Early Childhood Special Education Self-Contained Alternate Teacher Assistant

Providence Public Schools District (PPSD) seeks an exceptional Early Childhood Special Education Self-Contained Alternate Teacher Assistant who is excited to join our community of teachers, students and stakeholders. This is an exciting opportunity for teacher assistants who seek a challenging yet rewarding experience.

We serve approximately 22,000 students at 37 elementary, middle, and high schools. Approximately 55% of students come from homes where English is not the primary language spoken. Combined, our students and families speak over 55 different languages and hail from 91 countries of origin. In PPSD, the teachers and teacher assistants set high expectations for academic achievement, provide equal access to differentiated instruction, and endeavor to close the achievement and opportunity gap among historically marginalized subgroups within the schools. PPSD is a great place for those who desire an environment that supports their creativity and ingenuity, and respects their credentials and abilities as a teacher and/or teacher assistant.

The Teacher Assistant reports directly to the Principal or designee and works under their guidance and supervision. This role maintains collaborative and professional relationships with all school staff while supporting students with significant and complex special education needs. Teacher Assistants in self-contained alternate classrooms support students who require a highly structured learning environment and may participate in alternate assessment. Responsibilities include assisting with individualized instruction, reinforcing academic and functional skills, and supporting students' social, emotional, and daily living needs to promote independence and access to learning.

This role requires the Rhode Island Early Learning and Development Foundation training certificate and/or willingness to work towards the Rhode Island Early Learning and Development Standards (RIELDS) based curriculum.

The safety of school children is an important responsibility of the teacher assistant program. As such, please note that all teacher assistants MUST be available for bus monitoring assignments and will be paid in accordance with the additional hours worked.

Contingent upon funding

Education Requirements:

• Associate's degree
• OR
• 48 college credits
• OR
• Passing score of 461 on the ParaPro Test

RIDE Certification Requirements:

• Teacher Assistant Training Program Certificate

Description of Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Participate in daily and long-range lesson and classroom activity planning.
2. Conduct learning exercises with small groups of students.
3. Guide students in developing positive relationships with peers and adults.
4. Assisting with the supervision of pupils in the classroom, corridors, school yards, lavatories, cafeterias, etc... and on field trips.
5. Assist Pre-K through 5th grade students with toileting, dressing, feeding, positioning, and self-care, which may include diaper changes. Alert the teacher to the special needs of individual students.
6. Collecting and distributing educational materials.
7. With teacher supervision, correct students' work and prescribe additional work to remediate student's weaknesses.
8. Operating machines which duplicate or copy information for distribution to pupils.
9. Assisting the teacher to meet the many personal and physical needs of the child.
10. Under teacher supervision, participate in discipline procedures and prescribe consequences for student behavior.
11. Assist teachers in devising special strategies for reinforcing behavior or academic skills based on a sympathetic understanding of individual students, their needs, interests, and abilities.
12. Serve as the chief source of information and help to any substitute teacher assigned in the absence of the regular teacher.
13. Commit to attend ongoing professional development sessions; such as those offered by RIDE, the Providence School Department, and Local Union 1033.
14. Perform additional teacher assistant duties as requested.

EEO Statement

Providence Public Schools is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that is actively seeking to increase minority recruitment among its administrators and teaching staff. PSD does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, color, disability or veteran status. All programs are open to all individuals, regardless of their race, age, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, color, disability or veteran status.

Notice of E-Verify Participation and Right to Work

Providence Public School District participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all participating employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. Please review the following posters for more information:

• Notice of E-Verify Participation (English/Spanish)
• IER Right to Work Poster (English/Spanish)