Teacher Assistant

Title: Teacher Assistant

State Role Title: Teacher Assistant

Hiring Range: $29,512 - $38,662

Pay Band: 3

Agency: VA School for the Deaf & Blind

Location: VA School for Deaf & Blind

Agency Website: http://www.vsdb.k12.va.us

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind (VSDB) is seeking a Teacher Assistant to provide instructional assistance and program support for classroom teachers and residential staff serving children with deafness, blindness, and/or sensory impaired multiple disabilities.

The Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind (VSDB) is located in the historic, vibrant city of Staunton, Virginia. VSDB provides superior education for students who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/vision impaired, deafblind, and deaf or blind with other disabilities.

VSDB offers PreK-12 education with both residential and day student options.

VSDB believes that disabilities are challenges not barriers and supports each student in their goal to be independent and to reach their highest academic potential!

VSDB prepares students for life!

Why come to VSDB?

Summers off

Supportive and positive team setting

Great comprehensive benefit package including:

Ample paid time off including more than 12 paid holidays

Low-cost medical, dental and vision insurance

This is a 10-month position with an alternating weekly schedule as follows:

Week one: 6:30am-3:30pm Monday-Thursday and 6:30am-12:30pm on Friday

Week two: 7:30am-3:30pm Monday-Thursday and 7:30am-6:30pm on Friday

This position includes assisting in residential halls in the mornings during week one, and chaperoning students on buses transporting them home on Fridays during week two. Both duties are required.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide instructional assistance and program support for assigned teachers not limited to academics, functional living skills, social skills, and communication skills.

• Assist in the development of activities and experiences to complement instructional program and Individualized Education Program goals.

• Provide student supervision and support in the residential program during morning hours and in home-going vehicles.

• Manage behavior problems in accordance with students' behavior management plans and VSDB policies.

• Substitute for classroom teachers by implementing lesson plans, supervising students, and managing behaviors.

• Conducts teaching tasks and data collection as assigned and planned by teaching staff.

• Working 1:1 or with small groups of students with significant cognitive and/or physical disabilities.

• Provide assistance with personal hygiene and toileting for students with special needs, as appropriate and/or required, based on assignment.

Minimum Qualifications

• A high school diploma or GED and successful completion of the ParaPro Assessment offered through Educational Testing Services within six months of hire OR an Associate Degree (or higher)

• Paraprofessional certification for working with children with Autism or must acquire within 60 days of hire

• Current CPR and First Aid certification is required or must be obtained in accordance with school policy

• Valid Virginia Driver's License with driving record that reflects a sense of responsibility for highway and passenger safety

• Ability to implement lesson plans and activities for students with sensory impairment

• Ability to provide instructional, personal care, and behavior management support to children with sensory impairment, moderate to severe intellectual disability, and or high needs disabilities

• Skill in behavior management and/or willingness to attend training

• Ability to assist with the implementation of the Virginia Standards of Learning and the Aligned Standards of Learning

• Ability to interact with students in a patient, positive, and sensitive manner to provide for their direct care and development

• Ability to work independently and follow school/agency policies and procedures

• Proficiency level of "Advanced" in American Sign Language or willingness to acquire the specified skill within three years (dependent upon job duties)

• Proficiency in Grade 2 Braille or willingness to acquire within three years (dependent upon job duties)

• Ability to monitor students during transportation to and/or from school and drive state vehicles including a ten-passenger van in order to transport students to and from the school campus

• Ability to assist with personal care tasks in the residential hall including but not limited to waking students, assisting with personal hygiene, serving meals/snacks, and ensuring dress code adherence

Additional Considerations

• Experience working with children and/or ability to provide guidance to children and maintain a safe environment for children is preferred

• Experience working with children who have disabilities is preferred

• Experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant or in Human Services preferred

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift children and transfer them from wheelchairs, assist with their personal hygiene needs (including changing diapers/soiled clothing), ability to bend, squat, move rapidly, etc. in order to interact with the children appropriately

Note: A criminal history and driving record check will be required for final candidates.

Applications must be completed online at https://virginiajobs.peopleadmin.com. VSDB is a tobacco free facility. For more information call (540) 332-9069 or visit our website at www.vsdb.k12.va.us.

Contact Information

Name: Jody Beelendorf

Phone: 540-332-9069

Email: jody.beelendorf@vsdbs.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.