Special Education Assistant- Discovery Kindergarten

Special Education Assistant

Working under the supervision of teachers, Special Education Assistants are an essential part of the total instructional program. The services the Special Education Assistant provides include instructional support, clerical duties, student supervision and assistance, and behavior management. The overall role of the Special Education Assistant is to provide support services to the classroom teacher(s). Special Education Assistants are expected to implement programming as directed by classroom teachers, administrators, or the Case Conference Committee. Special Education Assistants are expected to follow the Bylaws and Policies of Special Education, their assigned school, and the school corporation in which their classroom is located.

Discovery Kindergarten is a fluid program designed to support special education students in kindergarten of varying levels of need.

Essential Job Functions

• Collaborate effectively with special education staff, general education teachers, therapists, and families to promote student success
• Maintain confidentiality and uphold the dignity of all students
• Provide individualized and small-group instructional/behavioral support aligned with students' IEP goals
• Collect data on student performance and behavior to support progress monitoring and IEP reporting
• Implement behavioral support plans and use positive behavior intervention strategies
• Supervise students as directed to ensure safety and engagement during transitions, meals, recess, and other school routines in various settings, including: playground, lunchroom, rest periods, loading and unloading buses, hall duty, bathroom, and other school locations.
• Assist students with self-care and daily life skills as needed, such as toileting (which may include changing diapers and/or lifting) and personal hygiene activities, such as brushing teeth, wiping/blowing nose, and washing hands.
• Deal with student bodily fluids in accordance with guidelines established as part of detailed universal precautions, lifting in/out of assistive apparatuses/equipment, and clerical tasks.
• Engage in other support tasks as directed or assigned by the teacher, school principal, or his/her designee, or the Director of Special Education or his/her designee.
• Special Education Assistants may be asked to ride/monitor buses if the need arises. When riding/monitoring a bus involves extending the workday, the Assistant will be paid for the extra time.
• Some Special Education Assistant positions require one-to-one services for students with challenging behaviors or other significant needs. The employee may be asked to follow that student for a number of years as they progress through the various grades and different levels, such as elementary, middle, and high school. This may result in different building assignments.

Equipment Use standard office equipment such as personal computers, printer, copier and fax machines, calculator, and telephone.

Travel Requirements Travel to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.

Pay Rate $15.75 per hour + .75 cent differential

Work Schedule The position's hours will be scheduled between 6.5 and 7.5 and will be finalized at the time of hire, depending on student needs. 182 days per year.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Ability to read and write. Willingness and desire to work with special needs children. Effective human relations skills including a calm and patient personality.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards

• Ability to stand for extended periods of time. Very Frequent
• Ability to lift 25 pounds. Very Frequent
• Ability to carry 25 pounds. Occasional
• Ability to work at a desk, conference table or in meetings of various configurations. Very Frequent
• Ability to see for the purpose of reading laws and codes, rules and policies and other printed matter. Very Frequent

License/ Registration/ Certification N/A

Education High School Diploma or GED. Experience Previous experience with special needs children is preferred.