Teacher Assistant

The Teacher Assistant (TA) provides supervision, guidance, and assistance to students served and supported by Trinity School. By helping to foster an environment that encourages students to learn and gain independence, the TA helps to facilitate their personal and priority goals. Supports and services areas provided in a dignified, respectful, and professional manner. Working as a member of a support team, the TA interacts with other team members to provide a cohesive and consistent program approach that results in the successful achievement of IEP goals and outcomes for children with developmental disabilities. The achievements of IEP outcomes are the indicator that measures a Teacher Assistant’s success as an employee of Trinity Services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Works closely with the classroom teacher to provide academic and behavior support to all the students.
2. Provides direct instruction to the students as indicated in each students’ Individualized Educational Plan (IEP)
3. Gathers information on the student by taking data on students’ performance of IEP goals.
4. Implements the students’ Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)
5. Gathers daily information on behavior as referenced on each students’ BIP.
6. Monitors student progress by updating the students’ program books and assessing mastery of IEP targets and/or benchmarks.
7. Provides personal support for students in their daily living and self-help needs such as eating, toileting and hygiene.
8. Prepares student materials as indicated on their IEP or as requested by the classroom teacher based on daily lesson plans which may include photocopying, cutting, and laminating.
9. Maintains the cleanliness and orderliness of the classroom as well as the common areas in the school which include the lunch room, playground, kitchen, break room and indoor gym.
10. Collaborates with the other school staff including other teacher assistants, SLP, OT, BCBA and the classroom teacher.
11. Follows safety protocols that are set forth in the school rules.
12. Participates in professional development as instructed by the school administrator throughout the year.
13. Performs such other duties as assigned by the teacher and school administrator.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Strong interpersonal skills
• Effective oral and communication skills
• Be of good health and character
• Willing to work with students with special needs
• Able to follow work schedules and procedures
• Willingness to learn new skills
• Able to use Microsoft Office and Google Drive

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Be able to lift over 40 pounds from floor to waist unassisted
• Be able to push and pull 75 pounds
• Be able to complete deep knee squats
• Remain in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods
• Operate motor vehicles
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard reach, stoop kneel to install computer equipment
• Physical activities that could be used include: driving, balancing, pulling, pushing, standing, climbing, grasping, stooping, crouching, crawling, kneeling, reaching, lifting, and repetitive motion.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Approved paraprofessional license or substitute license from the Illinois Board of Education
• One of the following: Associate’s degree or higher; 60 semester hours of coursework; High school diploma or GED and a score of 460 or higher on the ETS parapro; High school diploma or GED and the following scores on the ACT Work keys test: Applied Mathematics (with a score of 4), Reading for information/Workplace documents (with a score of 4), Writing/Business Writing (with a score of 3)
• Classroom experience and knowledge of various types of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices is highly preferred.
• At least 19 years of age.

Trinity Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, it is the purpose of this policy to effectuate these principles and mandates. Trinity Services, Inc. prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. Trinity Services, Inc. conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.