Exceptional Children Teacher Assistant: School Year 2026-27

Starting Date: Aug 12, 2026

Teacher Assistant – Exceptional Children

Wilkes County Schools provides a robust variety of state and local benefit offerings, including health insurance, annual leave, sick leave, holiday pay, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, state pension plan, and other ancillary benefits. Benefit eligibility is determined by job status and percentage of employment. A local salary supplement of 5% is also offered.

Full-Time

Under general supervision, performs a variety of technical and clerical tasks assisting a teacher of students with disabilities. The role supports the teacher’s efforts, meets the needs of all students, and helps ensure the provision of quality instruction. Responsibilities include individual assistance with academics, functional skills, behavior, and leading small group activities, as well as general housekeeping and clerical duties.

• Assist the teacher with executing instruction and evaluating its effectiveness.
• Interact with students in an age‑appropriate manner that demonstrates an understanding of each student’s individual needs, abilities, and disabilities.
• Maintain confidentiality of all student information.
• Constantly monitor the safety and well‑being of students, encourage self‑esteem, and assist students in becoming increasingly independent.
• Monitor student behavior and help maintain discipline in the classroom; assist with crisis prevention and de‑escalation techniques as needed.
• Assist students with learning; reinforce and clarify instructions; conduct short sessions on improving specific skills; create and modify materials to match student abilities; modify tests; provide individualized assistance as needed.
• Use assistive technology equipment and augmentative communication devices to aid students in school‑related activities.
• Carry out all physical care routines for students as indicated on their Individual Education Plan (IEPs) and/or Health Plans, including personal hygiene, feeding needs, and medication administration.
• Assist students with daily living skills such as toileting, feeding, and diaper changes.
• Maintain standardized records and documentation concerning student progress.
• Perform general housekeeping duties to maintain an orderly classroom; carry out repair and maintenance tasks related to school equipment.
• Carry out clerical duties as needed, maintain records of student progress, develop and file incident reports, grade papers and score tests, check daily attendance, make copies, develop classroom displays and instructional materials, maintain audiovisual equipment, order supplies, and maintain class files.
• Participate in staff development as directed.
• Substitute bus driver as needed for teacher assistants hired on or after 9/1/18.
• Perform other related work as required.

• Hold one of the following qualifications:
  • A 2‑year degree.
  • At least 48 semester hours of college coursework.
  • Work Keys assessments in reading, writing, and math with a bronze passing level score (level
    3).
• For teacher assistants hired on or after 9/1/18, hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements, or be willing and eligible to obtain this license at the next training opportunity.

• Use a variety of equipment and classroom tools such as computers, copiers, and special‑needs equipment.
• Exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally; or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects.
• Apply rational systems to solve practical problems and handle concrete variables with limited standardization.
• Interpret instructions in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.
• Record and deliver information, explain procedures, and follow oral and written instructions.
• Communicate effectively and efficiently in Standard English.
• Deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
• Adapt to performing under stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress.

• General knowledge of activities performed by a teacher.
• General knowledge of daily classroom routines.
• Ge…