Teaching Assistant in Johnstone

Position: Special Education Teaching Assistant

Reports to: Program Coordinator

Minimum Qualifications:

• College or University degree or 30 hours of college classes or Paraprofessional Letter of Approval (Highly Qualified)

Service Description:

Special education teaching assistants support instruction in all the Mid-Valley Programs in varied locations throughout the member district service area. Teaching assistants may perform many types of duties including instructing students under the supervision of the classroom teacher, supervising students in integrated settings, assisting students with personal care, accompanying students to community activities, and other types of supportive activities.

Performance Expectations:

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Instruction: Contributes to a positive instructional/learning environment for students by reinforcing appropriate student behaviour, promoting student interests and abilities. Assists the teacher(s) in the instruction and supervision of students, as requested. Monitors progress of students, as directed. Provides instructional activities and assistive technology to meet the students’ goals/objectives, to individuals, small groups or large groups of students, as directed. Implements the classroom management system for students in alignment with program expectations, as directed. Assists teachers in providing behavioural support on an individual, small group, and/or classroom basis including the implementation of behavioural interventions and gathering of data. Maintains records and reports regarding pupil progress in a timely manner, as directed. Assists students in developing age-appropriate social skills and behaviours relating to peers and adults.
• Interpersonal Relations/Communications: In conjunction with classroom teachers, maintains cooperative, positive working relationships with parents, Mid-Valley staff, and school district personnel, and community agencies. Maintains ongoing appropriate and timely written and oral communication, when necessary. Attends various school and program related meetings, when required. Maintains appropriate communication with certified staff assigned to the classroom or program.
• Training/Consultation: Works with general education staff to foster integration of special education students, when appropriate. Participates in professional development activities in order to maintain and improve professional competence, as reasonably requested.
• Other Professional Responsibilities: Participates in committees, when appropriate. Supervises activities such as class/student projects, recreational activities, extra-curricular activities, community trips, social-curricular activities, arrival/departure routines, lunches, or electives, in school buildings, on school grounds, on school transportation, or in hallways, if appropriate. Demonstrates knowledge of personal technology use (Word, email), instructional technology use, and assistive technology, if appropriate. Demonstrates problem-solving skills, flexibility, organisational skills, patience, creativity, and receptivity to change. Demonstrates ability to maintain favourable public relations. In conjunction with classroom teachers, responds as soon as possible to teacher or administrative inquiries via phone or email during regular work week. Demonstrates the ability to function as a member of an educational team. Maintains a high level of ethical behaviour, confidentiality and student-focus. Assists with physical restraint of students, when necessary. Assists students with personal care, when necessary. Maintains a positive working relationship with teacher and program administrators. Provides relevant clerical assistance, when appropriate. Demonstrates ethnic and cultural sensitivity and competence. Demonstrates a genuine interest in the student population of the cooperative. Performs related duties, as assigned.

Physical Work Requirements:

With appropriate accommodations and/or modifications, employees in this position must have the ability to:

• Sit for extended periods of time.
• Enter data into a computer, operate standard office equipment, telephone, and student technology.
• See and hear a computer screen and printed matter with or without visual aids.
• Hear and understand speech at normal levels and on the telephone.
• Speak so that others may understand at normal levels and on the telephone.
• Stand, walk, bend over, reach overhead, grasp, push, pull and move, lift and/or carry up to 25-50 pounds waist height.
• Physically manage students, if necessary. Participate in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention methods, if appropriate.
• Work in both indoor and outdoor environments, some of which may have air-conditioning.
• Work in environments where privacy is limited and noise levels vary.