Job Title: Special Education - Educational Assistant
Department: Special Education
Classification: Classified, IIA
Reports to: Principal and Teacher(s) Assigned
Schedule: 7.5 hours per day / 184 days per year

Job Summary: Support inclusion of students with disabilities to access general education settings and peers. Provide instructional assistance to students under the direct supervision of a certified teacher. Assist in preparing, conducting, and managing of classroom activities. Assist students by providing help with educational, health, or language needs (depending on the assignment).

Essential Job Functions:

• Assist the teacher in the instruction and support of students at varying levels of need
• Instruct students in groups or individually
• Assist the teacher in monitoring and documenting the progress of students
• Provide input to the teacher on planning lessons and evaluating results
• Perform other tasks to assist the teacher, such as grading papers, preparing teaching materials
• If you are assigned a student with special needs, duties may include providing for students' personal care needs (i.e. transitions, sensory breaks, wheelchair transition, bathroom needs, recording medical and personal care needs, physical movement and lifting of students, )
  • If bathroom needs/toileting duties are performed, the employee is entitled to a 4% hygiene stipend.
• If you have bilingual skills, duties may include providing oral and/or written interpretation and translation for students and their families.
• Assist in supervision of students in the classroom as well as other settings, such as the cafeteria and/or playground
• Work effectively with and respond to people from diverse cultures or backgrounds.
• Perform other duties, as assigned

Qualifications:

• Prior experience in working with students recommended
• Bilingual preferred (The district's top languages are Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Vietnamese and Somali)
• Knowledge of English usage, spelling, mathematics, and a basic understanding of subjects and conditions in which the Educational Assistant is to provide assistance
• Knowledge of classroom practices and procedures and school operations and personnel
• Ability to project a pleasant manner and relate well to students and their requests for assistance
• Flexibility and patience in supervising and instructing students with a variety of skill levels
• Ability to plan and organize materials for use in instruction
• Ability to work harmoniously with others and to communicate appropriately and effectively, both orally and in writing, with students, parents, and staff
• Ability to maintain a high level of ethical behavior, which includes positive attendance record, and confidentiality of information about students and staff

Physical Demands: Moderate to high degree of physical stamina, with frequent lifting of up to 10 pounds and the possibility of lifting in excess of 50 pounds required in the physical assistance of students with special needs. Ability to move freely to various locations within the classroom and other supervisory settings (cafeteria/school grounds). Frequent standing, walking, sitting, and bending. Exposure to noise and activity of a school setting. Exposure to outdoor weather conditions. Work with frequent interruptions and maintain emotional control under stress. Use standard office equipment including computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment.

Education and Training Required: High School diploma or equivalent required; two-years of college or associate's degree preferred.

Multicultural and/or bilingual candidates preferred.