Teaching Assistants, Special Education

25-9043.00

Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher to provide academic, social, or life skills to students who have learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

• Assist in bus loading and unloading.
• Assist librarians in school libraries.
• Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
• Carry out therapeutic regimens, such as behavior modification and personal development programs, under the supervision of special education instructors, psychologists, or speech-language pathologists.
• Clean classrooms.
• Discuss assigned duties with classroom teachers to coordinate instructional efforts.
• Distribute teaching materials, such as textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils, to students.
• Employ special educational strategies or techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, or memory.
• Enforce administration policies and rules governing students.
• Grade homework and tests, and compute and record results, using answer sheets or electronic marking devices.
• Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.
• Instruct students in daily living skills required for independent maintenance and self-sufficiency, such as hygiene, safety, or food preparation.
• Laminate teaching materials to increase their durability under repeated use.
• Maintain computers in classrooms and laboratories, and assist students with hardware and software use.
• Observe students' performance, and record relevant data to assess progress.
• Organize and label materials and display students' work in a manner appropriate for their eye levels and perceptual skills.
• Organize and supervise games and other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, and social development.
• Participate in teacher-parent conferences regarding students' progress or problems.
• Prepare classrooms with a variety of materials or resources for children to explore, manipulate, or use in learning activities or imaginative play.
• Prepare lesson materials, bulletin board displays, exhibits, equipment, and demonstrations.
• Prepare lesson outlines and plans in assigned subject areas and submit outlines to teachers for review.
• Present subject matter to students under the direction and guidance of teachers, using lectures, discussions, supervised role-playing methods, or by reading aloud.
• Provide assistance to students with special needs.
• Provide students with disabilities with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
• Requisition and stock teaching materials and supplies.
• Supervise students in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, school yards, and gymnasiums, or on field trips.
• Take class attendance and maintain attendance records.
• Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification or positive reinforcement.
• Tutor and assist children individually or in small groups to help them master assignments and to reinforce learning concepts presented by teachers.
• Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.

Technology Skills

• Calendar and scheduling software - High School Scheduling and Transcript HSST
• Computer based training software - Appletree; Children's educational software; Padlet; Quizlet; Schoology; Text to speech software
• Data base user interface and query software - Automate the Schools ATS; Blackboard software; Special Education Student Information System SESIS; Student information systems SIS software
• Desktop communications software - ClassDojo; ParentSquare; Tadpoles
• Device drivers or system software - Screen magnification software; Screen reader software
• Electronic mail software - Email software; Microsoft Outlook 🔥
• Internet browser software - Web browser software
• Multi-media educational software - Kahoot!; Seesaw
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software 🔥
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint 🔥
• Project management software - Google Classroom
• Spell checkers - Hand held spell checkers
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel 🔥
• Video conferencing software - Google Meet
• Video creation and editing software - Flipgrid; Loom
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥; Word processing software

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

Detailed Work Activities

• Supervise school or student activities.
• Assist other educational professionals with projects or research.
• Serve on institutional or departmental committees.
• Implement therapeutic programs to improve patient functioning.
• Clean facilities or work areas.
• Maintain clean work areas.
• Collaborate with other teaching professionals to develop educational programs.
• Distribute instructional or library materials.
• Develop strategies or programs for students with special needs.
• Enforce rules or policies governing student behavior.
• Evaluate student work.
• Maintain student records.
• Monitor student performance.
• Teach others to use technology or equipment.
• Teach life skills.
• Set up classroom materials or equipment.
• Maintain computer equipment or software.
• Display student work.
• Plan educational activities.
• Discuss student progress with parents or guardians.
• Develop instructional materials.
• Document lesson plans.
• Lead classes or community events.
• Assist students with special educational needs.
• Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
• Tutor students who need extra assistance.
• Create technology-based learning materials.