Teacher Assistant/Bus Driver

An employee in this class provides support to the teacher in the instruction of students. In some cases, E.C. assistants may work one-on-one with special needs students, in which cases such assistants may be required to possess additional skills and training in providing for the specific physical needs of such students. A wide variety of tasks are performed to support the teacher in the teaching-learning process for students. The work is performed under the supervision of the teacher and principal.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK - TEACHER ASSISTANT

• Provides academic assistance
• Gives group instruction as prescribed by the teacher.
• Provides individualized instruction.
• Demonstrates various instructional activities.
• Monitors work assigned by the teacher.
• Keeps students on task.
• Praises and reinforces achievement of students.
• Reports/records student progress/behavior to teacher.
• Assists in instructional preparation/support
• Serves as proctor during testing.
• Attends workshops.
• Checks and reports attendance.
• Enters data in health record.
• Files data according to regulatory requirements.
• Supervises students in the classroom and other locations.
• Creates and distributes awards for positive behavior.
• Promotes student self-esteem.
• Teaches citizenship, social skills and respect for others.
• Reconciles minor student conflicts.
• Participates in the development of discipline policy.
• Addresses misbehavior through approved methods.
• Reports discipline problems to the teacher.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK - BUS DRIVER

• Drives the school bus safely and professionally.
• Performs and properly completes daily pre-trip inspections.
• Complies with all traffic rules and regulations.
• Complies with discipline policies set forth in the School Code of Conduct for Transportation.
• Participates in on-site training.
• Demonstrates proficiency in handling and maneuvering school bus.
• Maintains safe and orderly environment on the bus.
• Supervises the safe loading and unloading of students.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Working knowledge of effective methods of dealing with children.
• Working knowledge of the core subjects at the grade level to which employment assignment is made.
• Some knowledge of the school organization and its community.
• Some knowledge of expected behaviour of children, that is, basic characteristics of ages and stages.
• Skill necessary to operate audiovisual equipment and common office machines.
• Skill to make learning aids which will strengthen lesson plans.
• Independently solve most minor problems.
• Follow minimally detailed written and oral instructions without constant supervision.
• Maintain confidentiality of student information.
• Considerable knowledge of safe and efficient practices and procedures used in the operation of a school bus.
• Considerable knowledge of traffic laws and school bus regulations.
• Considerable knowledge of safety regulations and standards for school buses.
• General knowledge of Transportation Department Operating Instructions.
• Physically inspect the bus according to Transportation Department Operating Instructions.
• Ability to maintain a mechanically sound bus at all times.
• Detect and report observable mechanical defects or failures on the school bus.
• Monitor and maintain discipline of students assigned to ride the school bus and provide written reports for all incidents of misconduct to the building principals.
• Maintain a safe and sanitary bus environment for students by cleaning the interior daily.
• Ability to complete required reports.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

• Read, interpret and apply documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals consistent with the duties of this position.
• Compose and write routine reports consistent with the duties of this position.
• Effectively communicate information and respond to questions from administrators, staff, parents and the general public consistent with the duties of this position as necessary.

REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists consistent with the duties of this position.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form consistent with the duties of this position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear.
• The employee frequently is required to walk and use fingers, tools, or controls.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand and reach with hands and arms.
• Specific visual abilities required by this job include close vision, colour vision, and depth perception.
• Occasionally the employee will lift up to 50 lbs. such as to lift files and paper.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
• The employee must be able to meet deadlines with severe time constraints and continuously interact with the public and staff.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• 2 or 4 year degree in any area / OR Completion of 96 Community College/University contact hours and an acceptable score on college placement tests in reading, writing and math.
• Must have no points on driving record and be able to pass the required physical exam, including drug testing.
• Must have or be able to successfully obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

This specification has been designated to represent the general nature and level of work found in positions in this class. As such, it is not intended to contain all of the duties and qualifications required of an employee in a single position. Consequently, it is not to be perceived as a position description or as identification of essential functions as required by ADA.

EVALUATION

Performance in this position will be evaluated regularly by the supervisor in accordance with Board Policy.