Position Type:
Support Staff/Special Education Assistant

Date Posted:
1/12/2022

Location:
Lake Forest High School

Date Available:
06/08/2022

Closing Date:
04/29/2022

Lake Forest High School is seeking Special Education Teacher Assistants for Extended School Year (ESY) to support the Instructional Reading/Math Program, NET, Transition Program, and Educational Life Skills Program.

The ESY dates are from June 8, 2022 through July 12, 2022, Monday-Thursday mornings from 7:30 am to 12:00 pm. There will be no school June 27th - July 4th.

Description: The Special Education Teaching Assistant supports students eligible for special education in the classroom, community, work sites, and/or other instructional locations. The responsibilities of this position include adapting classroom, community, vocational tasks and activities, assignments and/or materials under the direction of a special education teacher for the purpose of supporting and reinforcing curricula and IEP objectives. The Special Education Teaching Assistant works under the direction of a certified teacher and is expected to exercise independent judgment, a high degree of confidentiality, creativity, organizational skills, and be able to react appropriately in crisis situations.

Essential Functions:

• Serves as an instructional assistant to the classroom teacher and adapts classroom activities, assignments and/or materials under the direction of the supervising teacher for the purpose of supporting and reinforcing classroom and vocational objectives and meeting IEP goals
• Administers classwork, tests, homework, make-up work, etc. for the purpose of supporting teachers in the classroom and the community setting
• Communicates with supervising instructional staff, work site staff, and professional support personnel for the purpose of communicating progress and/or implementing IEP goals and objectives
• Implements, under the supervision of assigned teacher, research based interventions and best practices for the purpose of presenting and/or reinforcing learning concepts
• Assists with evaluation of student skills and data collection for monitoring student IEP goals
• Intervenes in potential conflicts utilizing appropriate physical and/or therapeutic approaches for the purpose of defusing confrontations and minimizing disruptions
• Prepares and maintains instructional materials, manuals and electronic files/records for the purpose of ensuring availability of items, providing written reference; and/or meeting students' needs
• Monitors and implements students' daily schedule (e.g. class schedule, toileting, appetite, work schedule, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining a safe and positive learning environment
• Assists with the implementation of the behavior management plan (BIP) including behavior escalation, Crisis prevention intervention (CPI) and positive behavioral strategies under the direction of the teacher or related services faculty
• Assists with toileting, including transferring and while maintaining the dignity and confidentiality of the student if needed
• Assists with the transfer and support of student while attending physical therapy or other related services if needed
• Assists with escorting students to and from events, activities, and other programming, including loading and unloading of students from bus or other school vehicles
• Drives students using the district vehicle to and from events, activities, and other programming related to course learning objectives
• Serves as a daily supervisor of the student during events, activities, meals and other programming (e.g. daily walks)
• Supports the daily living of our students including support of clothing, oral hygiene, and as appropriate, feminine hygiene
• Provides, under the supervision of assigned teacher, instruction to students in a variety of individual and group settings for the purpose of reinforcing instructional, functional and vocational and IEP objectives
• Attends meetings and in-service presentations for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information related to job functions
• Assists with general office clerical tasks (filing, copying, etc.) as related to IEP records management
• Helps students develop, learn, and self-monitor social skills, executive functioning skills, and social emotional skills
• Helps students with health related services as directed by school nurse which may include observing and recording individual student health needs
• Maintains and respects confidentiality of student information
• Performs other job related duties as assigned by direct supervisor
• Adheres to Board of Education policies and procedures

Hourly Rate: ?Current employees will receive their current school year hourly rate throughout the program.

Qualifications:

Education, Experience, and Licensure:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Illinois Professional Educator License with Stipulations (PARA)
• Valid Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Certificate
• Ability to obtain a valid Non-CDL License for the purpose of transporting students to community activities, vocational sites, etc.
• Experience working with children and/or adolescents with disabilities - preferred
• Experience with office and school-based management systems - preferred

Competencies:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and positive problem solving attitude
• Comfortable and pleasant demeanor in busy environments
• Ability to:
  • work under pressure
  • work with speed, attention to detail, consistency, and organization
  • deal with multiple tasks
  • work harmoniously, cooperatively, and effectively with all stakeholders
  • meet deadlines
  • work effectively within office and school-based management systems
  • collect basic data and enter the information into spreadsheets
  • implement Nonviolent Crisis Interventions
  • recognize dangerous situations and to prevent accidents
  • motivate students as to the value of learning the curriculum and inspire positive performance
  • transport oneself to different student vocational sites throughout the day, including transporting oneself to and from high school campuses
• Proactive in addressing needs and problem-solving
• Demonstrate a commitment to excellence, high expectations and to the academic and personal well-being of all students
• Flexibility and willingness to assist in general departmental responsibilities
• Maintain confidentiality
• Adhere to Board of Education policies and procedures

Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, reach, grasp, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push, pull, and lift. Repetitive motions are required. The employee must lift and/or move up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and up to 20 pounds of force constantly. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly subject to inside and outside environmental conditions and is subject to noises associated with both office and educational environments.

Application Procedure: Interested candidates must apply online. Click here to access the online application.

To learn more about Lake Forest High School, visit our website at www.lakeforestschools.org.

To Inspire the Passion to Learn, the Insight to Know Oneself, and the Courage to Make a Difference