What are the responsibilities and job description for the Special Education Teaching Assistant (for Cross Categorical, TEACCH, and Inclusion Programs) position at Thomas Paine Elementary School?
Urbana School District #116
TITLE: Special Education Teaching Assistant (for Cross Categorical, TEACCH, and
Inclusion Programs)
LOCATION: Thomas Paine
SUPERVISOR: Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, Director of Student Services, and/or Building Administration
JOB SUMMARY: The Special Education Teaching Assistant works under the direct supervision of the special education teacher and under the broad supervision of the building principal.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.
- Provide assistance to students to help develop their independence.
- Assist in carrying out lessons to students as arranged by the teacher, including working with students on an individual or small group basis.
- Adapt and accommodate students’ academic programming in general education classes as developed by the special education teacher.
- Follow each student’s individual behavioral plan as well as the classroom behavior management plan.
- Provide for special needs of individual students, including lifting, hygiene, and restroom assistance if necessary.
- Assist the teacher in maintaining a functional, attractive, orderly environment conducive to student learning.
- Assist the special education teacher in clerical tasks, computer work, arts and crafts preparation, playground Supervision, housecleaning duties, and bus loading and unloading.
- Promote and model responsible, respectful, and safe behaviors.
- Promote and model appropriate social interactions with and between students.
- Maintain the classroom routine when the teacher is not present.
- Provide programs for students off School property if requested. (These may include, but are not limited to, field trips and vocational and aquatic center activities.)
- Record and compile data monitoring academic and behavior programming.
- Participate in staff team/collaboration meetings as assigned.
- Perform all other duties and tasks assigned from time to time by the special education teacher as it relates to individual students or the classroom.
- Monitor student needs and behaviors during lunch, going to and from all classes, and at all times.
- Report any unusual student behaviors to the teacher or administrator.
- Maintain strict standards of student and family confidentiality.
- Use appropriate TCI techniques, including de-escalation strategies and therapeutic restraint methods, when students are in danger of harming themselves or others.
- Become certified in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention training and maintain current certification.
QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION
- Must meet all requirements for the position as designated by the ISBE to obtain a Paraprofessional License: 60 hours of college credit or passing scores on a Work Keys Basic Skills
EXPERIENCE
- Two years of school-based experience is preferred
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Highly organized
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
- Excellent problem-solver
- Should be able to work with students with a history of behavior or learning problems
- Proven to work under pressure and can prioritize multiple tasks
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Student Contact Days
EVALUATION: This will be completed by the principal with input from the special education teacher.
START DATE: ASAP and for SY 2025-26
NOTE: This is a non-exempt position within the collective bargaining unit and not an administrative position.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
REVISED: January 2011
