Teaching Assistant - ASD

Sylvania; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 36,341 - 40,940; Full time

Job summary

Washtenaw Intermediate School District is seeking a Teacher Assistant to support instructional programs for students. The role emphasizes collaboration with teachers, staff, and families to prioritize student needs and independence.

The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with preferred associates degree or credits and experience with disabilities. Training in behavior support and IEP collaboration is valued.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Associates degree or 60 hours of college credits preferred.
• WorkKeys, MTTC Basic Skills or ETS may be considered.
• Experience working with students with disabilities preferred.
• Experience collaborating in a team to support student programming.
• Experience with behavior management and student support strategies preferred.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates a strong commitment to equity, social justice, and inclusion in all practices and positions.
• Collaborates with the ASD team to provide a holistic approach to teaching students with ASD.
• Supervises students in classes and/or in the community.
• Implements strategies for student independence.
• Assists in implementing and monitoring IEPs through group and individual instruction with staff collaboration.
• Maintains attendance and supports daily instructional activities.
• Prepares materials, assists with housekeeping, and records student progress.
• Engages in professional development and keeps current with pedagogy.

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Associates degree

60 credits / college hours

WorkKeys

MTTC Basic Skills

ETS

Job description

The WISD's Mission

is to educate, serve, and advocate with students, families, schools and the community. We disrupt racial inequities, build just educational systems, and expand access for all learners. We value human potential while striving to support current and future generations of Washtenaw County to enrich as many lives as we possibly can.

The WISD’s Vision

is to be a leader in empowering, facilitating, and delivering high-quality, boundary-spanning, educational system that educates all children through an equitable, inclusive, and holistic approach.

SUMMARY

Assists teachers and other professional staff by performing a variety of duties designed to implement the instructional program for students. The Teacher Assistant must be willing to work collaboratively with all members of the team and school community in order to put student needs and independence at the forefront. The Teacher Assistant must also be willing to continue to learn and gain professional knowledge on best strategies in order to teach the students in our care.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Demonstrates a strong commitment to equity, social justice, and inclusion in all practices and position responsibilities.
• Demonstrates the ability to examine how his/her/their position (directly or indirectly) impacts educational inequities in student achievement outcomes.
• Engages in reflection and ongoing learning and development on critical concepts and terms identified in the Washtenaw ISD Educational Equity Policy including concepts such as cultural proficiency, racial equity, and systemic and structural inequities Supports WISD vision and mission to enhance achievement for all students.
• Demonstrates excellent customer service.
• Collaborates with the ASD team in order to provide holistic approach to teaching students with ASD.
• Supervises students in classes and/or in the community.
• Implements strategies for student independence.
• Integrates support services activities into the program's curriculum and the school day.
• Assists in implementing and monitoring IEP through group and individual instruction independently and through regular meetings and collaboration with professional staff.
• Follows individual behavior intervention plans.
• Manages and instructs students on appropriate behavior, using positive behavior support strategies consistent with Board policy and the student’s behavior plan, if applicable.
• Monitors health needs and implement specialized care programs under the direction of professional staff.
• Assists in self-care, eating/feeding and dressing, as well as medical intervention if necessary.
• Assists students in the pool during Aquatic Therapy sessions.
• Provides assistance to facilitate student needs, including implementation of ancillary designed service programs under the direction of professional staff.
• Participates in building and District level activities, staff meetings, student staff meetings, program meetings, in-service activities and other meetings as determined necessary for assigned students.
• Assists teachers and support staff in preparing materials, housekeeping, keeping records and recording student progress in an objective manner.
• Participates in professional development, maintains appropriate certification and qualifications and keeps current in changing pedagogy.
• Demonstrate operational knowledge of Internet and Web-related technologies.
• Demonstrates skills and comfort using the latest instructional online tools and technology.
• Provides assistance to the operation of the total school program.
• Participates in District and school initiatives, adheres to building and District school improvement plans.
• Supports WISD vision and mission to enhance achievement for all students.
• Supports a team-based approach to problem solving.
• Adheres to District and school rules and procedures.
• Conducts behavior to demonstrate appropriate role-modeling, collegiality and professionalism.
• Performs such other tasks as may from time to time be assigned by the supervisor.
• Maintains reliable attendance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• N/A.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Alternative requirements that may be appropriate and acceptable to the Board of Education may be considered. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma or equivalent - required.
• Associates degree, 60 hours of college credits,WorkKeys, MTTC Basic Skills, orETS - preferred.
• Experience working with students with disabilities - preferred.
• Experience working as a team member to solve problems and develop and implement quality programming.
• Experience working with student behavior management and instructional support - preferred.
• Experience using “Non-Violent Crisis Intervention” techniques and other behavior strategies - preferred.
• Experience in monitoring student health needs, distribution of student medication and implementation of student care plan - preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• N/A.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Demonstrates ability to read, analyze and comprehend instructions, professional journals and correspondence.
• Demonstrates ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of educators, parents, students and the general public.
• Demonstrates ability to express self clearly, both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrates ability to read, analyze and interpret information.
• Demonstrates ability to write clear, concise, objective notes regarding activities during the instructional day to third parties (families, outside agencies, others).

