Early Learning Center (ELC) Teacher Assistant

Terms of Employment:
Length of position: 9.5 months
Hours: 7:30 A.M- 4:30 P.M
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Assists the teacher to provide for the instructional needs of deaf, hard of hearing students in the Early Learning Center at TSD. Assists in the design and preparation of age and individually appropriate materials and learning experiences for the Early Learning Center. Assists the teacher with monitoring the students inside and outside the center and works with children on an individual or small group basis. Works under the general supervision of the ELC Director and immediate direction of the assigned Teacher(s).
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists teacher in preparing learning materials/experience set-ups and center displays for student and instructor use.
• Participates in the direct service planning in a team approach with Teachers and assist with lesson planning activity development.
• Helps teacher keep administrative records and prepare required reports.
• Assumes responsibility for the supervision and instruction of students in the absence of the Teacher.
• Conducts learning activities as assigned by teacher; works with individual children or small groups.
• Participates in child data collection, documentation and interpretation.
• Keeps the teacher informed of special needs or problems of individual children.
• Assists students in dressing and daily activities.
• Assists children with physical disabilities according to their needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting, or positioning, and signing or interpreting instructions for them.
• Assists children with the physical needs and personal care including feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene.
• Escorts and monitor children to and from the Early Learning Center to other places on campus such as the health center, gym, pool and buses. Also escorts and monitors children on off-site field trips.
• Assists and guides children during mealtime, modeling and teaching appropriate table behavior.
• Implements both individual and group behavior management strategies as instructed by teachers/supervisor.
• Assumes responsibility for learning and adapting to each child's special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs.
• With activities assigned by teacher/supervisor, works with individual children or small groups to nurture developmental milestones progression.
• Helps supervise students throughout the school day inside and outside The Early Learning Center.This includes playground, gym, pool, bus, field trips and community,
• Completes written behavior reports when necessary.
• Acts as advocate for students.
• Ability to perform physical requirements of the job including but not limited to, sitting on floors, lifting, transporting and supporting young children.
• Helps with inventory, care, and maintenance of equipment.
• Provides orientation and assistance to substitute teachers.
• Assists in maintaining and ordering supplies.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Educational Aide Certificate issued by the Texas Education Agency or the ability to obtain a valid Educational Aide certificate within 60 days of hire as required by 19 TAC §230.51.
• Experience in child care work or training in a child-related field
• Graduation from a standard senior high school or equivalent
• Sign Language: At hire, the applicant must have sign language skills equivalent to a Signed Communication Proficiency Interview (SCPI) level of ADVANCED.

QUALIFICATIONS DESIRED

• Proficient sign communications skills
• Experience working with special needs children in deaf education.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES/ATTRIBUTES

• Instructional Knowledge - knowledge of content; instructional methodologies, classroom management
• Problem solving-the individual identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Effective Communication-the individual must be able to appropriately communicate with colleagues, students, parents, families, administrators, supervisors, and the public.
• Planning/organizing-the individual prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently, and develops realistic action plans.
• Quality control-the individual demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness and monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Dependability-the individual is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction and solicits feedback to improve performance.
• Safety and security-the individual actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures, and uses equipment and materials properly.
• Interpersonal Skills-the individual maintains confidentiality, remains open to others' ideas and exhibits willingness to try new things.

SUPERVISOR
Early Learning Center Director
Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) Code:
None equivalent
It is the Texas School for the Deaf's (TSD) policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, political affiliation or belief, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. TSD expressly prohibits any form of workplace discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. Retaliation against individuals who oppose unlawful discrimination or participate in an employment discrimination proceeding is also prohibited. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, firing, promotions, training, wages, and benefits. In addition to federal law requirements, TSD complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.