Permanent Teacher Assistant
Under the direction of a certified classroom teacher and/or school administrator, ESS paraprofessionals supplement student education and assist classroom teachers with instructional, behavior management, and/or administrative duties. They support the physical, behavioral, and academic needs of a specific student or group of students with special needs throughout the school day.
Responsibilities
In concert with the certified teacher of the handicapped, attends and participates in classroom meetings and discussions regarding student programming.
In concert with the certified teacher of the handicapped, participates in daily and long-range classroom activity planning, day and evening parent meetings, and weekly after-school program staff meetings.
In concert with and under the direction of the certified teacher of the handicapped, assists in the management and instruction of the students.
Under the direction of the certified teacher of the handicapped, provides instruction for students in individual and/or small group settings, employing behavioral methodologies and instructional techniques.
Under the direction of the certified teacher of the handicapped, works with and/or provides supports to individual students during group instruction.
Under the direction of the certified teacher of the handicapped, ensures that all students are productively engaged in all settings throughout the day.
As requested by the certified teacher of the handicapped, assists students during such activities as dressing, toileting, snacks, lunch, outdoor activities, community-based instruction, and student arrival and departure.
Participates in field trips, including instructional and recreational swim. Teacher Assistants are responsible for regularly participating in swim with students, which includes being in the water with students.
Record student data, including skill acquisition and behavior management programs and graphs.
Assist students with filling out recall sheets.
Convey parent communication to certified teacher.
In concert with the certified teacher of the handicapped, assists with classroom management tasks.
Under the direction of the certified teacher of the handicapped, ensures all materials necessary for students’ skill acquisition programming are prepared prior to students’ arrival.
Under the direction of the behavior specialist and/or the certified teacher of the handicapped, ensures all materials necessary for students’ behavior management programming are prepared prior to students’ arrival.
Under the direction of the behavior specialist and/or the certified teacher of the handicapped, follows all behavior management procedures and guidelines.
Under the direction of the certified teacher of the handicapped, follows all health and safety procedures and guidelines.
As requested by the certified teacher of the handicapped, assists with bulletin board displays and room arrangement.
As requested by the certified teacher of the handicapped, assists with labeling of all classroom materials and the orderly storage and management of such.
To protect the health, safety, and welfare of students, it may be necessary to physically prompt, guide, lift or support students. This may include, but is not limited to, physically prompting or assisting students with basic self-care skills and protecting students from sustaining injuries from themselves or other students. Toward this end, the teacher assistant may be required to assist in lifting or restraining students of preschool age through adulthood and/or to assist in lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling heavy objects or materials. The teacher assistant may also be required to assist in the movement of students who are physically disabled.
Maintains good attendance and punctuality to program, which positively affects the continuity of instruction for students. Compliance with ESS Attendance Control Policies.
Fulfills any additional responsibilities, as requested by the certified teacher of the handicapped and/or the Developmental Learning Center’s Supervisor/Principal.
Addtional Responsibilities:
- Provide instructional reinforcement under the direction of the classroom teacher for individual students and/or small groups of students
- Assist classroom teacher with classroom management and general supervision of the class, following teachers' established routines and procedures
- Serve as the chief source of information and help to any substitute teacher assigned, in the absence of the regular teacher.
- Support students with special needs by following provisions specified in their IEPs/504 Plans.
- Supervise students in the cafeteria, schoolyard, hallways, during specials, on field trips, and/or during before and after school programs as directed.
- Observe student behavior and progress, keep notes, and report to classroom teacher and/or other school designee(s).
- Assist with administrative duties as directed such as recording grades, setting up equipment, preparing materials for instruction, etc.
- Attend to students' physical, personal, academic, and emotional needs; help with translation and hygienic needs when necessary.
- Promote a safe and orderly classroom environment; take all reasonable precautions to protect students, facilities, and materials.
- Assist with bus loading and unloading during arrival and departure of students
- Demonstrate cooperation and flexibility in performing other related duties as assigned by school administration and ESS.
- Understand and adhere to all ESS and school district policies and procedure.
- Facilitate diapering and toileting for students, following individualized care plans to ensure proper hygiene and comfort. Training will be provided to ensure adherence to best practices and promote a supportive, respectful environment for each student’s needs.
Qualifications:
High school diploma and experience with special needs students required. Two or more college years preferred.
Valid NJ criminal history letter
Proof of negative Tuberculosis test required prior to start of employment
Direct experience with students who have exceptional needs in the areas of learning, attention, engagement, emotional/behavioral regulation, self-help, and hygiene.
About ESS
As leaders in the education staffing space since 2000, ESS specializes in placing qualified staff in daily, long-term, and permanent K-12 school district positions including substitute teachers, teacher assistants, paraprofessionals, and other school support staff. Over the last 26 years, we have innovated education staffing to provide dynamic solutions to school districts and professional opportunities to passionate educators. Our team serves over 7 million students with a pool of 92,000 substitute and permanent employees throughout 38 states. Internally, the ESS team is comprised of 650 individuals with a passion for education working together to ensure our 1,200 partner districts experience valuable education every day.
We provide our employees with the ability to work in school districts across the country in addition to benefits, comprehensive training, flexible work schedules, and professional development.
ESS Diversity Statement
ESS continuously works to create an environment where all its employees - regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality, age or abilities - can work to the fullest of their potential in a fair and welcoming space. Believing that a diverse company is more innovative and successful, we have embraced diversity to ensure that we are empowered to make sure that “Every day counts” for our employees, the students, and the schools we serve nationwide.
ESS is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.