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Demonstrates ability to integrate technology into the everyday workflow if necessary.
• Demonstrates ability to use online instructional tools and technology.
• Demonstrates ability to utilize District technology and work to maintain proficiency, as required skill sets change with technology and/or the needs of the District.
• Demonstrates ability to work in a virtual online instructional setting if necessary.
• Demonstrates ability to use a personal computer (PC) or MAC in a networked environment to utilize the Internet and other electronic communication mechanisms.
• Knowledge of productivity applications such as Microsoft Office (word processing, spreadsheets, database and presentation software) is required.
• Demonstrates ability to follow data collection information to support functional behavioral assessment.
• Demonstrates ability to accurately use District-wide electronic reporting systems for attendance, etc.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Demonstrates ability to apply the concepts of basic math, algebra and geometry consistent with the duties of this position.

REASONING ABILITY

• Demonstrates ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Exhibits a high level of professionalism with the ability to handle confidential information, use good judgment, plan and handle complex projects and maintain a flexible attitude.
• Demonstrates ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Demonstrates ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed written or oral instructions.
• Demonstrates ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
• Demonstrates ability to use positive behavior support intervention techniques autonomously.
• Demonstrates ability to make reasonable student focused decisions autonomously.
• Demonstrates ability to implement various student plans simultaneously and report factually to the teacher.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

• Demonstrates ability to build rapport with others and to serve diverse publics.
• Demonstrates ability to take the initiative, work well with others as a collaborative team member and exhibit good communication skills.
• Demonstrates ability to work creatively and skillfully with students.
• Demonstrates ability to demonstrate initiative and understanding in working with students, staff and parents/guardians.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; swim; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee is regularly required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds such as books and teaching material or when assisting in student interventions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distant vision and the ability to adjust focus. The ability to travel to other buildings is required. The position requires the individual to sometimes work irregular or extended work hours and meet multiple demands from several people.

The position requires the individual to have the ability to manage the physical and emotional needs of students in a positive, student-centered manner.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTABILITY

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is quiet to loud depending upon the activity in the particular part of the day. The employee is frequently required to interact with the public and other staff. The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being and work out-put of students. The employee is exposed to infections at a greater risk than the average person. Occasionally the employee may be required to be outdoors for a short period of time, and therefore subject to varying weather conditions, for purposes of accomplishing the essential functions of this job.

FUNCTIONS OF POSITION DESCRIPTION

This position description has been prepared to define the general duties of the position, provide examples of work and to detail the required knowledge, skills and ability as well as the acceptable experience and training for the position. The description is not intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the duties of employees under supervision. The WISD retains and reserves any and all rights to change, modify, amend, add to or delete from any portion of this description in its sole judgment. This position description is not a contract for employment.

The WISD is an equal opportunity employer, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

TERMS

Position subject to terms, conditions, and calendar of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the District and Unit I AFT Local 3760. Starting salary ranging (dependent upon experience) from $36,341 - $40,940.

Washtenaw Intermediate School District is a drug-free workplace.

It is the policy and commitment of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation or any legally protected characteristic, in its educational programs, activities, admissions, or employment policies in accordance with Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, executive order 11246 as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and all other pertinent state and Federal regulations