Teacher Assistant, Special Education (Autism)

Loudoun County Public Schools (Virginia)

Forest Grove Elementary School, Virginia

Salary: Information not available

Position Overview

This is work providing instructional support, training, and personal assistance to teachers of

students with physical disabilities or intellectual disabilities.

Roles and Responsibilities

An employee in this assignment is responsible for assisting the teacher by performing instructional duties, preparing classroom materials, supervising student behavior, learning and applying specific behavior management techniques, performing clerical duties, and providing assistance with personal hygiene and physical care as required. The work is performed under the guidance and supervision of the teacher.
Provides individual and group instructional support as assigned by the teacher; assists the teacher by having materials ready; presents activities in any of the following developmental areas: cognitive, speech and language, fine motor, gross motor, social/emotional, and daily living skills; reinforces concepts and practice skills.
Collects and records student data such as skill practice, seizure occurrences, and toileting
Provides discipline in the absence of the teacher and maintains consistency with procedures established by the teacher
Implements behavior modification plans
Practices individual speech sounds, vocabulary, and syntax objectives with students as directed by the speech therapist; reads to students and asks questions to stimulate language development; presents language activities involving expressive and receptive areas of development
Supervises learning centers during independent student work and assists students in manipulating materials
Participates in classroom activities such as discussions and games
Operates computer and audiovisual equipment such as DVD, data projector, or smartboards
Performs related work as required

Qualifications

Graduation from high school and experience as a teacher aide or working with children
Ability to work under the supervision of the teacher, including following lesson plans prepared by teachers
Ability to work effectively with individual children and small groups, meeting the instructional objectives as established by the teacher
Physical ability to lift, position, and assist students as required
Ability to accept and adapt to the wide differences in student characteristics and abilities
Ability to operate standard office equipment, learn to operate video equipment, and learn to perform individual medical procedures when necessary
Good human relations and communications skills; patience and flexibility

This is a Title 1 school. All Title I paraprofessionals (Teacher Assistants) must have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent. Additionally, paraprofessionals have the following three options to meet the designation of highly qualified:

Complete two years of study at an institution of higher education; or
Obtain an associate’s (or higher) degree; or
Meet a rigorous standard of quality and be able to demonstrate, through a formal state or local academic assessment, knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing, and mathematics (or, as appropriate, reading readiness, writing, readiness, and mathematics readiness).

Reports to: Principal or Assistant Principal

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Months/Days/Hours: 10 months, 184 days, 7 hours per day
Salary Level: Universal Level 4

Salary Scale: https://www.lcps.org/compensation

Salary Range: $20.58 - $21.86

About Loudoun County Public Schools (Virginia)

Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) fulfills its mission of “Empowering all students to make meaningful contributions to the world" through deeper learning experiences, demonstrating instructional leadership across the Commonwealth and nation as a member of the Virginia is for Lovers Network 4.0 and by being recognized by the Virginia Department of Education as a School Division of Innovation.

Loudoun's 98 public schools offer more than 82,000 students an educational program that ranks among the best in Virginia and the nation. As the fastest growing county in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Loudoun continues its proud tradition of quality public education, maintaining an outstanding record of student achievement despite the pressures of surging enrollment.

Loudoun County Public Schools is the third largest school division in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the 41st in the nation.

LCPS centers equity as one of its foundational core values. For our community, equity means being committed to providing a safe, supportive, inclusive, affirming, and respectful environment for each student and staff member that fosters success, growth, and academic rigor. The cultivation of this environment requires us to reject and condemn the use of hate speech, racial slurs, antisemitism, and any action or behavior that discriminates based on race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, orientation, gender expression, socio-economic status, religion, ability, or other cultural identities or expression. Such noninclusive speech, behavior, and actions do not reflect who we are as a learning community.

We embrace and value the unique identities, backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and needs of each student and employee. Celebrating our diversity is important and helps define us as a school division.

Demonstrating the courage to address inequities and remove barriers represents an integral part of our collective effort towards excellence in education. Equity is the vehicle that leads to greater access, opportunity, and equality so that each student is empowered to make meaningful contributions to the world.

With rapid growth and expansion comes various jobs vacancies! We hope you will consider LCPS as you begin your career!

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