Special Education Assistant

DATE OF POSTING: September 1, 2026

Position: Special Education Assistant

Reports To: Building Principal and/or Supervisor of Special Education

Terms of Employment: 184-day work year (MNESPA Agreement)

This position is eligible for benefits.

Premium Platinum Health Plan (Medical, Prescription, Dental, & Vision) included.

Primary Function:

Works under the direction of a professional staff member to support and assist in the delivery of instructional programs and support services to students with special needs and disabilities.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

(These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.)

• Assist students (individually or in groups) with assigned class work to reinforce learning, concepts and skills.
• Assist staff with classroom management, implementation of positive behavior support plans, and the preparation and duplicating of class materials.
• Assist with the supervision and care of students in the classroom, lunchroom, playground, field trips and other assigned areas.
  • Assist students in the use of personal medical equipment (e.g., augmentative communication devices).
  • Assist students with personal care needs and daily living activities including, but not limited to, lunchroom, rest room, personal hygiene, essential life functions, moving about the facility, into and out of transportation and clothing.
  • Keep inventories, and records and perform other clerical duties as directed.
  • Prepare bulletin boards.
    • Assist with testing process and procedures and checks tests, quizzes, and workbook exercises as assigned.
    • Assist teachers and students with audio-visual materials.
    • Attends in-service and training programs, and school/parent meetings as requested.
    • Maintains confidentiality of information.
    • Perform all other duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor.

Other Job Duties

• Assistants may carry out teacher-planned instruction.
  • Assistants may maintain oversight of the classroom when the teacher is temporarily not available.
  • Assistants may report observational data to professional school personnel.
    • Assistants may assist the teacher/supervisor/principal with student discipline.

MARPLE NEWTOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED and; have completed at least two (2) years of postsecondary education; or possess an associate degree or higher , or meet a state or district rigorous standard of quality assessment. Must provide evidence of annually completing a minimum of twenty (20) hours of staff development activities related to assignment. Experience working with school-aged children is preferred. Specialized training in child development, personal care, and other related areas is a plus. Good oral and written communication skills, visual acuity, and the ability to hear and read are required. Must possess the temperament to work with students and adults exhibiting a wide range of emotions and have the physical ability to perform the essential duties including attending to the personal care of students.

Work Environment:

• Employee works primarily in a climate-controlled environment except when assisting with student supervision of outdoor activities, transporting students and field trips.
• The employee works with students needing assistance with essential life functions and personal hygiene care.
  • May be assigned to special education or regular education classes or other instructional settings.
  • Frequent standing with intermittent sitting, walking, kneeling and walking
  • Lifting up to 15 lbs. Heavier lifting up to 100 lbs, with assistance and as needed, when assisting physically and mentally handicapped students.
  • Occasional pushing/pulling, stooping, climbing, crawling, kneeling, bending, reaching and twisting.

Terms of Employment: In accordance with the MNESPA Agreement

The Information contained in this position description is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed. Additional duties may be assigned. The position holder must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. It is the responsibility of the employee to inform the MNSD Human Resources Office of any and all reasonable accommodations that will be required.

If you are offered a position with Marple Newtown School District, please be advised that the following information will be required before you are able to begin working:

State Police Clearance (Act 34)
Child Abuse Clearance (Act 151)


FBI Fingerprints (Act 114)


School Health Record - includes physical & tb test from within a year
Act 24 (PDE Form 6004) - Arrest/Conviction Report
PA Sexual Misconduct/Abuse Disclosure Release

The Marple Newtown School District is an equal opportunity education institution and will not discriminate in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, ancestry, disability, or other legally protected classification. This policy is in accordance with state and federal laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; and The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Inquiries may be directed to Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io.