Educational Assistant Spanish Immersion (Special Education Department)

Job Title

International Spanish Language Academy (ISLA) is an IB Spanish Immersion PreK-5 school located in Edina, Minnesota. Our Mission: To empower the whole child by nurturing the development of personal growth, strong character, academic excellence, and global vision.

Position Duties And Responsibilities

• Assist special education teachers in carrying out responsibilities associated with immersion teaching assignments for students with special needs in academics, behavior, or social emotional skills.
• Work with small groups or individual students in math, reading, social skills, and other areas as needed, in both general classroom and small group settings.
• Proactively engage with staff, students, and families in a positive and helpful manner.
• Collaborate with team members, program specialists, program coordinator, executive director, and other staff regarding program implementation.
• Maintain knowledge of current and emerging trends, procedures, and evaluation processes in special education.
• Participate in in-service program planning and staff development activities.
• Collect data and use techniques aligned with the students' Individual Education Plans (IEPs).
• General supervision during recess, lunch, arrival and dismissal.

Education And Experience

• Native or near native proficiency in the Spanish language is needed.
• Functional proficiency in English is required.
• The position is required to be highly qualified, which requires at least 2 years of higher education (Associate's Degree) or successful completion of a ParaPro assessment.

Knowledge Skills And Abilities

• Ability to relate positively to elementary children.
• Enthusiasm and a strong commitment to the full immersion teaching philosophy.
• Enthusiasm and a strong commitment to inquiry, child-centered learning.
• Excellent proven communication skills (non-verbal, oral, written, and listening.)
• Good organizational skills and flexibility in relating to students, parents, peers, and supervisors.
• Must be able to work well in a team environment through cooperation and participation.
• Cultural competence in working with a variety of racial, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability to appropriately teach children with different ability levels and learning styles.
• Ability to understand that students are individuals, and the skill to work effectively with individual strengths and needs of students.
• Knowledge and ability to creatively instill the love of learning in students.
• Creatively strive to make connections with parents, other classes, community, and beyond.

Physical And Mental Demands

• Must be able to appropriately and patiently work well with school-age children in and outside of the classroom.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs, bend, and sit on the floor.

Working Conditions

• This position requires work mainly in a classroom setting as well as supervise recess, lunch, field trips, and other outdoor activities.
• This position also requires other duties and responsibilities as needed that may not be included in this job description.
• This position follows the ISLA school calendar, Monday-Friday, with a schedule assigned for 8 hours between 8:30am - 5:30pm.