Teacher Aide

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. May be required to attend evening meetings. Prepare classroom materials as requested by teacher. Classroom assignment is subject to change based on program needs.

Responsibilities

• Under teacher supervision, assist with students.
• Attend staff and parent 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.
• Participate in maintaining an attractive, safe and hygienic classroom environment.
• Under direction of teacher, maintain an appropriate educational environment with respect to health and safety.
• Regularly clean and disinfect countertops, tables and toys.
• Provide adequate bus, hallway and playground supervision.
• Help with preparation of snack and clean-up activities.
• Perform related duties, as required.
• Under direction of teacher, provide students with personal care and assistance in all activities of daily living.
• Facilitate appropriate communications and interactions between adults and peers.
• Attend team meetings as assigned.
• Carry out classroom specific and individual behaviour management program under supervision of teacher.

Professional Behaviour

• 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 2 years).
• Attend and participate in supervision and implement recommendations appropriately.
• Attend staff meetings with classroom teacher.

General Policies

• Adheres to general policies of the organization/regulators including:
• Code of Ethical Conduct.
• Emergency/disaster preparedness protocols.
• Departmental in-service education program requirements; may need to fulfill hours outside of agency hours.
• Fire/Safety prevention protocols.
• 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 and annual physical examination and Mantoux testing.

Other Related Duties

• Demonstrate understanding of the needs of students 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 the student in front of them.
• Is consistently courteous and considerate, in person and on the telephone, in interactions with students and others such as family, visitors, vendors, and other employees.
• Exhibit the “At Your Service” attitude, i.e., smiles, uses positive eye contact, friendly, open and approachable.
• Respond quickly to students and/or parent/guardian’s request, refers to appropriate member of the care team, if necessary, and informs supervisor of actions taken.
• Promote positive co-worker relationships, teamwork and cooperation.
• Work collaboratively and is respectful of others.
• Take individual responsibility for providing outstanding service quality.
• Refer parents/guardians/therapists to teacher regarding students educational programming.

Cultural Competencies

• Demonstrate the ability to communicate and effectively interact with people across cultures, ranges of disability, genders, ethnicity and races.
• Demonstrate the ability to recognize and manage personal behaviours to create an inclusive, equitable and welcoming environment.
• Demonstrate the ability to successfully deliver culturally responsive services to students and families.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency required.
• Criminal background check (CBC) clearance required.
• Within six (6) months of hire obtain NYS Teacher Assistant Certification required.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively and cooperatively required.
• Experience working with children and special education students preferred.
• Warm calm demeanor required.
• Physical aspects may include but are not limited to lifting and transferring of students.