Urbana School District #116
TITLE: Early Childhood Program Teaching Assistant
LOCATION: Urbana Early Childhood School
SUPERVISOR: Certified Classroom Teacher, Building Principal
JOB SUMMARY: Work under the immediate supervision of the assigned teacher and under the general supervision of the principal.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.
Be a part of instructional planning in the classroom as arranged by the classroom teacher.
Participate in debriefing sessions at the end of each session to evaluate the session, record data, and plan for needed changes.
Attend in-service training sessions as required by the principal/district.
Assist all students to successfully achieve independence, progress on his/her educational goals and objectives, meet their individual unique needs and engage in positive social interactions with peers.
Implement lesson plans and behavior management procedures developed by the classroom team.
Prepare instructional materials prior to class time and organize them so they are easily accessible.
Organize and maintain orderly classroom centers.
Facilitate instruction in large and small group activities as well as facilitate learning in child-directed activities.
Assist with tasks related to the food program.
Prepare classroom displays, bulletin boards, arrange for audiovisual equipment, etc.
Learn and use language intervention techniques (including sign language whenever necessary) to increase the child's language development during all activities and interactions with children.
Play with children in a manner that will contribute to the development of their self-esteem, curiosity, and thought processes in and out of the classroom.
Assist teachers with record keeping.
Maintain knowledge of individual child goals/objectives and family needs as appropriate.
Maintain a high level of professional behavior, including keeping confidential records.
Take children to the bathroom and assist children with personal care activities as needed.
Be a role model by demonstrating at all times the behavior that is expected of the children.
Assist staff and children to maintain a clean classroom environment, such as cleaning tables and chairs at the end of the day and putting chairs on top of tables in preparation for the custodian.
Follow classroom arrangements and procedures for bus arrival and departure.
Follow established procedures for documenting communications between family and school.
Collaborate with classroom and building staff to support all ISBE and district mandates and expectations.
Perform all other duties that are assigned by the classroom teacher and principal.
QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION
Must meet all requirements for the position as designated by the ISBE, Paraprofessional Certificate or 60 hours of college credit are required.
EXPERIENCE
2 years of school-based experience preferred
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Highly organized
Excellent communication and collaboration skills
Excellent problem-solver
Should be able to work with students with a history of behavior or learning problems
Proven to work under pressure and can prioritize multiple tasks
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Student Contact Days
EVALUATION: To be completed as per PNS by the principal with input from the classroom teacher.
START DATE: August 2023
NOTE: This is a position within the collective bargaining unit and is not an administrative position.
AN EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
REVISED: March 2017