Teacher Assistant / Special Education 24-25

School District Of Pickens County - Pickens, SC

Full-time - Entry Level

Pickens, SC

Educational Services

About the position

The Teacher Assistant for Special Education at the School District of Pickens County plays a crucial role in supporting students with special needs. This position involves working directly with the classroom teacher to assist in the implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and to facilitate a supportive learning environment for students with various disabilities. The Teacher Assistant will be responsible for providing direct support to students, ensuring their safety and well-being, and helping them achieve their educational goals. This role requires a compassionate and patient individual who can adapt to the unique needs of each student and work collaboratively with teachers and other staff members. In this position, the Teacher Assistant will assist in the supervision of students during various activities, including lunch, recess, and field trips. They will also help with personal care tasks such as feeding, toileting, and general hygiene, ensuring that students are comfortable and cared for throughout the school day. The Teacher Assistant will support the teacher in academic instruction by providing small group instruction and assisting students during seatwork. Maintaining confidentiality regarding student records and IEPs is essential, as is the ability to manage student behavior under the guidance of the teacher. The role may also involve physical demands, such as lifting and moving students when necessary, and assisting with transportation duties, including serving as a bus assistant. The Teacher Assistant will be expected to perform other duties as assigned by the teacher or school administration, contributing to a positive and effective learning environment for all students.

Responsibilities

• Assisting the teacher in the supervision of pupils with special needs at all times
• Assisting children with clothing, feeding, toileting, and/or general hygiene as necessary
• Supervising/monitoring students during lunch, assemblies, related arts, field trips, mainstream classes, recess, etc. as deemed appropriate by the teacher
• Assisting teacher with implementing the students' IEP goals and objectives
• Assisting teacher with academic instruction by supervising or providing small group instruction under supervision of teacher
• Assisting pupils as requested by teacher during seatwork
• Assisting with paperwork including organizing materials, copying, filing, etc.
• Maintaining confidentiality of students; especially regarding student IEP and record information
• Assisting with discipline procedures for student behavior under teacher supervision
• Assisting in maintaining individual records for each student
• Guiding students in developing positive relationships with peers and adults
• Serving as the main source of information and assistance to any substitute teacher assigned in the absence of the regular teacher
• Performing other duties as assigned by the classroom teacher or the Building Principal

Requirements

• A 2-year associate degree, or 60 semester hours of college course work, or taken and passed the ParaPro Assessment; or a 4-year degree
• Good character
• Ability to work with others
• Ability to accept individual differences among children
• Good physical and mental health
• CPR certification
• Ability to pass the Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) requirements and to utilize the procedures under the direction of the teacher
• Ability to handle unforeseen situations in accordance with policy
• Physically able to lift and move students when necessary
• Ability to assist students boarding and departing from school buses
• Ability to serve as a bus assistant for transportation to and from school and on activities
• Ability to obtain Commercial Driver's License (CDL) to drive a school bus, if necessary

Nice-to-haves

• CNA certification preferred