What does a Special Education Teaching Assistant do?

According to people in this career, the main tasks are...

TaskImportance
Provide assistance to students with special needs.
91%
Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification or positive reinforcement.
89%
Supervise students in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, school yards, and gymnasiums, or on field trips.
87%
Provide students with disabilities with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
83%
Carry out therapeutic regimens, such as behavior modification and personal development programs, under the supervision of special education instructors, psychologists, or speech-language pathologists.
82%
Tutor and assist children individually or in small groups to help them master assignments and to reinforce learning concepts presented by teachers.
81%
Employ special educational strategies or techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, or memory.
80%
Enforce administration policies and rules governing students.
80%
Observe students' performance, and record relevant data to assess progress.
80%
Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.
79%
Present subject matter to students under the direction and guidance of teachers, using lectures, discussions, supervised role-playing methods, or by reading aloud.
77%
Discuss assigned duties with classroom teachers to coordinate instructional efforts.
77%
Grade homework and tests, and compute and record results, using answer sheets or electronic marking devices.
76%
Instruct students in daily living skills required for independent maintenance and self-sufficiency, such as hygiene, safety, or food preparation.
76%
Prepare classrooms with a variety of materials or resources for children to explore, manipulate, or use in learning activities or imaginative play.
76%
Assist in bus loading and unloading.
74%
Distribute teaching materials, such as textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils, to students.
74%
Organize and supervise games and other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, and social development.
73%
Take class attendance and maintain attendance records.
72%
Maintain computers in classrooms and laboratories, and assist students with hardware and software use.
70%
Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
69%
Prepare lesson outlines and plans in assigned subject areas and submit outlines to teachers for review.
68%
Participate in teacher-parent conferences regarding students' progress or problems.
68%
Clean classrooms.
65%
Assist librarians in school libraries.
62%
Organize and label materials and display students' work in a manner appropriate for their eye levels and perceptual skills.
62%
Prepare lesson materials, bulletin board displays, exhibits, equipment, and demonstrations.
60%
Requisition and stock teaching materials and supplies.
58%
Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
57%
Laminate teaching materials to increase their durability under repeated use.
56%