Special Education Teaching Assistant

Hiring for all grade levels (elementary, middle, high school and 18-21 yrs. of age) teaching assistants 2 (work with special education students).

*Education Assistant, intervention specialists and mental health practitioners hired for school year 23-24 could be eligible to receive a $4,000 hiring & retention bonus. Limited bonuses available. We have met the allowed bonuses for teaching assistants.

Typical duties expected to perform:

The essential job functions of a Teaching Assistant include, but are not limited to the following fundamental duties. Able to perform the duties in these various environmental conditions. May be assigned to any of the following Teaching Assistants as needed to support student’s academic.

Teaching Assistant 1 (general education/classroom)

-Work under the direction of a licensed teacher and/or other licensed instructional or nursing staff

- Able to follow daily schedule

- Prepared to support all students in the general education classroom, including those with 504 Plans or Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)

-Monitor student behavior in the classroom by observing and keeping records. Observe that students are paying attention to their work and completing their assignments. Advise students and direct appropriate behavior. Review and correct student work. Help students with workbooks and other materials. Assist in keeping daily student records.

-Tutor students in reading, language arts, spelling, mathematics, social studies, and other subjects.

-Assist teachers with checkout and check-in of educational materials and consumables. Organize and maintain instructional materials such as books, flash cards, blocks, clocks, and rulers. Set up and take down equipment used in class.

-Prepare, duplicate, and assemble materials for teacher and other professional staff, such as a nurse, social worker or counselor. Be comfortable using technology including iPads. Occasionally do some light typing. Maintain displays and bulletin boards. Assist in program registration and fee collection. File materials and answer phones. Deliver messages and meals to rooms.

-Participate in physical education activities with students. Assist teacher with low-organized games.

-Assist in planning parties and special projects.

Teaching Assistant 2 (special education) positions may perform some or all of these duties in addition to those listed above. Able to perform the duties in these various environmental conditions

-Assist in implementing student Individualized Educational Plan (IEP), 504 Plans, Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP), and sensory plans.

-Support the inclusion of students with disabilities in general education classrooms and environments.

-Record data on students’ IEP objectives and BIPs for use in monitoring and adjusting student programs

- Assist students with teaching students to complete functional skills, such as feeding, dressing, toileting and other self-help activities. Maintain toileting area and equipment. Set up meal area and equipment.

-Assist teachers in working with individual students in with communications systems therapy, and discipline across the school day and in all environments.

- Able to be mobile and move around classrooms and the schools to anticipate and meet the variety of student needs.

-Complete Third Party billing daily

-Provide follow up instruction on Positive Behavioral Interventions and implement de-escalation strategies to avoid power struggles.

-Be trained in Non-violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) for de-escalation and physical restraint techniques. Only use NVCI physical intervention techniques when needed to assure the safety of the student or other students

-Assist in supporting students on field trips

Teaching Assistant 2 - Floater

Elementary School Floater Special Education-Teaching Assistant (TA2) (special education) positions may perform some or all of these duties in addition to those listed above. will be scheduled to provide supports to students in the specialized program classrooms so staffing is maintained during other assistants’ breaks and lunches. At other times of the day, the TA will be assigned to support instruction for other students with paraprofessional support on their IEPs in general education and special education classrooms. TA2 Floater performs all functions of an TA2.

Class 1, Class 2 and Floater Teaching Assistants may perform other similar tasks and duties as required. All Teaching Assistants are required to lift more than 40 pounds. All Teaching Assistant positions may require bus duty. Bus duty includes helping students with disabilities enter bus; lock wheelchairs into place; fasten seatbelt and/or shoulder harness; help keep order on bus; maintain comfort and hygiene on bus. Assist in students exiting the bus; bring students into school building; take students to proper classroom. Escort students from bus safely to the curb. In addition, behavior interventions plans for the bus are implemented

All of these duties can take place within the school building, on the bus, on field trips or field experiences, on the playground or any school environment.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

-Must be physically be able to lift more than 40 pounds when applicable.

-Able to sit, walk, climb, crouch, kneel, push, talk and hear.

TA2s are required to be trained in the Special Education Orientation.

-Must be trained and maintained Non-violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) and bus safety training and CPR as required.

-Regardless if you are TA1 or TA2, you may be assigned to a Special Education bus route(s), the following requirements must be completed within 30 days of being assigned to ride the bus: basic first aid, CPR and bus safety policies and procedures training. This required training will be offered by the District's Transportation Department. Employees who have taken this training from the American Red Cross are required to show evidence of completion to the Transportation Department. It is required to repeat this training as necessary in order to remain certified.

The essential job functions of a Teaching Assistant include, but are not limited to, the following fundamental duties. Able to perform the duties in these various environmental conditions. May be assigned to any of the following Teaching Assistants as needed to support student’s academic.

Minimum qualifications:
One of the following:
-An AA, AS, AAS (or higher) degree, or
-Two years of post-secondary coursework (60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits) from an accredited institution of higher education which are applicable toward a bachelors degree, or
-Passing score of 460 (or higher) on the ParaPro Assessment AND either a high school diploma or a GED certificate. (For more information on the ParaPro Assessment, contact Educational Testing Service at 1-800-772-9476 or www.ets.org/parapro)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $16.00 - $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 30 – 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Grade school specialties:

• Elementary school
• High school
• Kindergarten
• Middle school
• Pre-Kindergarten

Physical setting:

• Public school
• School
• Special education school

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• No nights
• No weekends

COVID-19 considerations:
Masks are optional. Regular cleaning and sanitizing at all facilities.

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Saint Paul, MN: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $16 - $22