Teaching Assistant

REQUIRED: NYS Teaching Assistant Certificate 1 or Higher or NYS Teaching Certification.

Purpose: The Teaching Assistant will provide instructional services to students under the general supervision of a licensed or certified teacher. They are an integral part of the Palmyra-Macedon Central School District's mission to help our students learn, grow, and contribute.

Core Values:

As a Pal-Mac staff member, we believe that we can achieve our vision and accomplish our mission if, in all of our work, we focus on clearly defined and consistently demonstrated core values.

In all of our actions and interactions we:

• Focus on students
• Value the power of positive relationships
• Act with integrity and honesty
• Work with a purpose, striving for excellence, pride and passion
• Approach experiences with an open mind and a willingness to grow
• Foster safety and a sense of belonging

Expected Results:

1. Teaching Assistants will provide students with the differentiated instruction they need by:

• Working with individual pupils or groups of pupils on special instructional projects
• Assisting pupils in the use of available instructional resources.
• Utilizing their own special skills and abilities by assisting in the instructional programs in such areas as foreign languages, arts, crafts, music and similar subjects.
• Assisting students with specific health-related activities as appropriate.

2. By working together, the teacher and teacher assistant will create and deliver dynamic lessons to their students by:

• Providing the teacher with information about pupils which will assist the teacher in the development of appropriate learning and behavioral experience.
• Assisting in the development of instructional resources.
• Assisting in related instructional work as required.
• Assisting the teacher in creating lesson plans
• Presenting segments of lesson plans as directed by the teacher.

3. All parents, students, community members, employees, and all visitors to the Palmyra-Macedon CSD will experience the Pal-Mac Way by:

• Greeting parents, students, community members, employees, and all visitors with a friendly and helpful attitude.
• Displaying a customer service approach when working with others in person, on the phone, and through written and electronic communication.
• Being attentive to the needs of all individuals who request their assistance.
• Communicating clearly, both verbally and in writing.
• Utilizing their skills to de-escalate a situation when other people are in a heightened or excited state.

4. The educational needs of all students will be met by:

• Assuming all other duties, projects, and responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Special Services and the Building Principal.

Teaching Assistants will possess the following minimum qualities, qualifications, skills, and/or abilities:

• Possess the proper New York state certification for the position.
• Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.
• Evidence of an open, collaborative style that fosters a sense of teamwork and common purpose.
• Proven people skills and is an effective communicator with a sense of humor. The teacher will be positive, approachable, and respectful of others.
• Willingness to become an active, engaged and visible member of the learning community.
• A clear communicator in both oral and written language.
• Work collaboratively with other staff members, administrators, students, and parents.
• Use problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Listens first.
• Ability to occasionally travel extended distances, including overnights.