Hours per Week: 35 (All other locations)32.5 (Cissy & Ed Center)GENERAL DESCRIPTION:Teacher assistants provide direct instructional services to students under the general supervision of a licensed or certified special education teacher. Assist the assigned teacher as requested in all areas of the daily classroom routine. Assist the children as requested by the teacher; maintain health and safety of the classroom environment by performing assigned tasks; prepare classroom materials as requested by the teacher. Classroom assignment is subject to change based on program needs.RIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:Professional Duties:Under teacher supervision assists with individual children and small groups in all activities, including instruction.
Attend meetings as assigned.
Appropriately participate in daily planning sessions with teachers to understand the educational interventions.
Fulfill specific assignments as required by teacher. Timely preparation of classroom materials.
Participates in maintaining attractive, safe and hygienic classroom environment.
Under direction of teacher, maintain an appropriate educational environment with respect to health and safety. Regularly clean and disinfecting of countertops tables and toys.
Provide adequate bus and playground, and hallway supervision.
Help with preparation of snack and clean-up activities.
Perform related duties, as required.
Under direction of teacher, provide children with personal care and assistance in all activities of daily living.
Conducts individual and group activities, including instruction, under supervision of teacher.
Facilitate appropriate communications and interactions between adults and peers.Attend team meetings as assigned.Carry out classroom specific and individual behavior management program under supervisionof teacher.Professional Behavior
Cooperate and conduct self in manner appropriate to school setting.
Adhere to program specific policies and procedures.
Perform other assigned duties as required.Professional Development
Attend and participate in all required in-services. Additionally, preschool positions must complete all required OCFS trainings (5 hour health & safety training within the first 90 days of employment, 15 hours of approved training in the first 6 months of employment and 30 hours of approved training within two(2) years.
Attend and participate in supervision and implement recommendations appropriately.
Attend staff meetings with classroom teacher.Adhere to general policies of the organization/regulators including:
Code of Ethical Conduct.
Emergency/disaster preparedness protocols.
Fire/Safety prevention protocols
Departmental in-service education program requirements; may need to fulfill hours outside of agency hours.
Policies and procedures (attendance, punctuality, appearance, professional attitude, etc.)
Quality Improvement activities.
Job related self-development education activities.
Infection control practices and procedures.Regulatory requirements
Annual physical examination and Mantoux testing.Perform other related duties as required.
Demonstrate understanding of the needs of children and visitors for each specific age group.
Address safety and psychological needs of the special age groups, as appropriate, in the performance of work activities.
Address the needs of special groups, hearing impaired, physically challenged and various issues relating to the program and facility.
Maintain child and family confidentiality. Refrain from discussing children in front of them.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSHigh school diploma or equivalent requiredValid New York State Teacher Assistant Certification requiredCriminal background check (CBC) clearance requiredExperience working with children and special education population preferredAbility to communicate and work effectively and cooperatively requiredWarm calm demeanor required