This role involves providing direct teaching support to students with disabilities under the direction of a licensed special education teacher, assisting in the implementation of Individual Education Programs (IEPs) across various settings. Responsibilities include preparing instructional materials, collecting progress data, providing physical assistance (like toileting or feeding), and implementing de-escalation techniques for challenging behaviors.
Requirements summary
Candidates must possess a High School Diploma or GED, along with one of several educational benchmarks: 48 semester hours, an Associate’s degree or higher, or passing scores on the PRAXIS ParaPro Exam or an HCS equivalent assessment. Experience working with students with mild to moderate disabilities is preferred, and willingness to complete Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training is mandatory.
The purpose of this classification is to provide teaching support and services under the direction of a licensed special education teacher in the implementation of Individual Education Programs for students with disabilities in general or special education classrooms, one-on-one or in small group settings, or with special, more narrowly defined services, or as otherwise needed.
Hardy Elementary is a PreK-5 school located in Chattanooga, TN.
Our students are passionate, bold, and intelligent and we are looking for excellent teachers to engage and challenge them.
Our students exude energy and perseverance.
We have a beautiful neighborhood and school community and there is so much to be learned here!
Our teachers enjoy the strong support of powerful educators who want the best for our students.
We are looking for teachers who have the ability to build strong relationships with students and parents, who are energetic, and who possess high expectations for students.
We are looking for teachers who have strong classroom and behavior management skills, the ability to engage all students, resilience, passion, perseverance, caring, empathy, life-long learning, and the ability to listen.
Interested in being part of the #GREATNESS ON GLASS?
Join our team!
Responsibilities
Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out but may be considered incidental in the performance of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties herein described.
Training in or willingness to be trained in nonviolent crisis intervention techniques.
Competent use of verbal and nonverbal techniques designed to prevent or de-escalate students when acting out behaviors occurs.
Competence at and a willingness to incorporate consistent patterns of assertive communications including delivering a three part statement of empathy, verbalizing conflict behavior, and communicating a rectifying statement when behavioral conflict is apparent.
Ability to maintain a group during emergencies or a time when a teacher must be away from the group.
Provides educational assistance to students with disabilities; assists in preparing, modifying, and utilizing instructional materials to meet individual needs of students; assists with development and implementation of Individual Education Program for each student; assists with the data collection and progress monitoring of student’s physical, communication, social/emotional, and educational levels of development; uses special educational strategies and techniques to address students’ academic needs.
Provides physical assistance, including but not limited to toileting, positioning, lifting, carrying, feeding, personal hygiene, or other assistance as determined by specific student needs, to any student with disabilities based on a student’s Individual Education Program.
Oversees, monitors, or covers classes during the short term absence of the teacher.
Assists teacher and works with students during various class activities; prepares instructional materials for classroom use; assists with instructional and assistive technology, Assists with data collection and progress monitoring used to evaluate student performance and skill levels; Follows established procedures for ensuring students are safe.
Performs clerical tasks in support of teaching activities, office operations, and/or other school functions.
Responds appropriately to students’ inappropriate behavior(s).
Must be willing to be trained as needed and maintain certification in non-violent positive behavioral interventions and support methods to respond to, diffuse, de-escalate, and control aggressive behavior utilizing physical restraint as appropriate.
Assists students and models appropriate social and professional behaviors during community experience or work based learning.
Chaperones students on field trips occurring during the regular school day only.
Hold and attend regular parental conferences Develop and implement transition programming for students age 14 plus Work in collaboration with related service providers for students with communication disorders to teach and implement specialized communication systems May include providing general physical assistance to students with various disabilities.
Tasks may involve, but are not limited to, assisting students with toileting/feeding/other self-help and behavioral needs.
Participate in training programs related to delivery of IEPs or curriculum Maintain all required special education records, ensuring that they are complete, accurate and within all timelines.
Performs tasks requiring reading, handwriting, numeracy, oral and written communication skills, and the use of various equipment and technology in support of teacher responsibilities to assure compliance under the IDEA and to implement student IEP’s.
Demonstrates basic sign language acquisition, communication facilitation competencies, and Brailing skills as needed.
Communicates with supervisors, school officials, teachers, students, parents, vendors, the community, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities under the direction of administration or special education teacher/supervisor.
Attends staff meetings, parent meetings, IEP-Team meetings, or other meetings as required.
Other responsibilities may include lifting, transferring, and positioning students with physical support needs; appropriate use of assistive technology; feeding/oral-motor interventions; signing; Brailing instructional materials; augmentative systems; etc.
Complies with applicable district, state, and federal codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
Adheres to the Teacher Code of Ethics as defined by Tennessee Law.
Acts in a professional, respectful, and welcoming manner at all times.
Creates a customer-focused climate and provides quality services and support to schools, community, businesses, Superintendent of Schools, Board of Education, and other stakeholders.
Works collaboratively with all stakeholders.
Follows established procedures to ensure assigned areas are safe.
Maintains confidentiality.
Attends work and arrives to work on time.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education, Experience, and Qualifications Salary is based on a combination of relevant education and experience.
High school diploma or GED required; Must possess one of the following before reporting to work: (1) 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours; (2) an Associate’s degree or higher; (3) passing score on PRAXIS for ParaPro Exam; (4) passing score on HCS equivalent educational assistant assessment; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
Basic technology skills required; Completed TCIS training or the ability to complete TCIS training within first 60 days of employment; Experience working with students with mild to moderate disabilities in a school setting preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ability to learn and implement a variety of teaching strategies Proficient in verbal and written communication skills Ability to work collaboratively with students who have a variety of disabilities.
Compensation Grade: C Salary Scale
Market context
Teaching assistant roles in Tennessee
Teaching assistant roles in Tennessee are often shaped by school staffing needs and the ability to meet state or accreditation requirements for education and experience. Competition can be strongest for candidates who show dependability, energy, and a genuine ability to work with children in active indoor and outdoor settings. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save research time, then tailor your application to show child-focused experience and readiness for physical classroom support.
