Teacher Assistant Substitutes 2026-2027 school year

Portsmouth School Department; Portsmouth (RI); On-site; USD 21,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

Portsmouth School Department seeks Teacher Assistant Substitutes for the 2026-2027 school year. This paraprofessional role supports classroom teachers, works with small groups or individuals, and helps create a safe, engaging learning environment.

Applicants should have a high school diploma or GED, plus completion of RI TA training or equivalent, and meet one of the standard education requirements. The position involves supporting students with social-emotional learning needs.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED is required.
• Completion of a RI Department of Education TA training program or registration.
• Alternative: ParaPro pass OR 2 years of college OR an Associate's Degree or higher.

Responsibilities

• Assist in small group and individual instructional activities.
• Follow teacher direction to support other students in the classroom.
• Assist with data collection procedures.
• Provide transitional support to students.
• Assist with behavior plans and track data as needed.
• Supervise students during drills, field trips, and activities.
• Support students with social-emotional learning needs.

Skills

Patience

Flexibility

Empathy

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or GED

TA Pre-Employment Training Program

Associate's Degree or higher

Job description

Teacher Assistant Substitutes 2026-2027 school year

Portsmouth School Department Portsmouth School Department - Portsmouth, Rhode Island Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Rhode Island State DOE Consortium Job Board

Job Details

Job ID: 5894528

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Aug 20, 2026 12:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Teacher Assistants Substitutes

Reports To: Classroom Teacher/Building Principal

POSITION SUMMARY:

The position of paraprofessional assists teachers with instructional duties and helps to provide a safe learning environment for all students. Paraprofessionals work in a classroom setting with a small group of students or individual students. This position requires a desire and ability to work with students across various domains which include assisting students to learn and apply academic skills, self-help skills, communication skills, mobility skills, socialization skills, self-regulatory skills, and positive behavioral interaction skills. This position may require the individual to work closely and collegially with a team of professionals and support professionals in a flexible and cooperative manner, putting the needs of the students first. This work involves the development of effective relationships with both the students and other adults working within the classroom. This may require an unusual amount of patience, consistency, flexibility, tolerance and empathy on the part of the employee. This work may require the performance of various instructional and therapeutic duties that may be unique to the student and/or the classroom. These duties, although specialized, can be learned on the job wherein job embedded professional development may be provided via an outside consultant as determined by the administration.

PLEASE NOTE: The positions available involve working with students who have social emotional learning needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Adheres to the policies of the Portsmouth School Department
2. Promotes the attainment of the District's mission, vision, and strategic plan
3. Assists in small group and individual instructional activities in the classroom
4. Follows teacher direction with regard to assisting/supporting other students within the classroom/building
5. Assists with various data collection procedures
6. Provides transitional support to students
7. Demonstrates knowledge of specific disabilities that are part of the IDEA
8. Assists in incorporating differential reinforcement in appropriate alternative responses into behavior program/plan.
9. Utilizes prompts and redirection strategies (i.e.: following routines, utilization of picture schedules and maintaining overall consistency in regard to responses/reactions to students).
10. Attends to personal needs of children (dressing, washing, feeding, changing diapers)
11. Demonstrates proficiency in essential computer and technology applications as required
12. Prioritizes the needs and requests of students and teachers within the school setting and responds in a professional and efficient manner.
13. Supports student social emotional learning, able to implement behavior intervention plans developed by the team, and track data necessary for the implementation
14. Performs responsibilities unique to teacher assistants who work with students who have developmental, cognitive, learning, physical and/or social-emotional disabilities.
15. Assists with the supervision of students during emergency drills, assemblies, play periods, field trips, and other activities, as needed.
16. Exhibits interpersonal skills of a collegial partner with other professionals in order to help create and maintain a positive learning environment.
17. Other duties as assigned

Additional Requirements:

High School Diploma or general equivalency diploma

Completion of a Teacher Assistant Pre-Employment Training Program approved by the RI Department of Education (RIDE) OR proof of registration in such course. Exceptions to this particular qualification are those with a TA certification from another state or those with Associates Degree or Bachelor's Degree AND who have completed coursework or other training consistent with the teacher assistant program standards.

Meet one of the following requirements:

• Successfully pass the ParaPro Assessment OR
• Complete at least 2 years of study at an institution of higher education OR
• Obtain an Associate’s Degree or higher

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

1. Communicate and detect information at levels to be able to make presentations and exchange information in person and on the telephone
2. Express oneself so others will be able to clearly understand
3. Constantly operate a computer keyboard and manipulate paper
4. Detect, determine, perceive and identify documentation and reports, and to observe students
5. Able to meet multiple demands from several people and meet deadlines with severe time constraints
6. Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time, in both indoor and outdoor environments, and regularly move and traverse in order to maintain a safe learning environment
7. Stamina to work irregular hours to include a full day
8. Work at a desk, conference table, small student classroom table, or in meetings in various configurations
9. Position self to be able to retrieve items overhead, above the shoulders, and horizontally
10. Move and transport moderately heavy objects

Position Type: Part-time

Job Categories:

• Special Education > Autism
• Special Education > Behavior Specialist / EBD
• Special Education > General Special Education
• Special Education > Life Skills
• Special Education > Mild/Moderate Disabilities
• Special Education > Special Education Assistant
• Special Education > Visually Impaired

Welcome to Portsmouth School Department

Our mission is to create a comprehensive teaching and learning environment which provides opportunities to students to become, to their fullest potential, responsible citizens, self-directed individuals, and life-long learners.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Portsmouth School Department provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Any person who believes they may need reasonable accommodations should contact the Director of Human Resources.

Information pertaining to Title IX and how to file a report, including the Title IX Coordinator contact information and the PSD Title IX Policy, can be found on our website .

About Portsmouth School Department

The Portsmouth School Department (PSD) comprises four (4) schools that serve approximately 2200 students and an administration building. Portsmouth High School is a comprehensive 9-12 high school, Portsmouth Middle School 5-8, Hathaway Elementary School K-4 and Melville Elementary School PreK-4. PSD employs approximately 340 staff members including teachers, administrators, counselors, nurses, and support staff including clerks, maintenance, custodians and paraprofessionals.

About the Town of Portsmouth

Portsmouth is a scenic town in Newport County, Rhode Island and is the second-oldest municipality in Rhode Island, after Providence. Portsmouth boasts a total area of 59.3 square miles, of which 23.2 square miles is land, including 4,000 acres of farmland and 36.1 square miles is water and 56 miles of coastline. Most of its land area lies on Aquidneck Island, which it shares with Middletown and Newport. In addition, Portsmouth encompasses some smaller islands, including Prudence Island, Patience Island, Hope Island and Hog Island. With a population of 17,349 (2010 U.S. Census), the town has one of the most progressive farm preservation programs in New England. The local economy thrives on its boating industry including its five (5) marinas. Portsmouth is centrally located on the eastern seaboard between the major metropolitan areas of New York and Boston. Situated close to interstate highways, I-95, I-195, and 24, Portsmouth remains easily accessible to the rest of the northeast. Portsmouth is located 4 miles north of historic Newport, 22 miles east of Providence, 10 miles south of Fall River, 65 miles west of Cape Cod, 70 miles south of Boston, and 210 miles east of New York City.

Job Requirements

• National Criminal Records Check (BCI)
• Associate degree preferred.
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Charity Shea
• 29 Middle Road
• Portsmouth, Rhode Island 02871
• Phone: [phone]
• Fax: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]

Map

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