TITLE:  Teaching Assistant

TERM OF EMPLOYMENT:  10 Month

REPORTS TO:  Building Principal

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:   This is non-professional instructional work involving the responsibility for assisting a teacher in the education of students in a classroom or a laboratory setting.  Teaching assistants may contribute either general or specialized skills.  Employees in this class work under the general supervision of a certified teacher.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: Under the general supervision of a licensed or certified teacher, a teaching assistant may be assigned by the Board of Education to assist teachers by performing such duties as:

• Working with individual pupils or groups of pupils on special projects while the teacher is engaged in working with other pupils;
• Providing the teacher with general information about pupils to aid the teacher in the development of appropriate learning experience;
• Providing assistance in the development of instructional materials and aiding pupils to use available resources;
• Utilizing their own special skills and abilities in such areas as foreign languages, arts, crafts, music, and similar subjects;
• Supporting the teacher in providing an effective climate for learning.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:  Awareness of classroom instructional techniques; awareness of the development and use of instructional materials; good knowledge of specific field where specialization is involved; working knowledge of current instructional resources; ability to maintain discipline in a classroom situation; ability to read and interpret complex written material; ability to instruct children in a classroom setting; ability to speak clearly with good diction; ability to write legibly; dependability; good judgment; patience; neat appearance; good physical condition.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma or admission to a regionally accredited or New York State registered college.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCEPTANCE OF APPLICATIONS:  Eligibility for certification as a teaching assistant as evidenced by possession of a temporary license or continuing certificate.  Possession of a license or continuing certificate at the time of appointment.