Special Education Classroom Associate

Job Title:

Educational Support Personnel - Special Education Associate

Job Summary:

The Educational Support Personnel (ESP) assists teachers in delivering educational and behavioral interventions for students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). It also assists students with IEPs in general education classrooms to help students reach their academic goals. Due to each student's varied and individual needs, Special Education Educational Support Personnel may provide various support and assistance. It should be flexible in adjusting to student needs.

Qualifications:

High school diploma or GED

60 College Credit Hours and/or Passed ETS Paraprofessional Test

Bilingual preferred

Evaluation:

The performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the Board’s policy on staff Evaluation.

Reports to:

Building Principal

Terms of Employment:

This is a full-time, 9-month position covered under the Collective Bargaining Agreement in the Instructional Associates Category. Compensation is hourly, with pay and benefits determined by the Board of Education.

Compensation and Benefits:

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees' personal and professional well-being. Fifteen paid sick days and two paid personal days annually. Employees benefit from tuition reimbursement and Board contributions to major medical, dental, and vision insurance. Additional perks include 100% Board-paid term life insurance and access to an Employee Assistance Plan. To promote continuous growth, we provide extensive professional development opportunities, ensuring a supportive and enriching environment for our team members.

FLSA:

Non-Exempt

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Delivers educational interventions designed by Special Education teachers to help students meet educational, academic, life skill, behavioral, physical, social, and emotional goals.
• Assists teachers to enable learning with minimal disruptions to other students.
• Attends to the physical needs of students.
• Assists students with IEPs to complete assignments.
• Provides small group and tutorial instruction and supervision as directed.
• Provides preventative and follow-up behavior management to students exhibiting disruptive behaviors and documents these situations.
• Uses de-escalation techniques to assist with behavioral non-compliance and to work with students in crisis to enable their return to the proper academic setting.
• Implements a variety of behavior plans for students.
• Communicate effectively with staff, students, and/or parents regarding needs and concerns.
• Uses knowledge of student needs to make necessary modifications to daily activities.
• Assists in preparing materials needed for classrooms, including duplication, lamination, etc.
• Assists in and around the school with recess/lunch/bus duty and general assistance in hallways and classrooms.
• Participates in professional development as directed.
• Attends staff meetings as needed.
• It complies with district confidentiality guidelines, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
• Assists with translation to support the student, staff, and family if bilingual
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as determined by the principal or designee or as needs arise.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must demonstrate the ability to interact and communicate effectively with children with special needs
• Must demonstrate the ability to provide behavior management and crisis intervention
• Must demonstrate the ability to work as a team member providing services to children with special needs
• Must demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with others

Physical Demands:

The physical demands of this position include frequent sitting and standing for extended periods. Depending on the class/student assignment, the employee may occasionally lift, push, pull, and/or move up to 50 pounds. Repetitive bending at the waist, kneeling, stooping, and crouching to assist students are also required. Employees may reach overhead, above the shoulders, and horizontally.

ADA:

The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification.

This job description is intended to describe the minimum qualifications, duties, and responsibilities performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.