Teacher Assistant Substitutes 2023-2024 School Year

Teacher Assistants Substitutes

Reports To: Classroom Teacher/Building Principal

POSITION SUMMARY:

The position of paraprofessional assists teachers with instructional duties and helps to provide a safe learning environment for all students. Paraprofessionals work in a classroom setting with a small group of students or individual students.

This position requires a desire and ability to work with students across various domains which include assisting students to learn and apply academic skills, self-help skills, communication skills, mobility skills, socialization skills, self-regulatory skills, and positive behavioral interaction skills. This position may require the individual to work closely and collegially with a team of professionals and support professionals in a flexible and cooperative manner, putting the needs of the students first. This work involves the development of effective relationships with both the students and other adults working within the classroom.

This may require an unusual amount of patience, consistency, flexibility, tolerance and empathy on the part of the employee. This work may require the performance of various instructional and therapeutic duties that may be unique to the student and/or the classroom.

These duties, although specialized, can be learned on the job whereby job embedded professional development may be provided via an outside consultant as determined by the administration.

PLEASE NOTE: The positions available involve working with students who have social emotional learning needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.Adheres to the policies of the Portsmouth School Department
2.Promotes the attainment of the District's mission, vision, and strategic plan
3.Assists in small group and individual instructional activities in the classroom
4.Follows teacher direction with regard to assisting/supporting other students within the classroom/building
5.Assists with various data collection procedures
6.Provides transitional support to students
7.Demonstrates knowledge of specific disabilities that are part of the IDEA
8.Assists in incorporating differential reinforcement in appropriate alternative responses into behavior program/plan.
9.Utilizes prompts and redirection strategies (i.e.: following routines, utilization of picture schedules and maintaining overall consistency in regard to responses/reactions to students).
10 Attends to personal needs of children (dressing, washing, feeding, changing diapers)
11. Demonstrates proficiency in essential computer and technology applications as required
12. Prioritizes the needs and requests of students and teachers within the school setting and responds in a professional and efficient manner.
13. Supports student social emotional learning, able to implement behavior intervention plans developed by the team, and track data necessary for the implementation
14. Performs responsibilities unique to teacher assistants who work with students who have developmental, cognitive, learning, physical and/or social-emotional disabilities.
15. Assists with the supervision of students during emergency drills, assemblies, play periods, field trips, and other activities, as needed.
16. Exhibits interpersonal skills of a collegial partner with other professionals in order to help create and maintain a positive learning environment.
17. Other duties as assigned

Additional Requirements:

High School Diploma or general equivalency diploma

Completion of a Teacher Assistant Pre-Employment Training Program approved by the RI Department of Education (RIDE) OR proof of registration in such course. Exceptions to this particular qualification are those with a TA certification from another state or those with Associates Degree or Bachelor's Degree AND who have completed coursework or other training consistent with the teacher assistant program standards.

Meet one of the following requirements:
Successfully pass the ParaPro Assessment OR
Complete at least 2 years of study at an institution of higher education OR
Obtain an Associate's Degree or higher

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

1.Communicate and detect information at levels to be able to make presentations and exchange information in person and on the telephone
2.Express oneself so others will be able to clearly understand
3.Constantly operate a computer keyboard and manipulate paper
4.Detect, determine, perceive and identify documentation and reports, and to observe students
5.Able to meet multiple demands from several people and meet deadlines with severe time constraints
6.Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time, in both indoor and outdoor environments, and regularly move and traverse in order to maintain a safe learning environment
7.Stamina to work irregular hours to include a full day
8.Work at a desk, conference table, small student classroom table, or in meetings in various configurations
9.Position self to be able to retrieve items overhead, above the shoulders, and horizontally
10. Move and transport moderately heavy objects