Special Education Assistant

Special Education Assistant

Location: North Aurelius Elementary / Mason Public Schools / In-Person

Reports to: Principal and Special Education Director

About Mason Public Schools:

Located in the heart of Michigan, minutes from the State Capitol and Michigan State University, Mason Public Schools serves more than 3,200 students across six school buildings. A team of 500 talented educators and support staff serve our schools, exhibiting a high level of commitment to our students. Mason Public Schools is proudly supported by our community through the Mason Public Schools Foundation and the approval of a bond to improve classrooms, safety, transportation, technology, facility infrastructure, and furniture and equipment.

Your journey starts here: Every Student. Every Day.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI): Through authentic learning opportunities, Mason Public School is committed to an inclusive environment. Our students, staff, and community respectfully acknowledge and value the diverse cultures, lifestyles, experiences, perspectives, and identities of each other.

Job Summary: The Special Education Assistant assists in providing multi-tiered systems of support to students. The assistant works directly with students who have a variety of needs. Some of the responsibilities include providing one-on-one or small group instruction, supporting intervention strategies, and collecting data on student progress.

Qualifications Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Experience working with children
• Positive attitude and ability to build rapport with students
• Ability to work cooperatively with teachers and students

Qualifications Desired:

• Associate degree in education or college coursework in education and/or related areas
• Experience as an instructional assistant/paraprofessional
• Experience supporting students with behavioral needs and/or implementing behavior plans (preferred for this role)

Job Description:

The Special Education Assistant supports students in a classroom setting by providing instructional and behavioral assistance under the direction of certified staff. This position is designed to ensure an adult is consistently available to:

• Redirect behavior before it escalates using proactive strategies and consistent routines
• Consistently follow and support implementation of an established behavior plan (including documentation as directed)
• Support transitions and student regulation (e.g., structured movement, calming strategies, reinforcement systems)
• Help staff maintain a calm and positive learning environment by using de-escalation supports, supervision, and timely communication with the teacher/team
• Need for additional training in CPI or Handle With Care

Additional responsibilities may include:

• Provide general classroom support in a general education or special education setting
• Assist with individual or small-group tutoring in academics, social skills, and intervention work as assigned
• Assist with preparing, modifying, and organizing instructional/behavioral materials
• Direct/redirect attention and support student engagement
• Assist/monitor student movement around the building and support transitions
• Maintain confidentiality for all school-related information
• Perform other duties as assigned by the building administrator/designee

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

• This position requires long periods of standing, sitting, and walking.
• Occasional lifting of supplies and movement of classroom furnishings; may include assisting students as needed.
• Work may take place indoors and outdoors, with the possibility of travel for school activities/field trips.

Schedule:

Monday - Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, 7.50 hours daily, 37.50 hours weekly, August-June

Wage: $15.81 per hour

Benefits: Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, 6 School Closure Days, Retirement, and Holidays per the bargaining unit agreement.

Deadline: October 4th, 2026

All candidates are required to complete the StyleProfile™ assessment as a component of their application. This assessment is intended to be one component of the information used to assist administrators during the selection process. Once the application has been submitted, the StyleProfile™ assessment will be assigned and sent to your email. The StyleProfile™ assessment is approximately 30 minutes in length and is a multiple-choice format.