Teaching Assistants, Special Education

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.

Interest Profile (RIASEC)

Common Job Titles

Key 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

Electronic mail software

Email software
Microsoft Outlook

Computer based training software

Appletree
Padlet
Quizlet
Schoology

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

Video creation and editing software

Flipgrid
Loom

Device drivers or system software

Screen magnification software
Screen reader software

Multi-media educational software

Kahoot!
Seesaw

Spreadsheet software

Microsoft Excel

Video conferencing software

Google Meet

Spell checkers

Hand held spell checkers

Office suite software

Microsoft Office software

Word processing software

Microsoft Word

Internet browser software

Web browser software

Presentation software

Microsoft PowerPoint

Project management software

Google Classroom

Calendar and scheduling software

High School Scheduling and Transcript HSST

Tools and Equipment

Computer mouse

Eye controlled computer mouse equipment
Foot operated mouse equipment
Trackballs

Adaptive communication switches for the physically challenged

Jellybean switches
Sound switches

Scanners

Data input scanners
Reading pens

Braille devices for the physically challenged

Braille slates
Braille styluses

Touch screen monitors

Interactive whiteboards
Wireless touch screen monitors

Game pads or joy sticks

Head operated joysticks
Mouth operated joysticks

Sand or water tables or activity centers

Sand tables
Water tables

Page turners for the physically challenged

Page turners

Writing aids for the physically challenged

Word prediction software

Visual presenters

Video magnifiers

Mobile medical services first aid kits

Emergency first aid kits

Balance or gross motor equipment

Play structures

Medical gas cylinders or related devices

Portable oxygen equipment

Laminators

Laminating equipment

Voice synthesizers for the physically challenged

Portable communication devices

Board games

Educational board games

Enteral feeding administration sets

Enteral feeding equipment

Cassette players or recorders

Audio tape recorders or players

Notebook computers

Laptop computers

Tactile toys

Pegboards

Liquid crystal display projector

Liquid crystal display LCD projectors

Laser printers

Computer laser printers

Televisions

Television monitors

Compact disk players or recorders

Compact disk CD players

Medical or surgical suction tubings

Oral suction tubes

Building blocks

Toy block sets

Letter or symbol boards for the physically challenged

Communication boards

Keyboards

Alternative computer keyboards

Digital camcorders or video cameras

Digital video cameras

Digital video disk players or recorders

Digital video disk DVD players

Telecommunication devices TDD or teletypewriters TTY for the physically challenged

Teletypewriters TTY

Childrens science kits

Science activity kits

Desktop calculator

Talking calculators

Video cassette players or recorders

Video cassette recorders VCR

Wheelchairs

Microphones

Intercom systems

Desktop computers

Overhead projectors

Personal computers

Detailed Work Activities

Maintain student records.

Assist students with special educational needs.

Monitor student performance.

Set up classroom materials or equipment.

Supervise school or student activities.

Teach life skills.

Assist other educational professionals with projects or research.

Clean facilities or work areas.

Collaborate with other teaching professionals to develop educational programs.

Create technology-based learning materials.

Develop instructional materials.

Develop strategies or programs for students with special needs.

Discuss student progress with parents or guardians.

Display student work.

Distribute instructional or library materials.

Document lesson plans.

Enforce rules or policies governing student behavior.

Evaluate student work.

Implement therapeutic programs to improve patient functioning.

Lead classes or community events.

Maintain clean work areas.

Maintain computer equipment or software.

Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.

Plan educational activities.

Serve on institutional or departmental committees.

Teach others to use technology or equipment.

Tutor students who need extra assistance.

Job Zone

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.

SVP Range: (6.0 to < 7.0)