SOWIC Teaching Assistant at Laraway School SY 2026-2027

Souther Will County Cooperative For Special Education (SOWIC)

Title: Teacher Assistant

Qualifications:  Professional Educators License with Stipulations: Paraprofessional Educator Endorsement, or State Approved Paraprofessional (TAS), or Professional Educator License, or Substitue Teacher License

Reports to: Classroom Teacher, Itinerant, Building Principal, Program Administrator

Function: To provide instructional assistance to classroom teachers in efforts to facilitate the educational progress and growth of students.
 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

A. Planning and Preparation 

   1. Check functioning of assistive equipment (e.g. hearing aid batteries, oxygen 

       tank and tubing, communication devices, etc.). 

   2. Operate special equipment as trained and directed (program computerized 

       augmentative devices, braillers, etc.). 

   3. Make visual aids as directed. 

   4. Report concerns regarding technology equipment/supportive devices to 

       appropriate staff in a timely manner. 

   5. Assist in the preparation of instructional materials. 

   6. Assist in the construction and/or assembling of bulletin boards or other room 

       displays. 

   7. Keep accurate attendance records. 

   8. Collect, grade or correct student work as directed. 

   9. Copy, order, arrange, or gather materials as directed. 

   10. Observe and record student health needs (e.g., food and liquid intake) when 

       needed. 

  11. Observe and record data related to student interactions, initiatives, etc. 

  12. Maintain and organize student data files as directed. 

B. Classroom Environment 

   1. Supervise and assist arrival and departure of students, by meeting buses or 

       supervising entries, exits and grounds each day. 

   2. Escort students to various settings throughout the building (from washroom 

       and/or mainstreamed classes, passing periods, library, therapy sessions, etc.) as        

       requested. 

   3. Clean or assist students in cleaning designated areas as assigned. 

   4. Assist students in restrooms (supervise washroom breaks, changing diapers, 

       changing briefs, clothing, or personal hygiene ) as needed. 

   5. Supervise students at breakfast, recess and lunch when requested. 

   6. Escort, supervise and participate with P.E. duties and activities, as requested. 7. Model,    

       prompt, and reinforce appropriate social behaviors. 

   8. Facilitate appropriate social interaction among students. 

   9. Prompt students to utilize given strategies to assist in self-management. 

  10. Supervise classrooms or small groups, reinforcing appropriate behaviors. 11. Assist in the 

       follow through of planned behavior interventions. 

   12. Provide students with prompts and cues to utilize specific pro-social skills. 13. Provide 

       physical proximity for students when needed. 

   14. Transfer, lift, or position students as directed by appropriate professional 

       personnel. 

   15. Assist students in using wheelchair, stander, or other mobility devices when 

       needed. 

   16. Provide reinforcement utilizing established program models or individual 

       student plans. 

   17. Implement special systems/programs following training to assist student with 

      specific diagnoses (e.g. autism, Tourette, cognitive impairments, vision, hearing, physical    

      impairments, etc.). 

   18. Physical management of students. 

   19. Observe and record student use of adaptive equipment or devices. 

C. Instruction 

    1. Assist teachers with maintaining inclusive, learner-centered environments. 

    2. Supervise guided or independent practice in classroom or community. 

   3. Circulate, answering questions or providing assistance as requested. 

   4. Prompt students in utilizing previously learned strategies to solve problems and 

       gather information. 

   5. Facilitate students' active participation in cooperative learning groups. 

   6. Read to students, listen to students read, help students select free choice reading 

       books or appropriate reference resources. 

   7. Design educational material, instructional aides, and activities to support 

       learning under the direction of classroom teacher. 

   8. Under the direction of the teacher, review lessons, reinforce instructional 

       concepts, and provide drill and practice opportunities with individuals or small groups of     

       students. 

   9. Learn, utilize, and reinforce vocabulary appropriate to instructional activities, 

       student performance, assessment, and p