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Special Education Teacher Assistant Job Description

What does a Special Education Teacher Assistant do?

A Special Education Teacher Assistant works alongside a lead teacher in a classroom to provide additional support and assistance to students with special needs or disabilities. They help create a positive and inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive and develop their skills, both intellectually and socially. The role involves providing one-on-one or small group instruction, adapting materials to suit individual learning needs, and maintaining accurate records of student progress. Special Education Teacher Assistants also play a key role in managing behaviour and addressing any issues that may arise during classes, while liaising closely with parents, other teachers, and support staff.

Our Special Education Teacher Assistant job description includes the Special Education Teacher Assistant responsibilities, duties, skills, education, qualifications, and experience.

Special Education Teacher Assistant Example


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If you need an example job description for a Special Education Teacher Assistant download the one below, alternatively we have many other Education job description samples and a job description library with over 3000 job descriptions templates that you can download for free.

What does a Special Education Teacher Assistant do?

A Special Education Teacher Assistant is responsible for providing educational assistance to pupils with learning disabilities in a primary or secondary school setting. This role involves supporting the teacher in the delivery of the curriculum and providing one-to-one support for pupils. Responsibilities include preparing teaching materials, assisting in the development of individual learning plans, helping pupils with academic assignments, providing emotional and behavioural support, and monitoring progress. The successful candidate should have a good understanding of special educational needs and be able to work as part of a team.

Special Education Teacher Assistant Role Purpose

The purpose of a Special Education Teacher Assistant is to provide support to teachers in the classroom, and to assist in the teaching of pupils with special educational needs. These needs may include learning or physical disabilities, behavioural problems, emotional challenges, or other conditions. The job role may involve providing practical help and support to pupils in the classroom, preparing materials, helping with preparation for assessments, and providing assistance with the teaching of specific subjects. The role may also involve providing emotional support and guidance to pupils, and offering advice and assistance to teachers.

Special Education Teacher Assistant Role

A Special Education Teacher Assistant supports teachers in providing educational instruction and services to children with special needs. This includes helping in the classroom, developing educational resources and providing support for students to ensure that they get the best educational experience possible.

Special Education Teacher Assistant Duties

  • Assist the special education teacher in developing and implementing individualized education plans (IEPs)
  • Help to identify the educational needs of students and develop appropriate learning plans
  • Assist in the planning and delivery of lessons to small or large groups of students
  • Provide support to students in the classroom and other learning environments
  • Assist in the development of resources and materials for use in the classroom
  • Assist in the assessment of students and the evaluation of their progress
  • Provide support for students outside the classroom, such as in the playground or on educational visits
  • Communicate effectively with parents, other teachers and support staff
  • Attend training and professional development sessions

Special Education Teacher Assistant Requirements

  • A caring, patient and understanding attitude
  • Experience of working in a special educational needs environment
  • Ability to work well as part of a team
  • Ability to work flexibly
  • Ability to work on own initiative

Special Education Teacher Assistant Skills

  • Patience
  • Communication
  • Organisational skills
  • Ability to work in a team
  • Ability to follow instructions

Special Education Teacher Assistant Personal Traits

  • Patience
  • Organisational skills
  • Strong communication abilities
  • Ability to work collaboratively
  • Understanding of special educational needs

How to write a Special Education Teacher Assistant Job Advert

Use our job advert template to write a job advert for posting on job sites and job boards. Our job advertising templates are carefully created to help you reach your audience and beat the competition to the best talent.

A job description informs the reader about a job, whereas a job advert’s main objective is to sell the job opportunity to attract as many suitable applicants possible. A job advert maybe the first touch-point a candidate has with your company so it is important to create a great impression.

Job Advertisements should enticing, so considering using short, exciting language which get the reader’s attention.

How to write a Special Education Teacher Assistant Job Description

To write a job description, we recommend starting with a job description template from our job description library, which contains examples for 800+ positions and professions. Our job description examples include a job summary with duties and responsibilities and skills and requirements, which can be personalised for your job vacancy.

Job Description Advice - Guidance on How to Personalise a Special Education Teacher Assistant Job Specification

The hiring process and recruiting new employees to fill your key roles requires a degree of personalisation if you are to attract the best employees in a competitive employment market. The right person for a crucial role or more senior roles will likely have other employers targeting them. As your job description will be the first point of contact, you need to nail your pitch and provide the best possible service.

Job Description Tips - Help on formatting a Special Education Teacher Assistant Job Specification

When creating your bespoke description and advert, you should cover and promote these points:

Job title: This should accurately reflect the role and include keywords that top talent might be using to search for jobs.

Job duties: The day to day duties, such as administrative tasks, which vary depending on the company and inform the candidate if they can complete the role.

Technical skills: These are the hard skills required through training, such as proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Soft skills: These include the interpersonal skills and general abilities the right candidates will possess. For example, the competency to prioritise multiple tasks, handle customer queries and customer complaints, work alone, or build a good relationship with coworkers.

The company's culture: Highlighting your company culture and values ensures employees thrive and find outstanding job satisfaction. Candidates that are not the right fit won’t waste their time completing the application process, meaning you can focus on qualified individuals and hire in a more timely manner.

Career progression: Including the career path will entice candidates looking for career growth. 

Training and development programs: Smaller companies may need employees with previous experience or provide educational assistance over internal training offered by larger organisations with more significant resources. 

Employee benefits: Compensation and benefits often fail to appear in job ads and while you may want to hold your cards close to your chest, failing to include them is a mistake. Consider answering common questions, such as working hours and paid leave. Researching the average salary for the role in these early stages will ensure you don’t waste your interviewer’s and the candidate’s time.

Skill gaps: Your company may need to bring in new skills beyond those required to complete the key role and duties. Thinking on an organisational level can be beneficial when contemplating skills diversity.

Legal requirements: Ensure your job advert and description does not ask for inappropriate or discriminatory personal details, such as age, marital status, or religion.

How to Hire a Special Education Teacher Assistant

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