STOKES COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: TEACHER ASSISTANT – EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN SERVICES

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

Under general supervision, performs a variety of technical and clerical tasks in assisting a

teacher of students with disabilities. The employee may perform a wide range of tasks in order

to support the efforts of the supervising teacher, meet the needs of all students, and ensure the

provision of quality instruction for all students. Employee provides individual assistance with

academics and behavioral problems and may lead small group activities as directed. Employee

assists the supervising teacher with general housekeeping and clerical duties. Reports to a

Principal and/or supervising teacher.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Assists supervising teacher with executing instruction and evaluating its effectiveness.

Constantly monitors the safety and well-being of students; monitors student attitudes and

encourages self-esteem; assists students with becoming increasingly independent.

Monitors student behavior and helps maintain discipline in the classroom; records time out and

in-class suspension; assists with crisis prevention; assists with de-escalation techniques with

students as needed.

Assists students with learning; reinforces and clarifies instructions; may conduct short sessions

on improving study skills; creates and modifies materials to match student abilities; modifies

tests for students; provides individual assistance as needed.

Maintains standardized records as well as daily/weekly documentation concerning the progress

of students.

Performs general housekeeping duties necessary to maintain an orderly classroom; performs

repair and maintenance tasks related to school equipment.

Performs various clerical duties as needed, maintains records of student progress; develops

and files incident reports; grades student papers and scores tests; checks daily attendance;

makes copies; develops classroom display and instructional materials; maintains and operates

audiovisual equipment; orders supplies; maintains class files, etc.

Feeds students, when necessary; toilets students (including diapering), if needed; and assists

with any other tasks that students are unable to perform for themselves as directed by the

supervising teacher and school administration.

Maintains student confidentiality.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Participates in staff development workshops as directed by Exceptional Children Services.

Performs other related work as required.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS (Specific to Job Assignments)

Separate Level Classes:

Assists with the delivery of special services for students with disabilities served in separate level

classes; assists with daily living skills; provides individual academic instruction; works to keep

students on task during group instruction.

Provides personal care assistance to the student as needed.

Accompanies students to and from the bus; guides students to their classrooms.

Pre-Kindergarten Classes:

Assists teacher with setting up the room for morning activities; greets students; assists students

with the placement of belongings; may supervise morning activities.

Supplements the activities of the lead teacher; assist students with activities initiated by the

teacher; reinforces learning in small groups; provides one on one individual assistance;

supervises Centers; participates in activities for children with special needs; assists students

with independent projects; listen to students; reads stories.

Constantly monitors the behavior of students and employs strategies as necessary to protect

students from injury; rewards good behavior; responds to inappropriate behavior as instructed

by the teacher; supervises playtime and situations where the classroom teacher is out of the

room.

Prepares daily snacks; accompanies students at recess.

May work with special programs in the school, accompany classes on field trips, assist with

physical education class, assist with the instruction of emergency procedures, perform lunch,

bus, hall duty, etc.

Gives approved medications; assists sick or hurt children; contacts parents, if necessary as

directed by the supervising teacher.

Prepares letters for parents, informing them of classroom activities as directed by the

supervising teacher.

Must meet North Carolina PreK Teacher Assistant Requirements:

10A NCAC 09 .3013 NC PRE-K TEACHER ASSISTANT EDUCATION AND

CREDENTIALS

(a) All teacher assistants shall have a high school diploma or its equivalent and shall either:

(1) hold a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential; or

(2) hold or be working toward an Associate Degree or higher in

birth-through[1]kindergarten, child development, early childhood education, or an early

childhood education-related field. Teacher assistants working toward the Associate

Degree shall make progress by completing a minimum of six semester hours per year.

(b) All teacher assistants shall complete a minimum of 15 hours of annual in-service

professional development. A combination of college coursework, Continuing Education Units

(CEUs), or clock hours may be used to complete the requirements of this Rule.

(c) The site-level administrator shall document the progress of any teacher assistants who are

working toward the required education. This documentation must be maintained in the

individual's staff record and available for review by the Division.

History Note: Authority G.S. 110-85; 110-88; S.L. 2011-145, s. 10.7(a);

Eff. November 1, 2012;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2017;

Amended Eff. April 1, 2022.

Visually Impaired Classes:

Accompanies one or more blind students throughout the school day, providing necessary

assistance and ensuring safety.

Obtains Braille books and materials for students, and ensures that they have the materials

needed for each class.

Reads information on the board to students; describes activities going on in the classroom or at

assemblies.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Requirements for Teacher Assistant Position:

*Must have an Associate or Bachelor's Degree in any field of study or

*Must have at least 48 semester hours of college-level education or

*Must have completed the WorkKeys test from a community college and have 96 contact hours

in reading, writing, and math strategies.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

If assigned as an assistant working with Emotionally Disabled students, the employee is

required to become initially certified in a Crisis Intervention Program (specific program to be

determined by SCS Exceptional Children’s Services) and maintain that certification through the

proper renewal process (adhering to all timelines).

Teacher Assistants must participate in staff development activities as directed by Exceptional

Children Services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED

TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Physical Requirements: Must be able to use a variety of equipment and classroom tools such

as computers, copiers, calculators, pencils, scissors, and equipment for children with special

needs, etc. Must be able to exert a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift,

carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Frequent sitting, stooping, bending, lifting, pushing,

and pulling.

Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable,

functional, structural, or composite characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious

standards) of data, people, or things.

Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or

exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments, and/or directions from

superiors.

Language Ability: Requires the ability to read a variety of correspondence, reports, handbooks,

forms, lists, etc. Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, simple reports, forms,

instructional materials, etc., using a prescribed format.

Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply rational systems to solve practical problems and deal

with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to

interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to

follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in

standard English.

Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract,

and to utilize decimals and percentages.

Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and

shape.

Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately

in using office equipment.

Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of office machines, etc. Must have

minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination: Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and

receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with

persons acting under stress.

Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and hear: (Talking: expressing or

exchanging ideas by means of spoken words. Hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

Must be able to communicate via the telephone.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

General knowledge of activities performed by the lead teacher.

General knowledge of the daily routines of the classroom.

General knowledge of student handbook rules.

General knowledge of procedures to follow in the event of an emergency.

General knowledge of methods of adapting instruction, equipment, and tools for children with

special needs.

General knowledge of the principles of organization and administration.

Some knowledge of the curriculum for the grade.

Ability to constantly monitor the safety and well-being of students, particularly when the student

is participating in an inclusive activity.

Ability to motivate students.

Ability to maintain a clean and orderly environment.

Ability to perform general clerical duties.

Ability to maintain order and discipline in the classroom.

Ability to operate common office machines.

Ability to maintain basic files and records.

Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work

assignments.

DISCLAIMER

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of

work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be

interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications

required of employees to this job.