Special Education Teacher Assistants

Company: East Orange School District
Location: East Orange
Posted on: March 18, 2023

Job Description:

EAST ORANGE SCHOOL DISTRICT
East Orange, New Jersey

Teacher Assistant for Special Education
Position

REPORTS TO: Building administrator and certified classroom teacherJOB GOAL: Under the direct supervision of a certified staff member, to assist certifiedprofessional staff by working with groups of disabled students to providethem with physical help and emotional support as needed to gainoptimum benefit from the district's special education programRESPONSIBILITIES:1) Assists in taking care of the physical needs of the special education student, includingputting on and taking off outerwear, moving from room to room, student hygiene, andusing the lavatory as needed. Assists with wash-up and toilet routings includingdiapering when necessary2) Assists with individualized instruction and works with small groups of students under thesupervision of the certified staff member to reinforce material initially introduced by theteacher. Checks notebooks and supervises testing and make-up work as assigned bythe teacher. Assists the teacher in implementing the students' goals as set by the IEP.Serves as a resource person, if and when requested, to the Child Study Team conferringabout one of the students to whom assigned. Assists regular education teachers andspecial education teachers in devising special learning needs, interests and abilities.Assists the teacher in implementing behavioral management systems. Serves as a chiefresource of information and help to any substitute teacher assigned in the absence ofthe regular teacher. Implements changes to a student's program only in consultationwith the classroom teacher, Child Study Team, related services staff or administration3) Alerts the teacher to special needs of individual students4) Assists, where appropriate, in escorting students to arrival/departure areas, loading andunloading the special education student from transportation buses or vans5) Completes clerical duties as assigned by the classroom teacher, including collectingbehavioral data. Helps maintain individual records for each student. Refers parentrequests for information to the classroom teacher6) Assists teacher in planning of the weekly schedule of activities and provides input interms of student progress7) Assists students with various projects, crafts, simple tasks such as sharpening pencils orcarry lunch trays, and curriculum tasks. Guides independent study, enrichment work
and remedial work set up and assigned by the teacher. Helps students to masterequipment or instructional materials assigned by the teacher8) Assists the teacher in maintaining learning centers/stations and study areas9) Assists with the supervision of children during emergency drills, assemblies, field tripsand play periods. Assists in escorting students from one area to another. Assists inplayground supervision. Guides students in working and playing harmoniously withother children. Assists during eating periods. Fosters good eating habits and tablemanners in children.10) Engages children in conversation to encourage language development11) Establishes as fully as possible a supportive and sympathetic relationship with thestudent without fostering intense emotional involvement12) Aids physically disabled students, particularly those who rely upon appliances andprosthetics13) Maintains confidentiality in accordance with district policy and handbook. Handlessensitive and confidential information, documents, communications, incidents, etc., withdiscretion and in a conscientious manner14) Participates in staff meetings, professional development and training sessions asassigned15) Participates in restraining disruptive or dangerous physical behavior as requested orassigned16) Performs such duties as assigned by the building administrator17) Can be utilized as a classroom aide, one to one aide, or two to one aide; this jobdescription covers all of those roles18) Must be able to perform all of the essential functions of the job with reasonableaccommodations, if necessaryQUALIFICATIONS:1) Minimum of two (2) years of college or 60 college credits2) NJDOE Substitute Credential3) Demonstrated ability to assist with instructional activities and to communicate effectivelywith students, parents and school staff4) Knowledge of diverse needs of children with disabilities and appropriate specialeducation classroom practices5) Minimum experience as determined by the board6) Ability to work extended hours (as required by collective negotiations agreement)7) Required criminal history background check, drug screening, and eligibility to work in theUnited States8) Ability to read, write, communicate effectively, understand and follow verbal and writteninstructions9) All applicants must meet NJ residency requirements as per the "New Jersey First Act",N.J.S.A. 52:14-7 (L. 2011, Chapter 70)10) Alternatives to the above qualifications may be substituted as deemed appropriate bythe Board of Education
PHYSICAL ABILITIES AND WORKING CONDITIONS OF CONTINUED EMPLOYMENTThe Physical Abilities and Other Conditions of Continued Employment listed in this section arerepresentative but are not intended to provide an exhaustive list of Physical Abilities and OtherConditions of Continued Employment, which may be required of this position. The East OrangeSchool District encourages persons with disabilities who are interested in employment in thisclass and need reasonable accommodations to contact the Division of Labor Relations andEmployment Services.Vision: (which may be corrected) to read small print; view a computer screen forprolonged periodsHearing: (which may be corrected) to answer telephones and tolerate exposure to noisyconditionsSpeech: to be understood in face-to-face communications; to speak with a level of proficiencyand volume to be understood over a telephoneUpper Body Mobility: use hands and fingers to feel, grasp, and manipulate small objects;manipulate fingers, twist and bend at wrist and elbow; extend arm to reach outward and upward;use hands and arms to lift objects; turn, raise and lower headStrength: to lift, push, pull and/or carry objects, which weigh as much as 5 pounds on afrequent basisEnvironmental Requirements: encounter constant work interruptions; work cooperatively withothers; work independently; work indoorsMental Requirements: read, write, understand, interpret and apply information at a moderatelycomplex level essential for successful job performance; math skills at a high school proficiencylevel; judgment and the ability to process information quickly, learn quickly and follow verbalprocedures and standards; give verbal instruction; rank tasks in order of importance; copy,compare, compile, and coordinate information and recordsAPPLICATION PROCEDURE:Qualified applicants are invited to file applications and credentials via Applitrack at:https://www.applitrack.com/eosd/onlineapp/

SELECTION PROCEDURE:1) Review of credentials filed with the Superintendent of Schools2) An oral interview to determine an applicant's personal qualifications and aptitude for theposition, as required3) The appointment of a person to the position advertised is the responsibility of the Boardof Education and will be made in compliance with Board policies related to theappointment of professional staff
TERM OF EMPLOYMENT:Ten-month work yearSALARY RANGE:Based on the negotiated agreement governing the employment of Teacher AssistantsApproved by the East Orange Board of Education: March 23, 2021Rev. 3/1/2021

Keywords: East Orange School District, East Orange , Special Education Teacher Assistants, Education / Teaching , East Orange, New Jersey