Teaching Assistant: Direct Care TA Therapeutic Program Middle School

Job Description: In compliance with state and federal laws, Newton Public Schools is committed to equity, anti-racism and a nondiscrimination policy for students, employees and prospective applicants. All educational and employment determinations are based on an individual’s qualifications and achievements without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, ancestry, homelessness, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by state and/or federal statute.

The classroom teaching assistant supports the classroom teacher in all aspects of the school day. The classroom teaching assistant provides a variety of generalized support services to students and schools. Under the guidance and alongside the classroom teacher the assistant helps in the instruction and supervision of students, assisting the teacher in achieving educational objectives by working with individual students or small groups, assisting students by modeling the necessary skills to perform academic, social, and behavioral tasks, modeling appropriate behaviors and interactions with students and staff.

The classroom teaching assistant supports the teacher in providing a well-organized, smoothly functioning class environment that is culturally proficient and responsive to each student’s diverse needs.

Required Qualifications:

• High School diploma and college level courses (60 credits preferred) in early child development, elementary education, or special education
• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred
• Teaching certificate preferred
• Instructional experience in elementary public school setting preferred

Desired

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge and application of effective teacher assistant principals, practices and trends
• Ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with supervising teacher, students, staff, families and school community
• Ability to perform essential job duties at a high level
• Ability to work on multiple tasks and prioritize appropriately
• Ability to recognize areas of concern relating to student issues and propose or recommend appropriate solutions to problems
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Ability to use online platforms and support remote/distance learning experiences

• Assist the classroom teacher in all aspects of the school day; support instruction by working with students individually and in small groups
• Prepare instructional materials
• Assist in classroom set up and clean up
• Manage individual and classroom climate and social-emotional needs
• Supervise students at recess, lunch, snack and mask breaks or other duties
• Support students with self-care skills (toileting, dressing, etc.) as needed
• Consistent and on-time attendance is required for supervision and instruction of the students
• Execute instructional activities with individual students or small groups following teacher direction and demonstration
• Provide assistance to students during special classes (art, music, etc.), as needed
• Assist general education and special education students
• Assist with and implement positive behavior support plans designed by teacher and/or other school personnel
• Assist and monitor student use of instructional and other equipment
• Serve as a source of information and help to any substitute teacher assigned in the absence of the regular teacher
• Maintain the same high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students as is expected of the classroom teachers
• Assist students leaving and entering transportation vehicles, accompany students to and from classrooms
• Assist with supervision of students during emergency drills
• Observe and intervene to redirect inappropriate behavior
• Assist, monitor, and guide the student to focus on learning, participate in activities, and complete tasks
• Model conversation, manners, clean-up activities, listening, and everyday interactions for the purpose of demonstrating appropriate pro-social skills in a culturally responsive manner
• Attend meetings and in-service presentations as assigned for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying…