Considering this part-time job in a school

[samy23]

I saw a job vacancy for kindergarten/elementary school teachers assistant, but it's only a part time position, which seems strange to me. It says just for either mornings OR afternoon sessions, but not both. Has anyone else heard of this before? My dd is in school and her teacher's assistant is in class the whole day 9-3. Thoughts?

[ASusan]

My first thought is they don't want someone more than part-time so they don't have to pay benefits. But I'm not sure public employment is similar to private employment in that way.

[Emmeline II]

I've seen TA jobs advertised as part-time on my district's employment site.

[WednesdayO]

I know that in some areas, schools still share assistants among different classrooms and some only have kindergarten half-days. There are other possible reasons such as an assistant that is going back to school to become a teacher or something like that. Sometimes schools hire someone to fill in the hours that person is at college.
 

I'd just call someone and find out. Good luck!
 

[CarrieMF]

There are a few reasons why it would be part time, most based on you working with a specific special needs child,

A) If the K class only comes mornings or afternoons & they haven't decided which slot a new kid coming into the school would attend.

B) the time when they need someone the most is going to be the am or the pm.

C) you could be working with a kid who has 2 TA's & they split time because the job is so demanding.

D) It is a trial & may turn into full time.

E) they don't have the funds to pay for someone full time but are in need of someone & even part time is better than full time.

F) the child is on modified hours & therefore isn't there as long as other kids.

G) the child attends support classes in the am or pm & therefore you're only needed for the times the child is in the classroom.

I'm in my 2nd year of TA'ing & subbing.  i've done pretty much all of the above.

I was in a part time job becasue the kid I worked with was so demanding they had 2 ta's split time.  The first year I worked AM & the other TA worked the pm.  THis year I was with the same kid & worked full days but every other day.  I now switched jobs & am full time in a different school.  The girls I primarily work with now go to social skills classes. I do not go with them, I stay in the class.  Other TA's have been hired in kindertarten part time becuase they only needed help the days/times that kid was there.  

Quite a few part time TA positions turn into full time. Even if it doesn't the first year you now have your foot in the door to get onto full time.

I worked in 2 different school divisions.  The one I work in now I am not hired by the school, but by the division.  I am in Middle School, next year I could be here, in elementary or in highschool, or not have a job at all.  When I was part time last year I subbed in this division.  Another TA I work with subbed for 3 years before she was offered a contract.  Prior to getting my part time job I was a noon supervisor, I worked 1 hour a day.  I loved that job.lol

[laurabfig]

I work in special education, and a lot of times a TA is needed for only a specific number of hours to meet a legal requirement on a students Individual Education Plan (IEP).

In our district, part time employees still get benefits; they just have to pay a bit into the premiums.

Good luck!