SPED Unit Teacher Assistant (Grades: 6-8)

Dallas Independent School District; Dallas, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Dallas Independent School District is seeking a SPED Unit Teacher Assistant for grades 6-8 to support instructional delivery and student care. You will assist in preparing materials, supervising students, and helping with behavior management under teacher guidance.

The role requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus a paraprofessional certificate or equivalent training. Work is campus-based with regular attendance required.

Qualifications

• Accredited high school diploma or equivalent required.
• Paraprofessional certificate from State Board of Certification.
• One of: associate degree, 48 college credits, or pass an academic assessment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of child growth and behavior.
• Ability to work with diverse groups; strong organizational skills.
• Willingness to follow instructions and take initiative.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience supporting students with disabilities preferred.
• Flexible and committed to ongoing professional learning.

Responsibilities

• Help prepare instructional materials and classroom displays.
• Maintain a neat, orderly classroom and prepare for student needs.
• Assist with inventory and care of equipment.
• Support teachers with administrative records and required reports.
• Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers.
• Assist students with disabilities including transfers and personal care as needed.
• Help supervise students during lunch, bus, and playground duty.
• Assist with the classroom curriculum and behavior management.
• Maintain confidentiality and participate in staff trainings.

Skills

Child development

Diversity & inclusion

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Instructional support

Disability support

Initiative

Organization

Adaptability

Education

HS diploma or equivalent

Associate degree / 48 credits / assessment

Paraprofessional certificate

Job description

Job Description - SPED Unit Teacher Assistant (Grades: 6-8) (RTP20260921-006)

Job Description

Description

• Help teacher prepare instructional materials and classroom displays
• Help maintain a neat and orderly classroom and prepare classroom according to student needs
• Help with inventory, care and maintenance of equipment
• Help teacher keep administrative records and prepare required reports
• Provide orientation and assistance to substitutes teachers
• Assist students with physical disabilities according to their needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting or positioning
• Assist students with physical needs and personal care, including feeding, bathroom needs and personal hygiene
• Assist with classroom curriculum
• Help manage behavior of students which includes intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous student behavior as needed
• Assume responsibility for learning and adapting to each student's special medical, physical, communicative and emotional needs
• Work with individual students or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by teacher
• Help supervise students throughout the school day, inside and outside the classroom which includes lunchroom, bus and playground duty
• Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of individual students
• Maintain confidentiality
• Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings and special events as assigned
• Perform all other tasks and duties as assigned
• Regular and punctual attendance at the worksite is required for this position

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Travel throughout the district is integral to this job. A remote working environment /alternate work arrangement is not an option for campus-based employees/campus-based positions because regular and punctual attendance at the worksite and performing all duties at the worksite are essential job duties for all campus-based personnel.

Qualifications

• Accredited Senior High School Diploma or equivalent (U.S.A. equivalency), plus one of the following: Associate degree, 48 college credit hours, pass an academic assessment
• Paraprofessional certificate required from State Board of Certification
• Successful completion of a specific training program for teacher assistants or six months of knowledge and skills acquired through work experience preferred
• Demonstrated general knowledge of child growth/development and behavior characteristics
• Demonstrated ability to work with people from diverse ethnic groups
• Demonstrated organizational and interpersonal skills required to meet the goals of the position
• Demonstrated initiative and a willingness to follow verbal and written instructions
• Demonstrated effective communication skills both in oral and written form
• Demonstrated ability to work with children with disabilities
• Demonstrated flexibility to cope with the challenges of a rapidly changing world
• Demonstrated willingness to remain current with the latest developments in the profession