Teacher Assistant - Special Education​/Self-Contained K - 1st Grade

Teacher Assistant – Special Education/Self‑Contained K – 1st Grade

Spartanburg School District Seven – The Cleveland Academy of Leadership – Spartanburg, South Carolina

This position is responsible for specialized work by assisting special education teachers in instructing and directing the activities of students in assigned special education settings and classes to provide a well‑organized, smoothly functioning classroom environment. It also assists school administrators and staff with various administrative and clerical functions as requested. The assistant works under occasional supervision and reports to the special education teacher.

• The specific role of the teaching assistant varies by assignment and program placement.
• Federal, state and special program requirements supersede district guidelines. The assistant may be asked to perform the tasks identified below in a special‑education classroom, a general‑education classroom, an elective or arts class, or other specific locations.
• Assists students with exercises and class activities; concentrates efforts with small groups of students and individuals as necessary.
• Maintains a clean and orderly classroom; assists in cleaning and storing materials after activities; provides coverage as necessary.
• Reinforces all knowledge and skills taught by the special education teacher.
• Models proper behavior and play.
• Assists teachers by recording daily attendance, grading assignments, analyzing test scores, substituting as needed, setting up special projects, escorting children to other areas of the school, monitoring student behavior, packing/unpacking student communication folders, and running errands.
• Collects and receives monies for monthly activity fees, school fees, school pictures, field trips, meal fees, etc.
• Distributes textbooks, technology devices, and other classroom materials; maintains inventory and assists students/teachers with troubleshooting computer equipment and software. Submits help‑desk tickets as necessary and may assist with invoicing for lost or damaged equipment.
• Supervises and assists students when unloading/loading buses, in the halls, on field trips, during testing, lunch, and on school grounds.
• Supervises students throughout the school day including bathroom breaks by physically assisting them in daily living skills and personal care, breakfast and lunch, recess, before and after school, and between classes to ensure constant supervision.
• Serves as a bus aide before and after school.
• Prepares daily snacks for students.
• Assists individual children with special needs or those requiring special attention.
• Accompanies students to other classes, activities, and field trips and assists them in these settings.
• Coordinates and/or participates in special programs or projects as assigned.
• Attends staff meetings as required; participates in in‑service training programs.
• Receives and responds to inquiries and requests for assistance.
• Operates a variety of equipment such as a computer, printer, copier, calculator, telephone, audio‑visual equipment, laminating machine, binding machine, waxing machine, etc.; uses clerical supplies, arts and crafts supplies, instructional supplies and materials.
• Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals such as the classroom teacher, other teachers, principals, district staff, students, parents, volunteers, and the public.
• Attends training, seminars and workshops to maintain and enhance job knowledge and skills.
• Participates in staff development as directed by the principal, special education teacher or district personnel.

• Performs routine office tasks such as preparing records and reports, copying and filing documents, answering the telephone, sending and receiving faxes, entering and retrieving computer data, ordering office supplies, etc.
• Performs related duties as required.

At least two years of study or 60 semester hours at an accredited institution of higher education; or an associate’s degree (or higher); or an approved state or local assessment confirming the paraprofessional’s knowledge and ability to assist in…