Shelter School Classsroom Associate

Shelter School Classroom Associate

Great Prairie Area Education Agency has an opening for a Shelter School Classroom Associate.

181-Day Contract (7-hour days) beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. Starting pay: $15.30-$15.80/hour with a generous paid leave package in addition to a monthly cafeteria plan allotment of $746.20 and IPERS retirement.

This position will serve the Ottumwa Office in the Shelter Program- Bridges Learning Center.

Position Overview:

The associate support students in the classroom. There are 9 students in the classroom and a classroom teacher providing instruction. This associate will support the instruction throughout the day.

Qualifications:

The associate must be at least 18 years of age and hold a high school diploma or its equivalent. The candidate must have the experience or capacity to demonstrate positive interpersonal skills, cooperative teamwork, and excellent written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities:

1. Support students in accessing academic instruction, behavioral supports, and daily routines as directed by teaching staff.
2. Build positive relationships with students and provide encouragement, structure, and consistency throughout the school day.
3. Collect and maintain student data as directed, including academic, behavioral, attendance, and progress monitoring information.
4. Support students during transitions, classroom activities, community-based activities, meals, and other school routines.
5. Assist with preparation and organization of instructional materials and classroom resources, lunch, and snack times.
6. Participate in team meetings, staffings, and conferences as requested.
7. Maintain professional communication and collaboration with teachers, administrators, service providers, and agency staff.
8. Maintain confidentiality of all student information in accordance with district, agency, state, and federal requirements.
9. Participate in professional learning and staff development opportunities as assigned.
10. Assist in maintaining a safe, supportive, and trauma-informed learning environment for students.
11. Support implementation of de-escalation, behavior intervention, and crisis response procedures as trained and directed.
12. Complete documentation and reporting requirements as assigned.
13. Perform other duties as assigned by the classroom teacher, program administrator, or supervisor.

Physical Requirements:

1. Normal, routine levels of activity related to bending, carrying, climbing, hearing, lifting, reaching, sitting, standing, vision and walking, and may also involve above-average levels of activity at times that can't always be anticipated.