Special Education Teacher Assistant - HHS (2024-2025 School Year)

POSITION SUMMARY:

Assist, tutor, and or support special education student/students with the requirements of regular/special education classes.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Possess high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalency certificate.  (College degree preferred.)
2. Has completed the Virginia General Assembly training requirements for paraprofessional who are assigned to work with a teacher who has primary oversight of students with Autism Disorder (ASD) or will complete such training within 60 days of employment (or transfer to this role) with Harrisonburg City Public Schools.
3. Experience working directly with individuals and families from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
4. Familiarity with equity and inclusion frameworks.  Respects the worth, dignity and individual differences of others.
5. Excellent interpersonal skills.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Assist the student with the requirements of the regular/special education classroom teachers and the goals defined in his/her I.E.P. (Individualized Educational Plan)
2. Inform the regular/special education teachers of any special information or problems about the individual student that relates to his/her academic/social success in their classes.  (Behavior checklist may be a part of documentation.)
3. Assist the teachers in the preparation of classroom materials that relate to the needs of this student.
4. Provide one-on-one academic tutoring/socially appropriate modeling with this student as necessary.
5. Attend classes with this student when needed.  (Assist with notes, review, behavior modification issues, etc. that will help this student academically and socially.)
6. Keep the regular/special education teachers continually informed on the student’s academic and behavioral progress.
7. Assume supervision duties as assigned.  Work with small groups of special education students as directed.
8. Prepare daily attendance/lunch counts and take to proper location.
9. Take students to/from classroom for any necessary medications.
10. Assist with specific medical/physical issues as directed by the teacher.
11. Willing to learn how to connect and use assistive technology
12. Takes all industry standard precautions to protect students, staff, equipment, materials, and facilities.
13. Maintains appropriate state licensure; assumes responsibility for and participates in staff development (professional growth) and training to keep materials, supplies, and skills up-to-date.
14. Follows appropriate safety procedures and properly maintains equipment.
15. Actively participates in and attends all required meetings.
16. Maintains confidentiality when appropriate.
17. Complies with and supports school division policies, regulations, procedures, and the HCPS Strategic Plan.
18. Effectively performs other duties as assigned by immediate supervisor or lead teacher.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Light work, lifting up to 25 pounds occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds frequently.  Regular travel throughout the school and effectively interact with students, staff, and community members.  Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; and subject to inside and outside environmental conditions. Occasional travel with students on field trips as necessary.  Attendance at evening and weekend student or staff activities, Parent Teacher Organization meetings, and other functions, as required.  Regular contact with staff members and parents/guardians is required.  Not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

EVALUATION:

Performance on this job will be evaluated in accordance with school board policy and administrative regulations on evaluation of classified personnel.