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 Kindergarten Teacher Assistant works under the guidance and alongside the classroom teacher and assists 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 teacher 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 in early child development, special education, or 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 principles, 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
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities (Not Limited To):
Executes instructional activities with individual students or small groups of students following teacher direction and demonstration
Provides assistance to students during special classes (art, music, etc.), as needed
Assists general education and special education students
Assists with and implements positive behavior support plans designed by teacher and/or other school personnel
Assists and monitors student use of instructional and other equipment
Serves as a source of information and help to any substitute teacher assigned in the absence of the regular teacher
Maintains the same high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students as is expected of the classroom teachers
Assists students leaving and entering transportation vehicles, accompanies students to and from classrooms
Assists with supervision of students during emergency drills
Assists students with activities of daily living such as eating, grooming, bathing, and hygiene related to toileting
.Observes and intervenes to redirect inappropriate behavior
Assists, monitors, and guides the student to focus on learning, participate in activities, and complete tasks
Models conversation, manners, clean-up activities, listening, and everyday interactions for the purpose of demonstrating appropriate pro-social skills in a culturally responsive manner
Attends meetings and in-service presentations as assigned for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to job functions
May be expected to provide substitute educator services
.May be expected to attend trainings related to position
Consistent and on-time attendance is required or supervision and instruction of the students
Responsible for implementing “other job related duties” as needed
Work Environment & Physical Requirements:
Work Environment
.Majority of work is performed in a school/classroom environment. The noise level in the environment is usually moderate.
Physical Requirements:
.While performing the duties of this job, the teacher assistant is frequently required to walk, stand, sit, talk, and hear. The teacher assistant is regularly required to bend, stoop, crouch and/or kneel. The teacher assistant is occasionally required to lift and/or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds. Must be able to assist with student behavioral needs as necessary, including responding to students who are physically unsafe, using physical restraints as part of a de-escalation process, and moving furniture in response to a crisis situation.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.