Teacher Assistant

About Knoxville Preparatory School

Knoxville Preparatory School is a tuition-free, all-boys public charter school located in Knoxville, TN, dedicated to transforming young lives through exceptional education and character development. Currently serving 6th grade and expanding by one grade level each year, we are building toward a full 6-12 program. Knoxville Prep is committed to closing opportunity gaps, empowering our scholars, and preparing them for success in college and beyond. With a focus on rigorous academics, mentorship, and a supportive community, Knoxville Prep fosters an environment where both scholars and educators can thrive.

Our faculty and staff are a tight-knit team of passionate, innovative educators who believe deeply in our mission. As a Title 1 school, we prioritize inclusivity, grit, and excellence, with smaller class sizes, robust support for both students and teachers, and a collaborative atmosphere. We believe in equipping our educators with the tools and resources they need to excel, recognizing that the success of our scholars starts with an empowered and inspired staff.

Primary Responsibilities

• Works collaboratively and reports to the Principal/Supervisor and communicates with school officials, network officials, teachers, students, parents, vendors, the community, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities under the direction of administration or special education teacher/supervisor
• Training in or willingness to be trained in nonviolent crisis intervention techniques.
  Competent use of verbal and nonverbal techniques designed to prevent or de-escalate students when acting out behaviors occur.
• Competence at and willingness to incorporate consistent patterns of assertive communications including delivering a three-part statement of empathy, verbalizing conflict behavior, and communicating a rectifying statement when behavioral conflict is apparent.
• Ability to maintain a group during emergencies or a time when a teacher must be away from the group
  
• Provides educational assistance to students with disabilities; assists in preparing, modifying, and utilizing instructional materials to meet individual needs of students; assists with development and implementation of Individual Education Program for each student; assists with the data collection and progress monitoring of student’s physical, communication, social/emotional, and educational levels of development; uses special educational strategies and techniques to address students’ academic needs
• Provides physical assistance, including but not limited to toileting, positioning, lifting, carrying, feeding, personal hygiene, or other assistance as determined by specific student needs, to any student with disabilities based on a student’s Individual Education Program
• Oversees, monitors, or covers classes during the short-term absence of the teacher
• Assists teacher and works with students during various class activities; prepares instructional materials for classroom use; assists with instructional and assistive technology.
• Assists with data collection and progress monitoring used to evaluate student performance and skill levels
• Follows established procedures for ensuring students are safe
• Performs clerical tasks in support of teaching activities, officer operations, and/or other school functions
• Assists students and models appropriate social and professional behaviors during community experience or work-based learning
• Chaperones students on field trips occurring during the regular school day
• Performs tasks requiring reading, handwriting, numeracy, oral, and written communication skills, and the use of various equipment and technology in support of teacher responsibilities to assure compliance under the IDEA and to implement student IEP’s
• Attends staff meetings, parent meetings, IEP-Team meetings, or other meetings as required
• Follows established procedures to ensure assigned areas are safe.
• Adheres to the Teacher Code of Ethics as defined by Tennessee Law
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Excellent customer service skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management and prioritization skills.
• Ability to learn and implement a variety of teaching strategies
• Ability to work independently, as a team, and with students who have a variety of disabilities

Qualifications

• High school diploma (or GED)
• Sufficient experience so that with appropriate training, services may be provided in the specific role for which employed
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Principal may find appropriate and acceptable
• One year of experience working with students with disabilities preferred
• Must possess one of the following before reporting to work:
• 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours;
• An associate’s degree or higher; passing score on PRAXIS for Parapro Exam.

Prep Public Schools offers competitive salary and benefits, offers small size classrooms and a relaxed environment with comfortable working hours. Competitive retirement plans through Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System, including a hybrid 401k and pension plan.  In 2018, TCRS was ranked in the top four best funded State Pension plans by the Pew Charitable Trust