Teacher Associate

Primary Purpose: To help with teaching responsibilities, administrative tasks, and supervision of children, especially in grades 6-8. 

Essential Functions:

1. Assist teacher in planning daily activities in accordance with the curriculum
2. Assist classroom teacher with academic instruction based on guidelines and procedures
3. Provide clerical and administrative support to teachers and professionals
4. Monitor and manage children, particularly those with specific needs
5. Prepare educational materials and instructions for daily programs, as applicable
6. Ensure a clean and safe classroom at all times; assisting teacher with cleaning protocols as directed
7. Enforce and follow all policies and procedures when it comes the school setting
8. May serve as a resource person during conferences, home visits, meetings, etc.
9. Perform additional tasks as required by the job and other duties as assigned

Collaborative Relationships: Interacts extensively with the following positions:

• Parents & Parent organizations
• Teachers, staff, and educational colleagues
• Administration

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• As applicable–may include lunchroom supervision, recess supervision, before school supervision, after school supervision, temporary classroom supervision, hallway transition supervision, field trips, etc.
• Make students aware of school rules and keep expectations high and consistent
• Reinforces desired behaviors and discourages inappropriate behavior in a positive and firm but fair manner; guided by principles of school behavior program (PBIS)
• May be working one-on-one with a student, with a small group, or with a whole class
• Assist with hygiene situations (as appropriate and allowed by Virtus and other protocols)
• When it comes to outdoor student supervision, follows weather related safety guidelines

Knowledge, Skills, Experience Required or Preferred:

High school diploma or GED preferred at minimum; some positions require further education.  Additional certification in child development or special education is helpful, and training requests will continue to be ongoing.  Previous work within an educational environment strongly preferred. Excellence in handling and managing children.  Self-motivated individual with a positive and encouraging attitude, initiative, and a passion for the education system.  Exceptional verbal and communication skills. Strong presentation and reporting skills. Great interpersonal and social skills. Must be able to obtain a safe environment certification and pass all required background checks as applicable to the situation.

Physical and Cognitive Requirements:

Active work: the physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job and are not meant to be all inclusive. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job.  While performing this job the staff member must be able to:

• Sit, stand and walk for required periods of time within the classroom and school
• Assist with some light lifting (such as rest cots, chairs, school supplies, etc.)
• Speak, hear, and communicate effectively both verbally and in writing using proper grammar and vocabulary
• Use close vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception along with the ability to focus vision
• Reach with hands and arms and use hands and fingers to handle objects and operate tools, computers, and/or controls; some light lifting may be required

Duties may require travel and attendance at evening and/or weekend meetings.  Although work is performed primarily under inside environmental conditions, the required travel may result in temporary exposure to outside environmental conditions.  Regular driving and valid driver’s license are required.  Duties require a wide range of intellectual and practical problem-solving skills and comprehension of complex concepts.