TA - ECSE - Cherokee Heights Community School

General Information

Cherokee Heights Community School is looking to hire a full-time Teaching Assistant 2 for the Early Childhood Special Education Classroom.

• An AA, AS, AAS (or higher) degree, OR
• Two years of post‑secondary coursework (60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits) from an accredited institution of higher education applicable toward a bachelor’s degree, OR
• Passing score on the Para Pro or Para educator Assessment and either a high school diploma or a GED certificate.

• Perform duties in various environmental conditions.
• May be assigned to teaching assistants as needed to support student academics.

• Assist in implementing student Individualized Educational Plans (IEP), 504 Plans, Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP), and sensory plans.
• Support inclusion of students with disabilities in general education classrooms and environments.
• Record data on student IEP objectives and BIPs for monitoring and adjustment.
• Assist students in completing functional skills such as feeding, dressing, toileting, and other self‑help activities.
• Maintain toileting area and equipment.
• Set up meal area and equipment.
• Assist teachers in handling individual students with communication system therapy, discipline across the school day, and in all environments.
• Be mobile and move around classrooms and the school to anticipate and meet student needs.
• Complete third‑party billing daily.
• Provide follow‑up instruction on positive behavioral interventions and implement de‑escalation strategies.
• Be trained in Non‑violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) and use NVCI techniques when needed to ensure safety.
• Assist in supporting students on field trips.

• Physically able to lift more than 40 pounds when applicable.
• Able to sit, walk, climb, crouch, kneel, push, talk, and hear.
• TA2s are required to be trained in the Special Education Orientation.
• Must be trained and maintain Non‑violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI), bus safety training, and CPR as required.
• All teaching assistants may require bus duty, including:
  • Helping students with disabilities enter bus; locking wheelchairs in place; fastening seatbelts and/or shoulder harnesses.
  • Keeping order on the bus.
  • Maintaining comfort and hygiene on the bus.
  • Assisting students in exiting the bus.
  • Bringing students into the school building.
  • Taking students to the proper classroom.
  • Escorting students from the bus safely to the curb.
  • Ensuring behavior intervention plans for the bus are implemented.
• The following requirements must be completed within 30 days of being assigned to ride the bus:

• Basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills.
• Basic typing skills (may be required for some positions).
• Ability to develop good relationships with students and staff.
• Ability to be sensitive to the needs of others.
• Ability to relate to students with warmth, friendliness, and understanding.
• Lifting may be required for some teaching assistant positions.
• Must be on time every day.

This is a 10‑month position working 35 hours per week.

Pay range: $21.63 – $26.28 per hour for TA2.

Maximum hiring step:
Step Four (4).

Benefits become available after 30 days of employment and include medical insurance, life insurance, sick leave, pension plan, tax‑free retirement account, flexible spending account, and, for some employee groups, vacation, dental insurance, and disability insurance.

Transcript: unofficial transcripts are accepted at hire; official transcripts required within 30 days of start date.

Veteran’s preference: eligible veterans applying must submit a legible copy of DD214 with the application.

Criminal background investigation and reference checks will be conducted as conditions of hire.

Saint Paul Public Schools is an equal‑opportunity employer and supports an inclusive workplace.

SPPS is committed to an equitable workforce where all employees represent this commitment through equitable practices.