Special Education Assistant | Susan Lindgren Elementary

Para 5-Special Education Assistant

The Special Education Assistant provides support to students with special needs under the direction of a special education teacher. This role involves assisting with classroom activities, implementing individualized education plans (IEPs), and providing one-on-one instruction. The Special Education Assistant helps students develop academic, social, and behavioral skills, ensuring they can participate fully in the learning process. Additionally, the assistant may assist with daily living activities, monitor student progress, and support teachers in adapting materials and lessons to meet students' specific needs. The goal is to foster an inclusive, supportive learning environment that meets the diverse needs of all students.

This role is assigned based on a student's current educational and support needs as outlined in the Individualized Education Program. If those needs change and one-to-one staffing is no longer required, the incumbent will be given priority access to other open paraprofessional positions within the district.

Duties and responsibilities include monitoring student's daily schedule and behavior plan for maintaining a safe and positive learning environment, communicating with supervising instructional staff and health care professionals to implement IEP objectives, helping implement and follow students' Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) under the guidance of the special education teacher, providing support with academic tasks, assisting in managing student behavior, supporting students in developing social, communication, and life skills, assisting with daily living activities, monitoring student progress, assisting the teacher in maintaining an inclusive, positive, and supportive classroom environment, communicating with instructional staff and health care professionals, participating in meetings and training sessions, supervising and escorting the student during emergency drills or actual emergencies, collaborating with the special education team when an assigned student is absent, and performing other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities include basic principles and practices of special education, different types of disabilities and their impact on learning and behavior, behavioral management strategies, school policies and procedures, basic child development and learning strategies, first aid and emergency procedures, working with students with special needs, implementing IEP goals and objectives, using adaptive technology, communicating clearly, managing behavior in the classroom, providing support for daily living activities, recording and reporting observations, adapting instructional strategies, working collaboratively, maintaining patience, empathy, and a positive attitude, remaining calm and professional, monitoring and supporting students, fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment, supporting students in building social, communication, and self-help skills, following instructions, and adhering to educational practices.

Physical demands include standing and walking for extended periods, mobility, lifting and carrying, bending and reaching, physical assistance, stamina, endurance, and dexterity.

Work environment includes a classroom setting, indoor and outdoor areas, a collaborative environment, varied student needs, a calm and supportive atmosphere, a dynamic and flexible pace, and an inclusive atmosphere.

Education and/or experience include a high school diploma or equivalent, additional post-secondary coursework, two years of college credits, an Associate's Degree or higher, a passing score on an approved formal academic assessment, previous experience working with children, training in first aid, CPR, or behavioral management techniques, and Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) certification.

Benefit information includes health and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance.