and students (body positioning, physical management techniques, universal precautions, proper lifting techniques, etc).
• Implements applied behavior analysis (ABA) principles and behavior support plans under the direction of the district BCBA or qualified district employees.
• 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.  

WORK YEAR:  182 days (10 months) 

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:  As negotiated by the North Andover School Committee and the North Andover Professional Support Association.