Teacher Assistant: Kindergarten

Teacher Assistant:
Kindergarten

Assists the instructional staff in implementing plans and programs related to the academic or a specialized area to which assigned; performs various non-instructional tasks in direct support of the teaching-learning process. Work involves working directly with students individually or in small groups to reinforce subjects initially introduced by the teacher; assisting teachers in planning, implementing, and evaluating instructional lessons and programs;

observing students and assessing their progress; participating in staff development activities; and the preparation of instructional materials. Work is planned and implemented under the direction of the principal and the professional staff.

Essential duties/responsibilities:

• Works directly with the students individually or in small groups to reinforce subjects initially introduced by the teacher.
• Assists teachers in planning, implementing, and evaluating instructional lessons, methods, strategies and materials to meet the individual needs of students.
• Organizes materials (prescriptions) for each group/student. Sets up learning stations, laboratory, and activity centers. Supervises students while working; assists students having difficulty.
• Leads and/or facilitates group discussions, sharing time, individual recitation or individual work.
• Prepares a variety of instructional materials to include posters, charts, transparencies, game boards/cards, and other related materials. Assists with bulletin boards, exhibits and displays.
• Observes and gathers assessment data on students. Discusses observations/progress of students with instructional staff.
• May supervise lunch duties, playground and bus duties as directed.
• Assists in the administration of tests/assessment instruments. Records data to record books/master charts/assessment forms.
• Performs a variety of clerical tasks including correcting work papers/tests, keeping daily attendance, maintaining appropriate student folders/records, and other related tasks as assigned.
• Works with teachers/students on special projects/lessons/assignments.
• Assists in storing, inventorying, and requisitioning of instructional materials, supplies, and equipment as directed.
• Aids in organization/housekeeping tasks for laboratory, learning stations, work areas, or other instructional settings.
• Attends and actively participates in staff development activities.
• Refer or accompany disruptive students to principal.
• Accompanies students on field trips.
• Assists in the development and implementation of daily lesson plans, as necessary.
• Performs other related duties as assigned within the same classification or lower.

Minimum qualifications:

• High School Diploma or Equivalency Certificate required.
• Other:
  To work in a Title I-funded school, 48 college credit hours or a passing score on a paraprofessional assessment issued by ETS or NES, required.

Experience:

• Previous training and/or experience in an educational/instructional environment preferred.

Knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics:

• Willingness to learn and implement instructional methods, strategies, and techniques to assist teachers in the education of students.
• Ability to exercise considerable patience, courtesy, tact, and good judgement in working with students, teachers, administrators, fellow employees and parents.
• Ability to employ a variety of teaching styles to respond to the needs of diverse learners.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work and communicate with diverse populations.
• Demonstrated proficiency with business technology applications (e.g. Video/Web Conferencing, Microsoft Office Suite
  -Word, Excel, Outlook, and/or PowerPoint preferred).

Physical demands/working conditions:

• Standing: under 1/3 of the time
• Walking: under 1/3 of the time
• Sitting: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• Keyboarding: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• Talking: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• Hearing: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• As required by the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Vision:

• No special vision requirements

Work environment:

• Office, school or similar indoor environment: over 2/3 of the time

Noise level:

• Moderate: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time

Weight & force:

• Lifting and carrying requirements:
  Up to 10 pounds: under 1/3 of the time

Travel requirements:

• N/A