Teacher Assistant (Academy Grand)

Position Title: Teacher Assistant 

Department: UCAN Academy and High School 

Reports to: Principal 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Service Delivery

• Works in conjunction with the teacher in the care and education of a group of students.
• Implements specific educational activities for students as directed by the teacher.
• Establishes learning objectives and uses preplanning and classroom teaching to accomplish those objectives.
• Involves all students by utilizing a variety of educational methods to meet students’ individual learning styles.
• Explains directions and models desired student performance.
• Monitors student progress and adjusts instruction based on that progress.
• Establishes closure by summarizing content and fits into context what has been taught.
• Supervises and monitors educational activities both inside and outside the classroom.
• Supervises students in the absence of teacher and performs specific activities pre-determined by the teacher.
• Assists teacher in observing and evaluating the student’s educational progress.

Outreach and Client Engagement

• Promotes orderly behavior throughout the school and clearly defines expected student behavior by encouraging positive behavior and controlling negative behavior.
• Uses appropriate therapeutic methods to promote the social and emotional growth of the students.
• Remains calm at all times and uses appropriate language with students and coworkers.
• Maintains orderly behavior during class.
• Maintains orderly behavior during class transitions and meal breaks.
• Is able to contain children using Therapeutic Crisis Intervention.
• Utilizes Crisis Intervention staff appropriately.
• Assists in maintaining an environment for students that is safe, pleasant and directed towards enhancing the students/ growth and educational development.
• Establishes rapport with students and parents.
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with coworkers and agency personnel.
• Works effectively with all members of the staff.
• Actively listens to others and their points of view.
• Makes a minimum of one phone call per month to each parent.
• Keeps parents informed about their child’s progress and areas for improvement.
• Builds the relationship between the school and parents

Quality and Accountability

• Maintains records and reports and performs other routine administrative duties as required.
• Prepares a documented lesson plan and emergency lesson plan for each school day.
• Keeps appropriate individual records, attendance records, and student assessments as designated.
• Produces an IEP annual report for each student in a timely manner and in a format consistent with school requirements.
• Maintains a parent log and in a format consistent with school requirements.
• Completes student report cards in a timely manner and in a format consistent with school requirements

Professionalism and Work Conduct

• Behaves with integrity, demonstrates high ethical standards, and displays a positive image of
• Acts in a professional manner at all times and maintains appropriate boundaries with clients.
• Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitments to others.
• Reports to work, meetings, training, and job related activities prepared and as scheduled.
• Demonstrates openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and coworkers.
• Responds to clients and their families, UCAN staff, IDCFS, service providers and other stakeholders in a timely manner and ensures follow up to adequately address their need.
• Performs other related tasks as required or assigned.

Education/Job Experience/Certification:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required
• BSW or BS/BA in Education preferred
• Type 39 Certification preferred
• Three (3) to five (5) years of classroom experience preferred
• TCI Training

Special Knowledge and Qualifications:

• TCI Training
• Is open and respectful of cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and is willing and competent to work with a diverse client population
• Has an understanding of trauma-informed practice
• Has an understanding of positive Youth Development
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Working knowledge of the child welfare system